Guest Bugsy Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any problems to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the downgrade have to be done by a pro? Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? Thanks for any advice.
Guest p Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro Bugsy wrote: > I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an > option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. > > Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any problems > to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the downgrade > have to be done by a pro? > > Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? > > Thanks for any advice. > > Usually, the computer is delivered with XP and the Vista DVD is delivered as well but not installed. P
Guest R. McCarty Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro If at all possible, buy a machine with XP factory installed. With each new product line it's getting more difficult to find XP drivers for newer peripherals. Even though XP will have support through 2014 keep in mind that a PC has a 4-6 year life span. It's not so much an issue today, but over time you'll find both software and hardware that is supported ONLY for Vista and it's 2010 successor - Windows 7. Specifically on new hardware the on-board Sound chip ( SigmaTel & others ) can be difficult to find fully working XP drivers. You could do the roll-back yourself but it's better to get the machine pre-loaded with XP. "Bugsy" <Bugsy@bugtrap.com> wrote in message news:uiItK3R2IHA.2384@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an >option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. > > Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any > problems to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the > downgrade have to be done by a pro? > > Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? > > Thanks for any advice. >
Guest philo Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro "p" <p@nospam.cn> wrote in message news:g45ch0$qoc$1@aioe.org... > Bugsy wrote: > > I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an > > option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. > > > > Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any problems > > to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the downgrade > > have to be done by a pro? > > > > Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? > > > > Thanks for any advice. > > > > > > Usually, the computer is delivered with XP and the Vista DVD is > delivered as well but not installed. > > P No that is not the usual case... What I'd do is first give Vista a try...it may work out perfectly fine. If not...be sure to check that XP drivers are avail before wiping out Vista and installing XP
whittier Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro If at all possible, buy a machine with XP factory installed. With each new product line it's getting more difficult to find XP drivers for newer peripherals. If you get the computer with XP factory-installed, the manufacturer will provide support for both XP Pro and Vista (Business or Ultimate) during the period covered by your support/maintenance agreement. I would also advise against buying a computer with a low-end version of Vista and replacing it with your own copy of XP. There's no guarantee that your system will work, and you'll have no support from the manufacturer.
Guest Dan Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 RE: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro My situation may be more unusual but if you really like working with computers then build your own machine and configure it the way that you want. That is what I did with my computer which has a Falcon Northwest case that originally came with Windows 98 Second Edition and since then everything is new but the case and the 3.5 inch floppy drive. I still enjoy using Windows 98 Second Edition for older gaming that XP will not run and using XP Professional as my primary system and also playing around with Ubuntu Linux on my tri-boot computer with 2 hard drives and of course one is with Fat32 and the other with NTFS. Windows Vista Home Premium is on a Toshiba Laptop that I have and it has great security features that are needed for the military and perhaps others and a cool Aero interface and some other good features but it is not compelling enough for me to use all the time except on a Laptop when I am traveling and need greater security. "Bugsy" wrote: > I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an > option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. > > Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any problems > to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the downgrade > have to be done by a pro? > > Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? > > Thanks for any advice. > > >
Guest PA Bear [MS MVP] Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro The downgrade will be fully supported by the machine manufacturer who should be able to assist you, Bugsy. -- ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002 AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net DTS-L http://dts-l.net/ Bugsy wrote: > I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an > option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. > > Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any > problems > to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the downgrade > have to be done by a pro? > > Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? > > Thanks for any advice.
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro Bugsy wrote: > I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an > option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. > > Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any problems > to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the downgrade > have to be done by a pro? > > Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? > > Thanks for any advice. > > It's your computer, so the choice is, ultimately, yours. (Although it would have been a lot simpler to have just purchased the computer with WinXP installed, to start with.) However, 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, sometimes, 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 may 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 Help us help you: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ~ Denis Diderot
Guest Bill in Co. Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro Don't. Buy a new computer with Win XP Pro, while you still can get one. Otherwise you're most likely just asking for trouble. Bugsy wrote: > I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an > option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. > > Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any > problems > to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the downgrade > have to be done by a pro? > > Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? > > Thanks for any advice.
Guest PA Bear [MS MVP] Posted June 29, 2008 Posted June 29, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro [...said Bill in Co. who only & begrudingly moved to WinXP less than 2 years ago and who thought WinXP was nothing but trouble when he did so. <wink>] Bill in Co. wrote: > Don't. Buy a new computer with Win XP Pro, while you still can get one. > Otherwise you're most likely just asking for trouble. > > Bugsy wrote: >> I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and an >> option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. >> >> Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any >> problems >> to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the >> downgrade >> have to be done by a pro? >> >> Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? >> >> Thanks for any advice.
Guest Bill in Co. Posted June 29, 2008 Posted June 29, 2008 Re: Downgrading VISTA to XP Pro I'm still using Windows XP *Home*, NOT Pro! :-) I had/have no use for Pro (but maybe he does - or maybe he can't even get it anymore without Pro these days). I will have to concede this point though. I have indeed found it to be more robust and stable than Win9x was. However, I still have that annoying initial delay after bootup when first opening or instantiating Windows Explorer (i.e., a 10 second or so delay for all the little folder icons to finally settle down so I can use Explorer (and I always use the Details view) Don't have that problem with third party ones like XYplorer, however. And I'd have to give up some control, and reluctantly "sign it over" to XP, carte blanche. (PCR would hate that) :-) PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote: > [...said Bill in Co. who only & begrudingly moved to WinXP less than 2 > years > ago and who thought WinXP was nothing but trouble when he did so. <wink>] > > > Bill in Co. wrote: >> Don't. Buy a new computer with Win XP Pro, while you still can get one. >> Otherwise you're most likely just asking for trouble. >> >> Bugsy wrote: >>> I am thinking about purchasing a new computer with VISTA installed and >>> an >>> option to downgrade to Windows XP Pro. >>> >>> Has anyone had actual experience doing this? If so, are there any >>> problems >>> to be anticipated? Is it something a novice can do, or does the >>> downgrade >>> have to be done by a pro? >>> >>> Any other thoughts about using this route to get XP on a new computer? >>> >>> Thanks for any advice.
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