Downgrade from Vista

[Guest]

Most PC mfgr's are only offering MS Vista standard with their computers. What
if I want to use Windows XP Pro still? Can I downgrade without license issues?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Most PC mfgr's are only offering MS Vista standard with their computers. What
if I want to use Windows XP Pro still? Can I downgrade without license issues?

Is it a retail copy? If so, you probably could wipe the hard drive
clean and then fight your way through a clean installation of XP, but
you would need all the drivers for your hardware.

 

[Guest]

No these are OEM. Dell to be specific.

Is it a retail copy? If so, you probably could wipe the hard drive
clean and then fight your way through a clean installation of XP, but
you would need all the drivers for your hardware.

 

[Jim]

No these are OEM. Dell to be specific.

An OEM disk from Dell may or may not load onto a model of a Dell computer
other than the one which the disk came with. Even it it would, you would
still need drivers from Dell for your new computer.

Jim

 

[Guest]

I am not as worried about drivers as much as the legality of downgrading to
Windows XP if the PC comes with Vista. Altho, now you hav me wondering about
drivers?!?! )

 

[Bob I]

Here is the guideline document

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...4d-4a6d-aed9-f2c1f8f23e14/downgrade_chart.doc

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

No these are OEM. Dell to be specific.

"These"???

If one of them is for the PC you are speaking of, then you will be
able to use it. If not, then maybe something at this place can help
you ;-)

http://tinyurl.com/2aebob

 

[Ron Martell]

Most PC mfgr's are only offering MS Vista standard with their computers. What
if I want to use Windows XP Pro still? Can I downgrade without license issues?

Many new computer warranties include a clause that voids the warranty
if you install any operating system other than the one provided with
the computer.

As for licensing, I am not certain if the OEM license for Vista
includes downgrade rights or not, as the OEM license for XP Pro does.
You would have to check the terms of the End User License Agreement
for the OEM Vista. Downgrade rights to Windows XP specifically would
cause product key complications (a Vista key will not work for
installing XP, and using the key from an existing XP license would
cause activation/validation issues if that key were already in use on
a different computer).

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Rock]

Most PC mfgr's are only offering MS Vista standard with their computers.
What
if I want to use Windows XP Pro still? Can I downgrade without license
issues?

There is nothing precluding you from installing XP on the system. It may
have an effect on the warranty from the manufacturer, but there is no
license issue. You would have to install a copy of XP that is not licensed
to another system, and if OEM it can't have been installed on any other
system. An OEM copy of XP is tied by the license to the first computer on
which it's installed.

 

[Ron Martell]

Most PC mfgr's are only offering MS Vista standard with their computers. What
if I want to use Windows XP Pro still? Can I downgrade without license issues?

Check the wording of the End User License agreement that comes with
the Windows Vista. Vista Ultimate and Vista Business editions may
include downgrade rights, but I am not certain if these are to Windows
2000 only or if downgrades to XP Pro are also covered.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."