Replace Vista with XP Pro

[jimt]

I'm not new to computers but I have not done many OS installs.

I just got a laptop, A Dell XPS 1530 with Core 2 DUO. It came pre-loaded
with Vista Home Premium. I don't want Vista for several reasons including
bloat and that some of my programs are not compatible.

So, I need to remove Vista and put XP on. I'm certain this is possible, I'm
just not sure what pitfalls there might be and what is the best way to do
this.

Anyone have an essentially foolproof method?

 

[peter]

The best way would be to phone Dell and see if you can downgrade to XP by
means of a set of disks that Dell would send you..
The 2nd best would be to search the Dell website and see if they have XP
drivers for your particular model...no drivers..no luck.
You do realise that the Warranty will be null and void if you do go ahead
with this??

The desperate way would be to just go out and buy XP and
install....formatting the HD in the process...and hoping that the XP
generic drivers work with whatever hardware that laptop has...

What programs are not compatible??
peter

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Dell sells laptop computers with Windows XP preinstalled.
Contact Dell and explain your situation to them.

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

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

I'm not new to computers but I have not done many OS installs.

I just got a laptop, A Dell XPS 1530 with Core 2 DUO. It came pre-loaded
with Vista Home Premium. I don't want Vista for several reasons including
bloat and that some of my programs are not compatible.

So, I need to remove Vista and put XP on. I'm certain this is possible, I'm
just not sure what pitfalls there might be and what is the best way to do
this.

Anyone have an essentially foolproof method?

 

[Andy]

I'm not new to computers but I have not done many OS installs.

I just got a laptop, A Dell XPS 1530 with Core 2 DUO. It came pre-loaded
with Vista Home Premium. I don't want Vista for several reasons including
bloat and that some of my programs are not compatible.

So, I need to remove Vista and put XP on. I'm certain this is possible, I'm
just not sure what pitfalls there might be and what is the best way to do
this.

Anyone have an essentially foolproof method?

1. Run Belarc Advisor to show the hardware devices (chipset, video,
lan, sound, etc.) in the laptop.
2. Go online to the websites of the manufacturers of the devices and
download the Windows XP drivers to a flash drive.
3. Go into the laptop bios setup and change the mode of the SATA
interface from AHCI to IDE.
4. Boot from the Windows XP CD and install.