Replace Vista with XP

I'm not new to computers but I have not done many OS installs.

I just got a laptop, A Dell XPS 1530 with Core 2 DUO. It came pre-loaded
with Vista Home Premium. I don't want Vista for several reasons including
bloat and that some of my programs are not compatible.

So, I need to remove Vista and put XP on. I'm certain this is possible, I'm
just not sure what pitfalls there might be and what is the best way to do
this.

Anyone have an essentially foolproof method?

jimt wrote:
> I'm not new to computers but I have not done many OS installs.
>
> I just got a laptop, A Dell XPS 1530 with Core 2 DUO. It came pre-loaded
> with Vista Home Premium. I don't want Vista for several reasons
> including bloat and that some of my programs are not compatible.
>
> So, I need to remove Vista and put XP on. I'm certain this is possible,
> I'm just not sure what pitfalls there might be and what is the best way
> to do this.
>
> Anyone have an essentially foolproof method?


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/defaul...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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jimt wrote:

> I'm not new to computers but I have not done many OS installs.
>
> I just got a laptop, A Dell XPS 1530 with Core 2 DUO. It came pre-loaded
> with Vista Home Premium. I don't want Vista for several reasons including
> bloat and that some of my programs are not compatible.
>
> So, I need to remove Vista and put XP on. I'm certain this is possible,
> I'm just not sure what pitfalls there might be and what is the best way to
> do this.
>
> Anyone have an essentially foolproof method?

General information about replacing Vista with XP:

A. 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.

B. On a generic/home-built computer (from non-OEM company) - You will need
drivers for all your hardware. See the second link below for more details

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com...talling_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!