Replace Vista on New Computer

[Guest]

I work with a small non-profit and we were forced to purchase a new computer
when the previous machine failed. The new machine has Vista which will not
run a majority of our programs. Please do not tell us to upgrade our programs
because there is no money to do so.

Is there any way to remove Vista and then install XP Pro? We have a fully
licensed copy of XP Pro and our software runs well with it.

Thank you for any help you can provide!

 

[XS11E]

I work with a small non-profit and we were forced to purchase a
new computer when the previous machine failed. The new machine has
Vista which will not run a majority of our programs. Please do not
tell us to upgrade our programs because there is no money to do
so.

Is there any way to remove Vista and then install XP Pro? We have
a fully licensed copy of XP Pro and our software runs well with
it.

Sure, you'll have to do a clean install. No need to remove anything,
restart the computer and boot on the XP CD (make sure the BIOS is set
to boot on CD) and delete the Vista partition during the setup, install
XP on the partition you deleted.

I hope you have all your files, etc. backed up from your old computer?

 

[Duncan]

The Vista license has downgrade rights generally, meaning that your license
for Vista can be converted into an XP Pro license. What you can do is backup
your files on the Vista machine, then using the XP Pro disc install XP on
that machine (do a clean install - ie: wipe your harddrive is usually the
best thing to do). When prompted for the product key, use the XP Pro product
key. When you go to activate, the XP Pro key will fail activation, choose
telephone activation and speak to somebody at Microsoft and explain that you
are using your downgrade rights to convert a Vista license to XP Pro. That
should be all you have to do.

Cheers

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your help. And yes, we did have everything backed up!

 

[Michael Solomon]

Thank you for your help. And yes, we did have everything backed up!

Remember, you'll need to find XP drivers for all the hardware that came with
the computer.

 

[Andy]

Remember, you'll need to find XP drivers for all the hardware that came
with the computer.
--

Also remember that a lot of systems that ship with Windows Vista do not have
XP drivers (I'm thinking Notebooks mainly, but I have seen a couple desktops
with no valid Windows XP drivers for like Audio). So you might check with
the PC maker.

If you bought your system an a brick and mortar store you might call and ask
if they sell computers with XP installed. Downgrading from Vista to XP may
invalidate some warranties, but don't quote me on that.