Downgrade to XP Pro - licensing

[Mark Scholl]

I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade option.
Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.

Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
downgraded to XP.

What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
having to purchase the XP Pro?

Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".

Mark Scholl

 

[Richard Urban]

I would take this up with Gateway. Why pay for something you did not order
and can not use. Time to call their sales/service/customer complaint
department.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User

 

[Frankster]

AFAIK, the OEM licenses (like you got if your OS was preinstalled from the
vendor) are not "downgradable", per se. Volume licenses, like normally used
by corporations, are.

Assuming you mean that your "client" wants a downgraded license (rather than
"vendor" as posted), I don't know of a way except to purchase Volume
licenses. Or, actual XP Pro licenses.

If you have prearranged this with the computer vendor, I would lay hard on
them to *make* them deliver the equipment as ordered, or reimburse you for
the entire order and accept the return of all.

-Frank

 

[Mark Scholl]

Thanks for the quick response.

For the record, I did not order the equipment. My experience with Gateway
has not been favorable.

I will take this up with them.

Thanks.

Mark

 

[John Barnes]

I can fully understand your attempt to find another way. Gateway would be
my last choice. I have had many friends and family members get Gateway
products and with rare exceptions they all regretted it. Service, both
customer and technical is almost non existent after you buy. Sales is
obviously where they put all their resources.
Good luck.

 

[Billy]

Emachines which is now part of gateway is even worse. If you should be
unlucky enough to have to replace a hard drive and do not have the
original install disks, you can not download the drivers from Emachines.
They are non-existent on their site.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

It is noted in the Product EULA that neither Microsoft nor the Manufacturer will supply such End User with media for such previous
versions. The End User must provide the downgrade media and a valid Product Key.

The PC manufacturer may not provide the end user with the Downgrade Software media. This media must come from the end user and must
be legally licensed from the Microsoft retail, OEM/System Builder, or volume license channels.



--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

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:

I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade option.
Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.

Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
downgraded to XP.

What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
having to purchase the XP Pro?

Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".

Mark Scholl

 

[John Barnes]

I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
were to be installed with Windows XP Pro

The PC manufacturer contracted to deliver XP Pro and is obligated to so
deliver. This is not a downgrade, but an adherence to the contract.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Well, you have to sort out the problem with Gateway
as they are the vendor that supplied the computers.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----


:

I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
were to be installed with Windows XP Pro

The PC manufacturer contracted to deliver XP Pro and is obligated to so
deliver. This is not a downgrade, but an adherence to the contract.

 

[John Barnes]

Exactly, they are the one who contracted to deliver the machines with XP Pro
on them.