Re: Install XP on a Vista laptop?

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"JMF" <jfavaro@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:%23v0lkQ7zIHA.3968@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I bought XP Pro for my desktop.

Now I'm in the market for a new laptop. The new laptops seem only to have Vista on them.

This is not exclusively the case. It's certainly not the case for laptops designed for the business market. There, you can usually get XP Pro as an option.,

Note that Business and Ultimate versions of Vista qualify for XP Pro downgrades - this does not apply to any version with the word HOME in the name.

Before you start you must absolutely be sure that the laptop manufacturer has all the XP drivers you need for that system, available for download.

If these are not available, do NOT proceed.


I'm curious about removing the OEM Vista and replacing it with my XP Pro that I bought.

That raises two questions:

- am I allowed to take the XP Pro that I bought and also install it on my laptop?

If it's a retail version and not installed elsewhere, yes. If it's installed elsewhere or is an already-installed OEM version, no.


- what kind of trouble am I asking for (and I'm sure there is trouble, ranging from "some" to "plenty") by replacing the original OEM Vista with XP Pro?

The best thing to do is to get a system with the OS you actually need, in the first place. This will enable all the warranties and support plans.

The next easiest thing to do is remove the original hard disk, set it aside, and do the XP install to a new drive.

The worst thing to do is to remove Vista from the system, and then install XP to a system that has no available XP drivers. You are most likely to disable key components.

Get the *right* laptop in the first place.

HTH
-pk


Thanks for any inputs/opinions/facts.

John



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