Use XP disk and leagally register/Activate on a Vista machine.

[Nicholas Scott]

My XP laptop died. I am buying one with Vista on it but I am worried
that there may be some software incompatibilities with my primary
software. They all run well on XP.

If I do have problems, is it possible to wipe my hard drive of Vista and
install the Genuine XP I have. Will I be able to re-register/activate
with Microsoft? Or can XP overwrite Vista and register the license?

I've researched the laptops and found what I need at gateway. But they
want and additional $50 to install XP rather than vista and no upgrade
certificate for the future.

thanks

 

[Bob I]

Unless you went and bought a Retail copy of Xp and put it on the old
laptop, the one that came with it died with it. In other words, no you
can't move an OEM copy of Windows.

 

[Nicholas Scott]

Actually, I bought the laptop in 2001 with Windows ME and got an upgrade
certificate for soon to be released XP. I eventually got the Win XP disk
with that. It was the same situation. All my software was working with
ME and I did not want to risk a problem.

 

[Ghostrider]

Actually, I bought the laptop in 2001 with Windows ME and got an upgrade
certificate for soon to be released XP. I eventually got the Win XP disk
with that. It was the same situation. All my software was working with
ME and I did not want to risk a problem.

Since the Windows ME + Windows XP upgrade died with the laptop, might
as well take a look at all of the software that needs to run on the new
laptop for compatibility with Vista. Keep and re-install those that will
run on Vista and replace/upgrade those that will not. It might also be
cost-effective if some of the new software can be bundled into the price
of the new laptop.

 

[Ron Martell]

Since the Windows ME + Windows XP upgrade died with the laptop, might
as well take a look at all of the software that needs to run on the new
laptop for compatibility with Vista. Keep and re-install those that will
run on Vista and replace/upgrade those that will not. It might also be
cost-effective if some of the new software can be bundled into the price
of the new laptop.

That is not correct. The OEM Windows Me license died with the
computer that it came with, but the retail upgrade license for Windows
XP remains valid and can be re-used on another computer (or even
sold).

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Ron Martell]

My XP laptop died. I am buying one with Vista on it but I am worried
that there may be some software incompatibilities with my primary
software. They all run well on XP.

If I do have problems, is it possible to wipe my hard drive of Vista and
install the Genuine XP I have. Will I be able to re-register/activate
with Microsoft? Or can XP overwrite Vista and register the license?

I've researched the laptops and found what I need at gateway. But they
want and additional $50 to install XP rather than vista and no upgrade
certificate for the future.

thanks

1. Check Tiger Direct (www.tigerdirect.com) They have had some good
deals recently on new and factory refurbished laptops with XP
installed.

2. An OEM license for Windows Vista Ulitmate or Vista Business
includes downgrade rights to install Windows XP. With these licenses
you install an available copy of XP (even if the product key is
already in use on another machine), do a telephone activation and tell
the Microsoft rep that you want a Vista downgrade.

Note that Vista Home Basic or Home Premium do not include these
downgrade rights.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My XP laptop died. I am buying one with Vista on it but I am worried
that there may be some software incompatibilities with my primary
software. They all run well on XP.

If I do have problems, is it possible to wipe my hard drive of Vista
and install the Genuine XP I have. Will I be able to re-register/activate
with Microsoft? Or can XP overwrite Vista and
register the license?
I've researched the laptops and found what I need at gateway. But they
want and additional $50 to install XP rather than vista and no upgrade
certificate for the future.

You've already gotten answers to your question, but I wanted to add another
thought:

What is the software you're concerned with? My experience is that, except
for a few utilities, all of the software on my XP machine ran just fine when
I upgraded to Vista. Before you worry about possibly downgrading to XP, do
you have the same software on your desktop computer? If so, run the Vista
Upgrade Advisor at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

or http://tinyurl.com/3b27j6

 

[Bob I]

That is not correct. The OEM Windows Me license died with the
computer that it came with, but the retail upgrade license for Windows
XP remains valid and can be re-used on another computer (or even
sold).

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

It was my understanding that it was an "OEM" upgrade offer that came
with the ME laptop as opposed to a "purchased retail upgrade".