xp/vista compatability

[underpantman]

hey all

question, can i put a xp op system on my vista op run computer so i can play all my old original games as some dont work on vista and if i can then how ? :(

[Jelly Bean]

Hello and welcome.

 

What make and model is your computer?

 

This will help determin if your hardware drivers are available for XP.

 

Yes I think your games would play on XP,Vista is the issue not XP.

 

To install XP it is a matter of setting first boot device in BIOS to CD rom popping in the disk and following these instructions:

 

How to partition and format a hard disk by using Windows XP Setup program

 

To enter BIOS restart the computer and on the post screen it will say "Press ? to enter setup" ? could be F1,F2,Del or another key.Press the key it tells you to.Locate boot tab or boot order in the list and set CD rom to first boot device and hard drive to second.

 

Please note after popping in the XP CD:

 

You will be prompted to press any key to boot from CD/DVD then press any key,any other time you are prompted to press any key to boot from CD/DVD do NOT press any key as this starts the install process all over again.

 

If you need further help with this please ask.

 

Jelly Bean.

[zinglebarb]

I play my old old xp games inside a VMware virtual machine. It all depends how old your games are as to whether this would work for you

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Errr

 

Just hold on a minute before we go any further.

 

Please note this extract from the link provided by Jelly Bean.

 

Note If you want to create a partition where one or more partitions already exist, you must first delete the existing partition or partitions, and then create the new partition. You can press D to delete an existing partition, and then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this step for each existing partition that you want to include in the new partition. When all the partitions are deleted, select the remaining non-partitioned space, and then press C to create the new partition.

[Jelly Bean]

Oh thankyou Wolfeymole.

 

Thankyou zingle also.

 

:)

 

Can I add to this also.

 

If you have a hidden partition which contains your recovery console for Vista I would burn this to disk as soon as you can.Unless you already have or own the Vista install disk.You may wish to use this in the future.

[zinglebarb]

Errr

 

Just hold on a minute before we go any further.

 

Please note this extract from the link provided by Jelly Bean.

 

you could use gparted to resize and create new partitions. Vista allows you to shrink partitions in disk management if you defrag first you can normally shrink the partition more or course this os only of any use if you wish to dual boot which when adding xp to vista causes more problems ( but easily solvable)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I realize that Zingle but my point is that Underpantman's initial question is a can of worms that could go pop if not explained in thorough detail.

 

Otherwise he could lose Vista completely.

[zinglebarb]

I realize that Zingle but my point is that Underpantman's initial question is a can of worms that could go pop if not explained in thorough detail.

 

Otherwise he could lose Vista completely.

:) definately. Idealy we need to assertain if the machine has its own recovery. I have come accross machines which do not have official driver support for XP there are of course ways around this but not for the layman.

[underpantman]

:) definately. Idealy we need to assertain if the machine has its own recovery. I have come accross machines which do not have official driver support for XP there are of course ways around this but not for the layman.

 

 

it has a built in ghost drive and iam very glad i asked you guys first vista isnt great but i wouldnt like to lose it.......can i set up xp on a warm swapable drive and boot it from my pc at start up then ????

:rolleyes:

[underpantman]

it has a built in ghost drive and iam very glad i asked you guys first vista isnt great but i wouldnt like to lose it.......can i set up xp on a warm swapable drive and boot it from my pc at start up then ????

:rolleyes:

 

 

my system is hp

processor intel quad 2.4

ram 3gb

32 bit op system

 

sorry i should of stated that at first it also has a warm swapable hard drive 200 gb

[zinglebarb]

I run a swappable ststem. I do not dual boot my main os(vista) hard drive is in a caddy.If I want to play with something like win 7 nix or whatever I shut down remove caddy install other draw with drive installed and install whatever.Clean and simple :) bog standard beige caddys are cheap but remember you need 2

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I have an HP box Under so can I ask that by the "warm swapable" you mean the Pocket Drive that slots into the tower?

 

I wouldn't consider that as a bootable medium mate for XP.

 

Here are two angles on how to work this,

 

1: You could decrease the Vista partition on C:, make a new partition and try to install XP.

 

I say try because you may get an error message stating that there is a newer version of Windows present on the system and therefore it won't install.

 

2: Wipe the system completely and make 2 partitions, install XP then install Vista to the other partition.

Your Vista Recovery disks should make a third partition so make sure you allocate wisely.

 

Partitioning Tools are listed here.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/tech-tips-and-tricks/1554-free-partitioning-tools.html

[zinglebarb]

only problem with setting this system up as a dual boot is lack of Vista installation media. Personally I gave up dual booting a long time ago in favour of the caddy set up I use now. Under do you have a spare optical drive bay? you can get caddys that will fit in colour wise black and silver tend to cost more than beige though and a cheap hard drive just for xp only needs to cost 25 pounds sterling

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Sorry Zingle I'm confused what do you mean lack of installation media?

 

If Under makes some Vista Recover disks to take it back to more or less factory condition then he should be good to go.

 

I personally wouldn't go down any of these routes unless I was exactly sure of what I was doing, no disrespect to you Underpantman.

[zinglebarb]

If you want to set up a dual boot system leaving vista intact and installing xp you will need a vista dvd to repair start up.

 

The sequence needed to follow would be defrag operating system hard drive. Shrink partition hoping there is enough space for xp install create partition inside vista or using xp cd. Install xp to said partition. This will kill bcd meaning vista will no longer boot. You repair start up using Vista dvd ( there are other methods but dunno on legality of the media) Vista then boot sbut xp will not. You then run easybcd to add xp to boot and you have a dual boot system.

 

To delete the partition and just have recovery software would not allow for a secondary install of vista after xp you will need a proper vista dvd for this

[Tootech]

There's a downloadable Vista Recovery Console ISO that would probably do the above - it has the repair options, just no OS.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/downloads/Vista_Recovery_Disc.iso

[zinglebarb]

Arrr I knew stuff like that existed just didnt know if it was legit :)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Legit????

 

How dare you Sir!

 

Choose your weapon on the morning field at 6AM, bring your Seconds.

 

:D :D :D

 

This site is not Messrs Rip Off and Scarper thank you very much. :)

[Jelly Bean]

:D

 

Now now play nice.

 

Here is a pointy stick each.

 

Back to topic please boys.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Yes Miss:caked:

 

Just kidding Zingle mate.

[zinglebarb]

Legit????

 

How dare you Sir!

 

Choose your weapon on the morning field at 6AM, bring your Seconds.

 

:D :D :D

 

This site is not Messrs Rip Off and Scarper thank you very much. :)

 

I do realise that and did not realise you hosted that lol

 

I dont need seconds ;)

[underpantman]

thanks for the advice guys :)

[RandyL]

I feel your pain. There are many programs that I can no longer use or don't work as I would like since I went from Windows ME to Vista. Talk about a big change.

 

Running in compatability mode works sometimes to a certain degree. Not to well though. At least for me.

 

Many other options as suggested but no three click ones I'll bet. lol

 

It is indeed sad when you purchase software to only find it obsolete within a few years.

 

I wish you the best of luck.

[zinglebarb]

Running a virtual machine would be once its set up and an OS is put on it lol click to open VMware click to start the machine and click to run the app lol