new Vista computer - want to install XP - question

[Mary Fowler Leek]

If replacing Vista OS with my privately purchased copy of XP Home on a newly
purchased computer, do I need to first find and download drivers for all of
the hardware in the new box? I'm going to just remove the hard drive that
came with the new computer, install a new hard drive and install XP if this
sounds like a good plan. This way, when Vista matures and I replace scanner,
printer, etc, I can switch out the hard drives and migrate over to Vista.

My thanks, as always, for your advice and suggestions.

Mary

 

[DL]

Drivers are supplied from the hardware site, for that installed on your PC,
unless a large OEM eg Dell/HP, or Laptop etc in which case from their sites,
allways assuming they have winxp drivers for your specific model.

Of course installing winxp may invalidate any warranty/support

 

[M.I.5¾]

If replacing Vista OS with my privately purchased copy of XP Home on a
newly purchased computer, do I need to first find and download drivers for
all of the hardware in the new box?

You got it. The XP drivers are not the same as Vista. Remember: that you
need to find the XP chipset drivers for the motherboard as well.

I'm going to just remove the hard drive that came with the new computer,
install a new hard drive and install XP if this sounds like a good plan.
This way, when Vista matures and I replace scanner, printer, etc, I can
switch out the hard drives and migrate over to Vista.

An excellent way of doing it.

 

[smlunatick]

You got it. The XP drivers are not the same as Vista. Remember: that you
need to find the XP chipset drivers for the motherboard as well.


An excellent way of doing it.

If this PC is a OEM style PC like HP,Dell etc.., then there might not
even be drivers for Windows XP. You will have to try different
locations to find the drivers and it is not even guarrantied to work.
Large companies like HP and Dell sometimes "tweak" the hardware that
they use and the other "standard" drivers "fail" to install, even
thought the hardware is the same "base" components.

 

[Eion MacDonald]

1. Partition your hard drive into at least two separate partitions (prefer 3, third one to be used for fault finding Linux system)
2. OR install two hard drives
If this route swop hard drives over remove Vista one
Then install XP on now new C hard drive, Set up total system.
3. Replace Vista hard drive as secondary one "D". This keeps your original , if you ever want to swop back again.
4. On third partition install any free Linux system (SuSE 10.2 is OK)
5 It will load GRUB boot-loader and save original Windows MBR file for Windows systems. Set for windows XP as default system
Set for windows Vista as optional, with SuSE 10.2 as third system.

I boot two windows systems and two Linux systems from two hard drives on one computer. Option at start up with default to Win XP
Using the Linux OS as administrative system to sort out boot loaders and also as emergency system for email/operation if Windows crashes.


Then you have a dual boot system

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[Guest]

Mary,

I am planning to do what you did. Were you successful replacing Vista OS
with XP home?
I am doing the same because I am tired of the problems I have with the email
and other applications.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Sergio.

 

[peter]

If you are aiming to do it his way....be sure to check you mobo
manufacturers website for XP drivers.
If your system is one of the prebuild ones from Dell,HP or ??? you will need
to go to their website and download XP drivers.
With the removal of the Vista installed HD you will lose everything that is
on that drive...a newly installed HD will take XP providing you have the XP
drivers for your hardware.
peter