Downgrade to XP pro

[MSExchangeStudent]

Hi

I will be getting this laptop (HP Notebook - 530 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5200
(1.6Ghz), , Win Vista Home 32) but want to take Vista off when i get it and
put XP Pro on - is this possible or must i buy a separate downgrade pack or
something?

 

[Gordon]

Hi

I will be getting this laptop (HP Notebook - 530 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5200
(1.6Ghz), , Win Vista Home 32) but want to take Vista off when i get it
and put XP Pro on - is this possible or must i buy a separate downgrade
pack or something?

You are at liberty to put any OS you want on YOUR machine.....just be
careful that you don't void the warranty by doing so.....if you have a
retail copy of XP then go ahead. You may need to go to HP website to check
they actually have XP drivers for that make and model.

 

[MSExchangeStudent]

Ok, thank you - i will check for drivers first

You are at liberty to put any OS you want on YOUR machine.....just be
careful that you don't void the warranty by doing so.....if you have a
retail copy of XP then go ahead. You may need to go to HP website to check
they actually have XP drivers for that make and model.

 

[Bob I]

To do it yourself, you will need to buy a copy of Windows XP Pro, AND
locate ALL the XP drivers yourself. Your other option is to buy it from
HP with XP already installed.

 

[John John (MVP)]

You might have been able to use your downgrade rights and have HP do it
for you free of charge. You need to ask them at the time of purchase
and you have to buy the computer with a Vista Business license, but
unless you already own an XP license and installation cd that is still
usually cheaper than doing it yourself because you don't have to pay
anything else for the XP license, the downgrade is free. Plus, you
still have the valid Vista license in case you want to later upgrade the
machine to Vista. And no, you won't be able to use the Vista license on
another machine, the downgrade right gives you the right to use one or
the other but not both at the same time.

John

 

[Anteaus]

Done a few of these. They work well with XP provided you observe a few points
about installation. Main point, make sure the BIOS SATA mode setting is in
Legacy Mode, or the XP install will fail at the first reboot. You must change
this setting.

You would be best to get the drivers first from hp.com.

There may be more than one available driver for LAN etc, so have a look in
Vista's Control Panel to see which is in-use. This will save guesswork.

You will need to format the HD so don't store the drivers on it. In fact I
would advise completely wiping the disk, removing the Vista recovery
partitions, for a fresh start. Your call as to partitioning, but I would
allocate say 50% to the C: drive and the rest to a data drive.

Buying with preinstalled XP may not help (othert than giving you a licence
key) because of the problem of preinstalled trash, which HP unfortunately
seem to have revived after a period of clean installs. Removing this trash
often takes longer than a clean install, plus of course removal of
promotional trash never leaves you with a truly 'new' computer, only a
'ex-demo' one.

 

[Tim Slattery]

Hi

I will be getting this laptop (HP Notebook - 530 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5200
(1.6Ghz), , Win Vista Home 32) but want to take Vista off when i get it and
put XP Pro on - is this possible or must i buy a separate downgrade pack or
something?

Check with HP, they may have a program to help out with this.

IMHO, this is *far* more trouble than it's worth.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Will the HP machine come with a free downgrade to WinXP? Ask HP for
details. It should be available.

 

[KDE]

Actually, if you have the XP disk and license, why don't you partition a
portion of your drive and dual boot. That way you can use xp for what you
think you need it for, but it'll give you a great opportunity to try and
learn vista. My laptop was downgraded to XP to conform to company IT
policies, but I reinstalled the Vista that came with it and dual boot. XP
for business, Vista for personal.. WORKS GREAT !!!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

HP Notebook PCs - Issues with Downgrading HP Pavilion and
Compaq Presario PCs to Windows XP and Restoring Windows Vista:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...s&lc=en&dlc=en&product=3439686&dlc=en&lang=en

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

:

Hi

I will be getting this laptop (HP Notebook - 530 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5200
(1.6Ghz), , Win Vista Home 32) but want to take Vista off when i get it and
put XP Pro on - is this possible or must i buy a separate downgrade pack or
something?

 

[Charles W Davis]

Hi

I will be getting this laptop (HP Notebook - 530 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5200
(1.6Ghz), , Win Vista Home 32) but want to take Vista off when i get it
and put XP Pro on - is this possible or must i buy a separate downgrade
pack or something?

I would advise that you learn to live with Vista and forget the instant
gratification ploy, It is, in fact, superior to XP.
http://tinyurl.com/4reaer

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi

I will be getting this laptop (HP Notebook - 530 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5200
(1.6Ghz), , Win Vista Home 32) but want to take Vista off when i get it
and put XP Pro on - is this possible or must i buy a separate downgrade
pack or something?

No version of Vista with "Home" in the name comes with downgrade rights.
To install XP, you must buy a *new* XP license.

You must also be absolutely sure, before you start the install, that you
HAVE ALL THE DRIVERS needed for that system under XP. Do not just assume
that they are available. Have them in your possession, on CD so that you
can install them right away.

It's a better idea, if you can, to just get the OS you need with the system
in the first place.

HTH
-pk

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi

I will be getting this laptop (HP Notebook - 530 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5200
(1.6Ghz), , Win Vista Home 32) but want to take Vista off when i get it and
put XP Pro on - is this possible or must i buy a separate downgrade pack or
something?

It's your computer, so the choice is, ultimately, yours. (Although
it would have been a lot simpler to have just purchased the computer
with WinXP installed, to start with.)

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.

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 you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific
device drivers so 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

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[MSExchangeStudent]

Thank you for all the responses - appreciate it

It's your computer, so the choice is, ultimately, yours. (Although it
would have been a lot simpler to have just purchased the computer with
WinXP installed, to start with.)

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.

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 you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific device
drivers so 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

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Weiß, Daniel]

Hi @ALL

please be sure to have a seperate WinXP Pro license.
You have the downgraderight from microsoft to use an earlier version of the
OS you've bought.

so if you'll get a WinVista Home you'll will be able to install WinXP HOME
with that license.

Just for info.

Bye, Daniel

 

[Bob I]

You seem a bit confused about downgrade rights. The HOME version has
none. It MUST be the business or ultimate version, and even then you may
not install XP Home. Please see the attached link.

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

 

[Marc]

Hi

I will be getting this laptop (HP Notebook - 530 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5200
(1.6Ghz), , Win Vista Home 32) but want to take Vista off when i get it
and put XP Pro on - is this possible or must i buy a separate downgrade
pack or something?

Unless you run specific audio mixing software, I can't see WHY you'd want
to - turn off Aero and turn off UAC.
Still, of course that's up to you but it might cost more to get XP and be
more hassle... and you might find yourself wanting to upgrade 6 months
later.

Marc

 

[Marc]

Actually, if you have the XP disk and license, why don't you partition a
portion of your drive and dual boot. That way you can use xp for what
you think you need it for, but it'll give you a great opportunity to try
and learn vista. My laptop was downgraded to XP to conform to company IT
policies, but I reinstalled the Vista that came with it and dual boot. XP
for business, Vista for personal.. WORKS GREAT !!!

I cocked up my Vista installation by resizing the partition it was on when
installiling Ubuntu. So my advice is read up on how to do it, and use the
Vista disk partition tool - not sure if XP's is OK, my advice is to check!

Marc

 

[DanS]

I would advise that you learn to live with Vista and forget the
instant gratification ploy, It is, in fact, superior to XP.
http://tinyurl.com/4reaer

The author states:

"So, this is not an analysis of “the security”. I don’t look at
protective mechanisms and see how they might protect in certain
scenarios. Nor do I look at security features and see how they might
enable better privacy or help secure business process. And I certainly
don’t look at how easy it is to manage the security policy for these
products."

So, of what use is it ?

How does looking at the number of 'security' patches give you any
indication of the state of (whatever) today ?

I did read the entire thing, and didn't find it objective at all. For
instance, there is a chart for MS vulnerabilites that lists what the
actual vulnerability is, and this includes components all produced by MS.
When you look at the compared Linux versions, there is no description of
any, only a total number.

My question is how many of those are directly for the Linux flavours
actual OS, and not 3rd party programs ? I know the security updates I've
seen in the past year have been half OS and half 3rd party apps, but
included in the distro. IMO, there's a big different there.

Unfortunately, I've never seen any third parties studies that weren't
commisioned by one side or the other. It's always one of the players,
which IMO, has almost no chance of being completely un-biased. (Like this
one, being written by a current and long-time employee of MS.) I'm not
saying that none exist.

 

[Luc]

You might have been able to use your downgrade rights and have HP do it
for you free of charge.

I thought Vista Home had no downgrade right?

Even it if did, that would be to XP Home, but he's talking about
downgrading Vista Home to XP Pro. I'd call that a major UPgrade