I want to go back to XP

[Guest]

Hi... I have a new Dell Dimension E520 on the way that was only available
with Vista, and I'd like to immediately switch it to XP Professional. I have
XP Pro in the form of an iso file from my MSDN subscription. How do I
re-load it with XP? I would suppose I'd have to create a regular CD with the
files from the iso image file, but then what - do I have to re-format?

Thanks so much for any help!

Dan

 

[Mike Brannigan]

Hi... I have a new Dell Dimension E520 on the way that was only available
with Vista, and I'd like to immediately switch it to XP Professional. I
have
XP Pro in the form of an iso file from my MSDN subscription. How do I
re-load it with XP? I would suppose I'd have to create a regular CD with
the
files from the iso image file, but then what - do I have to re-format?

Thanks so much for any help!

Dan

Yes - make disk from ISO, boot and reformat and install.
Obviously this machine is not your day to day machine but is a machine you
are only using for development work - otherwise your use of an MSDN OS is
not within the terms of the MSDN license.

 

[Julian]

Hi... I have a new Dell Dimension E520 on the way that was only available
with Vista, and I'd like to immediately switch it to XP Professional. I
have
XP Pro in the form of an iso file from my MSDN subscription. How do I
re-load it with XP? I would suppose I'd have to create a regular CD with
the
files from the iso image file, but then what - do I have to re-format?

Thanks so much for any help!

I've just, in the last few weeks, got a Dell E520 with Vista
and I'm very happy with it. I've had one BSOD and a few minor glitches
all of which were a result of my messing about rather than Vista.
eg. Adding a geriatric TV card and incompatible drivers (BSOD)
My system now hardly ever needs rebooting.
Formerly, with XP BSOD's were an daily occurrence.

Get rid of the bloat to start off with...ie. all the redundant
ISP stuff, Musicmatch or what ever and give yourself a few days
to learn the new OS (you'll have too cross the bridge sooner of later)
and then reconsider.

Clean installs of Vista are rarely a problem.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mike. I work from home some days of the week and want to be
consistent with the os installed on office computers, so development
environment is identical. Are most optical drives destined for a Vista
machine backwards compatible with XP? If so, what about drivers... do I need
to install any special XP drivers for it?


Thanks!

Dan

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Julian. I don't have much choice since I'm trying to keep the
development environment identical with the PC in the office.

 

[Guest]

Have you considered dual booting?

Thanks, Julian. I don't have much choice since I'm trying to keep the
development environment identical with the PC in the office.

 

[Julian]

Thanks, Julian. I don't have much choice since I'm trying to keep the
development environment identical with the PC in the office.

Fair enough but it is a pity since the E520 with 1gb Ram and Vista HP,
once deguffed, is a very usable box for less than £500.

Store your Dell/VistaCD in a safe place and you'll be able to
resurrect it as Vista when your workplace upgrades which it
surely will in due course.if you workplace

 

[Mike Brannigan]

Thanks Mike. I work from home some days of the week and want to be
consistent with the os installed on office computers, so development
environment is identical. Are most optical drives destined for a Vista
machine backwards compatible with XP? If so, what about drivers... do I
need
to install any special XP drivers for it?

Dan,

If you mean CD and DVD then there are usually no problems - if you mean more
specialized optical drives you will need to check with the manufacturer for
Vista drivers. (You can sometimes use the XP ones if needs be)