Re: Dump Vista and downgrade to XP?

mrcapi937 wrote:
After trying for several months and not being able to print and haveing
numerous other errors I am ready to go back to XP. I purchased this
laptop new and it came with Vista Home Basic. I am tired of finding new
compatibility issues every week and I still can't print properly.


Why not just obtain the Vista-specific device drivers from the printer's manufacturer and install them?


Is it
possible to downgrade to XP without re-formatting so I don't have to
reload everything?


Absolutely not. I've never heard of any operating system that allows for an in-place downgrade.

I have a licensed XP upgrade cd will it work?



Only if you also have an available and valid license, with installation media, of an earlier, qualifying OS, such as Win2K or Win 98/Me.

Additionally, there could be a couple possible adverse repercussions of which you should be aware. First and foremost, if the specific computer model in question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's diverse components work properly. Consult the computer's manufacturer about the availability of device drivers. Secondly, removing an OEM-installed operating system and replacing it with another will almost invariably void any and all support agreements and, possibly, even the warranty. You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista before getting any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the computer's manufacturer for specifics. Thirdly, there will be the additional cost involved in purchasing a WinXP license for this new computer.

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then, assuming you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific device drivers so that the computer can be made to work with WinXP, the backed up data can be restored and applications (those that are WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.



--

Bruce Chambers

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Relevant Pages

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