Re: Overwriting Vista Home Premium with XP Pro

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Wendy wrote:

Hi, I have just purchased a brand new laptop that came with Vista Home
Premium pre-installed (but has recovery disk) - I want to install XP Pro
instead as Vista is not compatable with the programs I wish to run. I
have booted from my XP install disk and it goes through set-up quite
happily until it gets to starting Windows.....
I gives me the normal options i.e. return to format current drive, D to
delete etc.. but in the box it displays <There is no disk in this drive>
if I return or select D I get the following error:

"A problem has been detected & windows has been shut down to prevent
damage.
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA"

I am presuming that the Vista is protected in some way, can anyone help me
please?

Vista isn't "protected in some way". The hardware in your computer isn't
compatible with XP and something is failing. Here is general information
about replacing Vista with XP. Frankly, since this is a brand-new computer
I sugget you do Item #6.

On an OEM (HP, Sony, etc.) computer:

1. Go to the OEM's website and look for XP drivers for your specific model
computer. If there are no XP drivers, then you can't install XP. End of
story. If there are drivers, download them and store on a CD-R or USB
thumbdrive; you'll need them after you install XP.

2. Check with the OEM - either from their tech support website or by calling
them - to see if you will void your warranty if you do this. If you will
void the warranty, you make the decision.

3. If the OEM does support XP on the machine, call them and see if you can
have downgrade rights and have them send you an XP restore disk. This will
be far the easiest and best way of getting XP on the machine.

4. If XP is supported on the machine but the OEM doesn't have an XP restore
disk for you, understand that you'll need to purchase a retail copy of XP
from your favorite online or brick/mortar store.

5. Also understand that you will need to do a clean install of XP so if you
have any data you want, back it up first.

6. If none of the above is applicable to you because you can't run XP on
that machine (see Item #1 above), return the computer and purchase one
running XP instead.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

.

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