When I try to load XP - where it would say your HDD info on wheere you want to install it, it says that there isn't any Hard drives on the system.
I will update after I try the Gnome Partition Editor.

I am wondering if either gateway or Vista is blocking it somehow...
I dunno.

I did click your thanks button.
What does that do anyways?

You can use Vista to create partitions.Go to disk management.

Use the link and create a partition of at least 20 gigs for XP to be installed on.

Windows Vista Help: Create a boot partition

You can ignore warning on link about installing Xp first you can still dual boot with Vista already installed.

Then the new partition will be assigned a drive letter then reboot=restart machine enter BIOS=Setup set first boot to CD/DVD rom put in XP disk save and exit.Choose the drive you wish to install XP on wich will not be C drive.You cannot down grade Vista=C drive to XP.That is why we create a partition or uninstall Vista.

Or do this to create a partition.

To create a new partition using the Vista CD proceed as follows:
1/ Switch on your PC
2/ Quickly insert the Vista DVD into your CD/DVD-ROM drive
3/ A message will appear asking you to 'Press any key to boot from CD/DVD
4/ Press any key
5/ A black screen will now appear with a progress bar along the bottom. The legend say's 'Windows is loading files'
6/ After the files have been loaded the Language screen will appear.
7/ Select your language from the list and press Next
8/ At the Installation screen press the Install Now button
9/ The product key window will now open
10/ Type your product key number into the available box and then press OK
11/ The End user Licence Agreement now appears. You 'must' accept this to continue
12/ The next screen to appear is 'Where do you want to install Windows'
13/ At the bottom of this window you will see an option marked Drive options (Advanced), click on this option
14/ In this Window select 'unallocated space' from the list of partitions and then click New
15/ A size box will now appear under the New option
16/ Type the size of the new partition into this box (or simply accept the default), then click the Apply button

The thanx button is a thankyou for help and a usefull post.

Here are some usefull links on boot.ini file,only use if you cannot boot into one or the other operating systems.

How to edit the Boot.ini file in Windows XP

Windows Vista no longer starts after you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system in a dual-boot configuration


Remove Windows Vista From Dual Boot System:John Barnett's Windows Vista Support: Remove Windows Vista from A Dual Boot System

Y'know if I make it dual boot and then remove Vista, that would probabaly work if Imy niece only wants XP.
Thanks for all of the cool links.
I had all kinds of Partitioning programs and the Gnome Partition Editor (also referred to as Gparted) was by far the best and easiest.
I will keep updating on my progress.
So far I partioned and I installed Vista, now i am doing updates and stuff then I will try to get XP on there.

You have been a lot of help.
You don't know how frustrating this has been....

OK I got Vista back on and on a 45 GB partition and I had a 90 GB NTFS partition and I went to load XP and it should see the Vista and the other partition and it doesn't.
I even went and made that 90GB area unallocated and it still doesn't see it.
Do I need a driver or something to get it to see the Hard drive.
According to XP - it thinks I don't have a Hard drive at all.
I am still stuck!!
Any other ideas?

Y'know I think I need to load the SATA Mass Storage Device driver for XP and if I use the F6 method to install rai drivers etc when you first run the XP disc it asks that you install them froma floppy. I have tel files for the floppy but this is a laptop with no floppy. What can I do? It wont let me load it from a CD- is there a way to have it load from a USB flash drive?
I am stuck!!

you need to create a floppy emulation--

Making bootable CDs - a step by step guide