removing windows vista

[sean1]

hello
I've recently purchased a computer with window vista. I guess I am so used
to xp that I want to remove vista and re load my older version of xp. Also,
I am not as computer literate as most of you so it might take me a little
while to understand things.

 

[Chuck]

I'm afraid you may have a problem--anyway, the first step is to find out if
the appropriate XP drivers are available for your machine, and obtain them.
They should be placed on a CD, or a HD that will not be impacted by a change
from Vista to XP.
Next, a full backup of the existing Vista system should be made.
It's quite probable that you will lose any or all of the installed
applications, and need to reinstall them. This can be a major problem on the
typical OEM system, and may involve retail purchase of some of the
applications. Note-- some OEMs offer a downgrade to XP package that may be
simpler for you.

Given enough HD space, it's also possible (not easy) to create a dual boot
system. This may be an alternative if you want to use XP for games.

 

[M.I.5¾]

hello
I've recently purchased a computer with window vista. I guess I am so
used
to xp that I want to remove vista and re load my older version of xp.
Also,
I am not as computer literate as most of you so it might take me a little
while to understand things.

It has been suggested here (somewhat wisely in my view) that it is best to
replace the hard drive with another similar one (if you don't feel able, see
if you can get a friend to show you how - it isn't really that difficult).
This allows you to switch back to Vista should the fancy take you. Further,
it is almost certain that the machine's warranty will only apply if it is
equipped with the original disc with its Vista operating system *and* the
recovery partition.

Then check that your system is compatible with XP. Some of the newest
processors are not compatible with XP (the Viiv processors spring to mind
here). Some are only compatible with XP Pro.

The next task is to gather together all the drivers that you need for XP.
None of the vista drivers will work. It is important to remember that you
not only require drivers for any hardware that you wish to connect, but you
also require drivers for integrated hardware on the PC's motherboard such as
sound and video. Finally (and this is always the big problem), you need all
the drivers for your motherboard chipsets including such things as USB
ports. The manufacturer's or the Motherboard maker's web sites should prove
fruitful here (or not as the case may be). AFAIK, most motherboards should
have XP drivers available.

Once you are confident that you have all the drivers, and you have a
suitable XP installation disk, it is really a matter of just inserting the
disc and following the on screen instructions. You can then install any
left over drivers (including the motherboard drivers) once XP is installed.
One wrinkle is if you have a SATA interfaced hard disk. You may have to
install the SATA driver as part of the installation process (depends on your
BIOS). Unfortunately, the driver has to be on a floppy disc (if you don't
have one in your PC, a USB floppy disc should work - they cost peanuts).
The XP install routine will ask you to press 'F6' to install the driver
early on in the process. There should be no harm in trying it without
first.

HTH...

but I'm confident that you will have more questions.

 

[Mike Cawood, HND BIT]

hello
I've recently purchased a computer with window vista. I guess I am so
used
to xp that I want to remove vista and re load my older version of xp.
Also,
I am not as computer literate as most of you so it might take me a little
while to understand things.

There's nothing wrong with Vista!
Regards Mike.

 

[VanguardLH]

in message

I've recently purchased a computer with window vista. I guess I am
so used
to xp that I want to remove vista and re load my older version of
xp. Also,
I am not as computer literate as most of you so it might take me a
little
while to understand things.

So what type of license is the Windows XP copy that you have? OEM?
If so, has it ever been installed? Was it on THIS computer or a
different one? You'll first need to figure out if you have a legit
copy of Windows XP to use on the computer. If you do, make sure you
have all the drivers for Windows XP for that hardware, along with any
peripherals, like printers, scanners, etc. When you do the boot from
the Windows XP install CD, simply choose to reformat the OS partition
and install Windows XP there. Obviously before you start this you
will need to perform backups of your data file (unless they are in a
different partition or drive and you are willing to risk losing them
in the migrate to a different OS version).

 

[VanguardLH]

in message

...

There's nothing wrong with Vista!

Depends on whether you're talking about 32-bit versus 64-bit modes.
Also, many applications check for a range of operating system version
and do not use an open-ended top boundary which means it is closed and
will fail if a newer version is installed than the top-end of the
closed range test. If the application is critical, it supersedes the
choice for the OS. Consumers tend to buy their computers
ass-backwards, picking the OS and then figuring out what apps will run
on it rather than compiling a list of their critical or important apps
and then figuring out what OS they can use with those.

Considering the piggish system requirements for Vista and how it slows
every host when compared with the same hardware platform as for XP,
yes, there is a problem with Vista. Not everyone appreciates the
demand for better and faster hardware just to get a new OS which is
primarily a makeover, especially to a single consumer versus the
advantages that can be taken in a corporate environment.

If the consumer is willing to go through the growing pains with Vista
for about another couple of years then they should probably move to it
so it is supported during their use of it over several more years.
However, many consumers want to use their OS rather than play with it.

 

[Xandros]

hello
I've recently purchased a computer with window vista. I guess I am so
used
to xp that I want to remove vista and re load my older version of xp.
Also,
I am not as computer literate as most of you so it might take me a little
while to understand things.

I just did that on the new Compaq my wife bought. I had to do some serious
searching for XP drivers. The same is true for a friend of mine who bought a
new HP laptop for his daughter. It isn't impossible but can be a hassle
finding drivers. If you post the make and model of the system here I can
take a look for drivers for you if you like. You will need a retail version
of XP with SP2. It is likely that your new system has a SATA hard drive.
Older versions of XP may not recognize a SATA drive and require you to add
drivers before you can install XP. If your system doesn't have a floppy
drive you could have trouble. But XP with SP2 will find the SATA drive so
that's not a problem. Make certain you backup all important data as you will
be wiping the drive to start over.

 

[Tim Slattery]

hello
I've recently purchased a computer with window vista. I guess I am so used
to xp that I want to remove vista and re load my older version of xp. Also,
I am not as computer literate as most of you so it might take me a little
while to understand things.

IMHO, this would be *much* more trouble than it's worth, especially if
you're not particularly "computer literate". You'd have to buy a copy
of XP (unless you have an unused copy already). You'd have to set your
BIOS to boot from the CD, and install from there. You would have to
hope that you could find XP drivers for everything on your new
machine. That may not be easy and in some cases it may not be
possible.

IMHO, it would be much easier to figure out Vista than to go through
this grief.

 

[Alias]

IMHO, this would be *much* more trouble than it's worth, especially if
you're not particularly "computer literate". You'd have to buy a copy
of XP (unless you have an unused copy already). You'd have to set your
BIOS to boot from the CD, and install from there. You would have to
hope that you could find XP drivers for everything on your new
machine. That may not be easy and in some cases it may not be
possible.

IMHO, it would be much easier to figure out Vista than to go through
this grief.

If the OP bought it "recently" enough, he or she could take it back and
insist on a computer with an OS that isn't in BETA like Vista really is.
No grief there, especially if you take the computer back when there's
lots of customers in the store and make your request in a loud, clear,
but polite, voice. XP's drivers might not work but I bet you that Linux
Ubuntu's would. www.ubuntu.com

Alias

 

[HeyBub]

If the OP bought it "recently" enough, he or she could take it back
and insist on a computer with an OS that isn't in BETA like Vista
really is. No grief there, especially if you take the computer back
when there's lots of customers in the store and make your request in
a loud, clear, but polite, voice. XP's drivers might not work but I
bet you that Linux Ubuntu's would. www.ubuntu.com

The True Beliver is ready to claim all excellence for his nation, his
religion, his race, or his holy cause. Here, we have a claim that some
step-child of Linux contains drivers that will work with new hardware on an
XP operating system. Next week Ubuntu will be able to make pecan pies and
cure bee-bites.

All Linux distributions, combined, have a smaller acceptance percentage than
Dennis Kuchinich got in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. And, unlike
Kuchinich, a re-count has no chance of making it a winner.

 

[Alias]

The True Beliver is ready to claim all excellence for his nation, his
religion, his race, or his holy cause. Here, we have a claim that some
step-child of Linux contains drivers that will work with new hardware on an
XP operating system. Next week Ubuntu will be able to make pecan pies and
cure bee-bites.

All Linux distributions, combined, have a smaller acceptance percentage than
Dennis Kuchinich got in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. And, unlike
Kuchinich, a re-count has no chance of making it a winner.

Um, Ubuntu is being updated continually. XP is on the way out. Connect
the dots, bub.

Alias

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I've recently purchased a computer with window vista. I guess I am so used
to xp that I want to remove vista and re load my older version of xp. Also,
I am not as computer literate as most of you so it might take me a little
while to understand things.

Besides all the other good how-to and whether-you-can advice you've
received, I'd like to recommend that you do *not* do this.

Vista is different from XP in many respects. Don't just try Vista for
a couple of days, and decide that you prefer XP; anything new can be
difficult and frustrating at first. Give yourself time to learn and
become accustomed to the differences before you make such a
decision--a month or two at least.

Almost everyone who goes back to XP now will sooner or later probably
return to Vista anyway, because you will want support for new hardware
or Software that's only supported in Vista. You might as well bite the
bullet and make the effort now. You'll be way ahead in the long run.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

hello
I've recently purchased a computer with window vista. I guess I am so used
to xp that I want to remove vista and re load my older version of xp. Also,
I am not as computer literate as most of you so it might take me a little
while to understand things.

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. (An OEM
CD and license from some previous computer will not do, for legal and
usually technical reasons.)

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 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

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

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

 

[M.I.5¾]

in message



Depends on whether you're talking about 32-bit versus 64-bit modes. Also,
many applications check for a range of operating system version and do not
use an open-ended top boundary which means it is closed and will fail if a
newer version is installed than the top-end of the closed range test. If
the application is critical, it supersedes the choice for the OS.
Consumers tend to buy their computers ass-backwards, picking the OS and
then figuring out what apps will run on it rather than compiling a list of
their critical or important apps and then figuring out what OS they can
use with those.

Considering the piggish system requirements for Vista and how it slows
every host when compared with the same hardware platform as for XP, yes,
there is a problem with Vista. Not everyone appreciates the demand for
better and faster hardware just to get a new OS which is primarily a
makeover, especially to a single consumer versus the advantages that can
be taken in a corporate environment.

If the consumer is willing to go through the growing pains with Vista for
about another couple of years then they should probably move to it so it
is supported during their use of it over several more years. However, many
consumers want to use their OS rather than play with it.

It's also worth remebering that much existing hardware does not have Vista
drivers available for it (and never will have due to Microsoft's policy of
charging money to approve the drivers).

 

[VanguardLH]

It's also worth remebering that much existing hardware does not have
Vista drivers available for it (and never will have due to
Microsoft's policy of charging money to approve the drivers).

That doesn't stop hardware makers from producing drivers for a later
OS version. It does, however, eliminate many from bothering to go
through Microsoft's *certification* process and also having to pay for
it. There are LOTS of drivers that are not certified. That is why
you get the prompt window telling you the driver is not signed but you
don't give a fart and know it is the driver from the maker of the
hardware that you want to get working.

No one needs to have drivers approved by Microsoft for users to use
them.

 

[M.I.5¾]

That doesn't stop hardware makers from producing drivers for a later OS
version. It does, however, eliminate many from bothering to go through
Microsoft's *certification* process and also having to pay for it. There
are LOTS of drivers that are not certified. That is why you get the
prompt window telling you the driver is not signed but you don't give a
fart and know it is the driver from the maker of the hardware that you
want to get working.

No one needs to have drivers approved by Microsoft for users to use them.

AIUI, that is true for XP. But Vista will not install drivers that are not
digitally signed by Microsoft. I don't use Vista, so have no first hand
experience. If what you say is true, why do the hardware vendors use it as
an excuse not to produce Vista drivers?

 

[VanguardLH]

...

AIUI, that is true for XP. But Vista will not install drivers that
are not digitally signed by Microsoft. I don't use Vista, so have
no first hand experience. If what you say is true, why do the
hardware vendors use it as an excuse not to produce Vista drivers?

Drivers from HP for their products are digitally signed by HP, not by
Microsoft. Drivers from nVidia are digitally signed by nVidia, not by
Microsoft. Digitally signed and certified are not the same thing. A
driver can be digitally signed by the producer of that driver but
never get certified by Microsoft.

Why would you waste time to recompile a driver to generate a
Vista-specific one with the XP-compatible driver works just as well?
So the hardware may not have a driver that stipulates it is Vista
*certified* but it will still work. The same happened when XP showed
up: user were installing Win2000 drivers into WinXP although those
drivers were not *certified* for use in WinXP (and whether or not they
were digitally signed).

Even in Windows XP, you will get prompted if the driver is not
digitally signed (not whether or not it has been Microsoft certified).

Go read:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/drvsign/drvsign.mspx

"Administrator privilege is required to install unsigned kernel-mode
components."

"Digital signatures are required for hardware-related drivers and
other kernel components submitted for the Windows Logo Program."

That does not require that Microsoft is the signature owner. The
hardware vendor signs their own software. Think about it: if
Microsoft signed the driver, you would not have the confirmation to
show that it was really written by, say, HP or Intel. Also see
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa906287.aspx. The Windows
Driver Kit (WDK) is free
(http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/DevTools/WDK/WDKpkg.mspx) but you do
have to register. Considering the level at which a driver executes,
would you want to install one that wasn't signed?

See http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/default.mspx for the Windows
Logo program. It merely means that you get to put a "badge" on your
software. Not having the badge does not prevent installing the
software.

For how drivers are installed in Windows Vista (and other versions),
read the .doc provided at
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/driver/install/InstallRules.mspx.
Notice it says, "For Windows Vista, all driver packages must be
trusted to be installed. They can be signed either by Microsoft
through the Windows Logo Program or by another trusted entity through
Microsoft Authenticode® technology." So you could have Microsoft do
the signing (after they do the certification) but that is not
required. Trust also means that YOU can choose to trust an unsigned
driver but you will need to do so while logged in under an admin-level
account. However, it is on the x64 platform where security is more
rigid for Windows Vista in that ALL drivers must be signed. That
doesn't mean they need to signed by Microsoft, just signed.

A driver does not need to be badged by Microsoft as certified. A
driver doesn't even need to be signed to be installed - but would you
install an unsigned driver? If signed, it doesn't need to be signed
by Microsoft (unless, of course, Microsoft produced it).

 

[Hobo]

AIUI, that is true for XP. But Vista will not install drivers that are not
digitally signed by Microsoft. I don't use Vista, so have no first hand
experience. If what you say is true, why do the hardware vendors use it as
an excuse not to produce Vista drivers?

Only Vista 64 bit requires that all drivers be certified by MS.

As to 'why?', so they can sell you their latest hardware and
not have to invest time and money re-writing drivers for all
of their old hardware - no profit to be made there.

Hobo

 

[M.I.5¾]

in message news:[email protected]...

Drivers from HP for their products are digitally signed by HP, not by
Microsoft. Drivers from nVidia are digitally signed by nVidia, not by
Microsoft. Digitally signed and certified are not the same thing. A
driver can be digitally signed by the producer of that driver but never
get certified by Microsoft.

Why would you waste time to recompile a driver to generate a
Vista-specific one with the XP-compatible driver works just as well? So
the hardware may not have a driver that stipulates it is Vista *certified*
but it will still work. The same happened when XP showed up: user were
installing Win2000 drivers into WinXP although those drivers were not
*certified* for use in WinXP (and whether or not they were digitally
signed).

[Snipped: much good stuff for brevity]

I can begin to see where all the confusion arises now. However, I am
bemused by your point that XP drivers works just as well in Vista. If
experience here is anything to go by, that is far from the case. Indeed, I
was contemplating Vista for my latest PC purchase, but have rejected it
because the hardware vendors state categorically that the XP drivers won't
work under Vista and that they have no intention of producing any, citing
signing issues as the excuse.

 

[M.I.5¾]

Only Vista 64 bit requires that all drivers be certified by MS.

As to 'why?', so they can sell you their latest hardware and not have to
invest time and money re-writing drivers for all of their old hardware -
no profit to be made there.

That was what I understood the position was with 32 bit Vista as well, but
as I said I don't use it.