Downgrading from Vista to XP

[Guest]

How can replace Vista back to XP on my laptop? The laptop came with Vista.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Purchase a "full version" of Windows XP
and then perform a "clean install".

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Check with manufacturer to see if they will make a swap for an XP machine,
will supply XP installation media, or will give you a full refund on your
purchase.

If they will not do any of the above, be aware that if you remove Vista and
install XP on the present hard drive, you may well invalidate your warranty.

The way around this is to purchase a hard drive and full XP version of your
own and load XP onto it. However, you should check that XP device drivers
are available for your model. The only place to get laptop drivers is the
manufacturer, btw. In some cases, laptops will accept either, but it is very
dependant upon the hardware devices in your particular model

Alternatively, you could outline your Vista problems, and maybe we could
help you get along with Vista better.

 

[mayayana]

See this link:

http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2007/09/24/downgrade-your-vista-to-xp/

The deal seems to be that some OEMs will
provide you with a downgrade. If you can't
get that, and you're willing to call Microsoft,
the article seems to be saying that MS will give
you the necessary activation code if you can
find an XP CD to install with. If you go that
route, I'd call the OEM first. Failing that, check
with MS before proceeding.

That all only applies to the Business version.
For Home version, the cheapest legal way is to
buy an OEM version disk (about $100 US) online.
I like buycheapsoftware.com. Their name sounds
hokey, but in my experience they're actually very
dependable and have good service.

 

[Bernard Liengme]

I read somewhere that MS will send an XP disk for $15 shipping. Try a phone
call.
best wishes
Bernard

 

[John Barnes]

IMHO you sometimes get obsolete software from them. Caveat emptor!!

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <#[email protected]> "Mike Hall - MVP"

If they will not do any of the above, be aware that if you remove Vista and
install XP on the present hard drive, you may well invalidate your warranty.

*sigh*

No, you won't invalidate your warranty. You may not receive technical
support while XP is installed, and should be prepared to use the
recovery CD to restore Vista if you need any sort of warranty.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Assuming that there is a supplied recovery DVD, or that the user created DVD
works. Some have already been caught out by this..

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <[email protected]> "Mike Hall - MVP"

Assuming that there is a supplied recovery DVD, or that the user created DVD
works. Some have already been caught out by this..

If it doesn't then the manufacturer is in violation of their OEM
agreements with Microsoft.

Oh, and even so, consumer protection laws still require the warranty to
be honoured.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Consumer protection laws are all very well, but they do not always allow for
a speedy fix.

I have seen instances where the recovery partition (a perfectly valid
recovery method) has been wiped clean. Accepting that what I suggested
costs $$$ extra, it is the safest way to get another OS on, while not
prejudicing rights to either customer or warranty support.

 

[HeyBub]

How can replace Vista back to XP on my laptop? The laptop came with
Vista.

Your laptop may have hardware that is not supported by XP (video circuitry,
hard drive, etc.). In other words, it may be impossible to downgrade to XP.

Check with the hardware manufacturers - at least twice - before attempting,
else you may be faced with:

1. Buying a retail version of XP and attempting to install.
2. Buying a retail version of Vista because the XP version wouldn't work and
you smashed your Vista restore capability.

In other words, you may be out another $500 just for the attempt.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Bernard.

The disk is cheap, but it's no good without the Product Key - and that is
expensive.

And since "The laptop came with Vista", Soapking will not be going "back to
XP" on it, but will be starting fresh with WinXP on it.

As the others have pointed out, Soapking, switching to WinXP will not be a
simple exercise. Even if you are successful, you will still have the
"someday" upgrade to Vista in front of you. My advice is to invest the time
and effort now to move forward, not backward. A year from now, you will be
glad you did. And you won't even remember much about WinXP.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail beta 2 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 beta v.275)