How do I degrade back to Windows XP?

[joshua_richardson61]

I can't log back into my laptop due to an accident of using a friend's
product code. I just read up on not using a product code more than once. I
just wanted to test out Vista. I have Windows XP and would like to get it
back on. I'm really frustrated that I can't log back on due not having a
proper product key. Any comments or general answers will truely help me out.
You can also reach me at (e-mail address removed) Please help because I
would like to get my laptop working before I go back to school next month.

 

[philo]

I can't log back into my laptop due to an accident of using a friend's
product code. I just read up on not using a product code more than once. I
just wanted to test out Vista. I have Windows XP and would like to get it
back on. I'm really frustrated that I can't log back on due not having a
proper product key. Any comments or general answers will truely help me out.
You can also reach me at (e-mail address removed) Please help because I
would like to get my laptop working before I go back to school next month.

Just boot from your XP cd
delete everything and start over

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

How to reinstall Windows XP:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[vista user 43]

Just boot from your XP cd

delete everything and start over

AMEN!!!


PS this really should be called an "upgrade".. from a worse OS to a better
OS!

 

[joshua_richardson61]

ok I've tried the reboot but all that comes up is an error and a blue screen.
After that it completely freezes up. Is it my operating CD or is it something
else?

 

[Guest]

Not Only Should You Be Degraded, Just FYI, But You Should Be Made To Sleep
With Roseanne Barr.

Just FYI

 

[Mhzjunkie]

(e-mail address removed) spewed out this bit, and i'll scatter a few
bits myself:

Not Only Should You Be Degraded, Just FYI,

But You Should Be Made To Sleep With Roseanne Barr.

Now that's hitting below the belt. Way way way below the belt !

--
Mhzjunkie

1 PRINT "Windows Vista ERROR"
GOTO 1
END

 

[AlexB]

I do not think philo gave you a good advice. His suggestion may apply when
you still have some XP on your OS strip. You have none.

Your best course IMHO will be to call MS customer service and explain the
situation. If you have a genuine Vista and this is the matter of your using
a product key allegedly supplied by your friend, they will issue a new
product key for you. A call may take some time. You can try to communicate
with them by email. It might take a bit longer overall but you won't spend
time on hold.

I've done it a few times myself although my motivation was different. I have
a subscription that allows me to download a lot of MS stuff. Occasionally
the downloaded software does not respond to official keys. You have to shake
them up in person.

 

[philo]

I do not think philo gave you a good advice. His suggestion may apply when
you still have some XP on your OS strip. You have none.

Your best course IMHO will be to call MS customer service and explain the
situation. If you have a genuine Vista and this is the matter of your using
a product key allegedly supplied by your friend, they will issue a new
product key for you. A call may take some time. You can try to communicate
with them by email. It might take a bit longer overall but you won't spend
time on hold.

<snip>

WRONG ANSWER

Your reply is completely out of line. The OP *specifically stated* that he
wanted to re-install XP and did not expess any desire to use Vista.

To install XP (even if Vista is already on the machine) the procedure is to
boot with the XP cd
and delete everything there...then procede with a normal installation.

The BIOS of course needs to be set to boot first from CD.

Finally...if the machine cannot boot from the cd (assuming thr cd itself is
not damaged...and the cdrom is functioning)

An alternative method is to use a set of boot floppies...
They can be made on another machine from the win2k cd

 

[joshua_richardson61]

ok so what if the CD is slightly damaged? How do I go about getting another
one and how much will it cost? Its XP Professional.