Installing xp over vista

[Richard H O'Keefe]

I bought an Acer with preinstalled Vista.

If I delete the partition, will I be able to install xp on the
computer. Will there be any problems?

Thanks, Richard

 

[Malke]

I bought an Acer with preinstalled Vista.

If I delete the partition, will I be able to install xp on the
computer. Will there be any problems?

Thanks, Richard

You need to do some things first:

1. Go to Acer's (the OEM) 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.

2. Check with Acer - 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 Acer 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 Acer won't send you or don't
have an XP restore disk, 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.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand

6. If none of the above is applicable to you because you can't run XP on
that machine, return the computer and purchase one running XP instead.


Malke

 

[Tom Ferguson]

I suggest you first install XP as a dual boot arrangement with Vista. There
are instructions from various sources on how to do that. Do a Google search.
In particular, make sure it details how to install XP after Vista. The best
way to dial boot the two is to install XP first so make sure you have the
right set of instructions for your situation-XP _after_ Vista. Also, do
consider Malke's suggestions.

E.g.
http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

If, after a while, XP is working well, you can delete the Vista partition
and set up XP as the only system. There are instructions for that, too.

If you have any questions during any part of this, someone here can help, I
am sure.

Good luck.

Tom
MSMVP 1998-2007

 

[Malke]

I suggest you first install XP as a dual boot arrangement with Vista.
There are instructions from various sources on how to do that. Do a
Google search. In particular, make sure it details how to install XP
after Vista. The best way to dial boot the two is to install XP first so
make sure you have the right set of instructions for your situation-XP
_after_ Vista. Also, do consider Malke's suggestions.

E.g.
http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

If, after a while, XP is working well, you can delete the Vista
partition and set up XP as the only system. There are instructions for
that, too.

That's a good suggestion, Tom. I also wanted to add that the OP could
look into doing virtual computing (Virtual PC 2007 or VMWare) if he just
needs to run a few apps in XP. This gets around the drivers issue
(depending on the apps of course).


Malke

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I bought an Acer with preinstalled Vista.

If I delete the partition, will I be able to install xp on the
computer. Will there be any problems?

Thanks, Richard

It's your computer, so the choice is, ultimately, yours.

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. (An OEM CD and license from some previous computer will not
do, for legal and usually technical reasons.)

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 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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killed a great many philosophers.
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[Richard H O'Keefe]

I want to thank everyone for their advice.

Acer has sold my computer model with the XP OS and with the Vista OS.
I went to Acer and now I have a list of the appropiate drivers.

When my computer was delivered, I received a cd disk labeled "Windows
Anytime Upgrade". The disk was a freebie from Microsoft.

I used this freebie and ran an installation program as a clean
install. The OS system that was installed was Vista Home Basic that
is unstable and requires activation periodically. I could upgrade to
some kind of vista premium for 79 dollars. I don't wnat to upgrade
over the internet and end up with an OS that is no better than a
preinstalled OS. I prefer to install xp and to possess the
installation disk.

I probably damaged what ACER calls the hidden PQSERVICE partition, or
the Master Boot Record. I have lost the ability to use Acer's
recovery program to restore the Acer OEM preinstalled OS. I have lost
Acer's support.

Thanks again,
Richard

 

[Malke]

I want to thank everyone for their advice.

Acer has sold my computer model with the XP OS and with the Vista OS.
I went to Acer and now I have a list of the appropiate drivers.

When my computer was delivered, I received a cd disk labeled "Windows
Anytime Upgrade". The disk was a freebie from Microsoft.

I used this freebie and ran an installation program as a clean
install. The OS system that was installed was Vista Home Basic that
is unstable and requires activation periodically. I could upgrade to
some kind of vista premium for 79 dollars. I don't wnat to upgrade
over the internet and end up with an OS that is no better than a
preinstalled OS. I prefer to install xp and to possess the
installation disk.

I probably damaged what ACER calls the hidden PQSERVICE partition, or
the Master Boot Record. I have lost the ability to use Acer's
recovery program to restore the Acer OEM preinstalled OS. I have lost
Acer's support.

If you know for a fact that you have lost Acer's support (and IMO they
are pigs for doing this but there's nothing you can do about their
attitude) and you know for sure that you can't do a restore to factory
condition from the hidden partition, then purchase a retail copy of XP
and do a clean install. After the operating system is installed, then
use all the XP drivers you got from Acer and you'll have a working
computer again.


Malke

 

[Richard H O'Keefe]

Thanks, that's my intention.

Richard

If you know for a fact that you have lost Acer's support (and IMO they
are pigs for doing this but there's nothing you can do about their
attitude) and you know for sure that you can't do a restore to factory
condition from the hidden partition, then purchase a retail copy of XP
and do a clean install. After the operating system is installed, then
use all the XP drivers you got from Acer and you'll have a working
computer again.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User