Vista to XP Pro

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

We just bought new computers for the business and they came with Vista
Ultimate. Is it possible to go back to XP Pro. After getting the new
equipment we a finding out that our software won't run on Vista so
basically the computers are useless unless we can revert back to XP Pro.

Everything is new right now so if we have to wipe out the hard drive I
don't think it will be a problem.

Do you have WinXP drivers for the hardware?

 

[PvdG42]

We just bought new computers for the business and they came with Vista
Ultimate. Is it possible to go back to XP Pro. After getting the new
equipment we a finding out that our software won't run on Vista so
basically the computers are useless unless we can revert back to XP Pro.
e
Everything is new right now so if we have to wipe out the hard drive I
don't think it will be a problem.

Have you contacted the people who developed "your software" to see if they
have a remedy? Of course, I know nothing about the size of your business, or
whether you have an IT staff/person, but the first thing *somebody* should
have done/written into the contract was to require that the new computers be
capable of running "your software" as delivered.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

DM

The only gotcha about buying a PC, before you decide on the OS is, "is the
hardware on the PC supported by drivers for the OS" ???

Some newer hardware does not support XP compatible drivers and some older
hardware does not support Vista compatible drivers.

 

[DM]

I'm glad you clarified this up. I've always been told to, in an implied
manner that it's as easy as
just, buying a blank machine and picking out the software you want and load
it.

That was going to be my next approach instead of just going to wally world
and getting one off the shelf. Getting away from buying bogged down machines
that are half built (512MB RAM instead of 1-2G RAM).

guess I could either buy the blank machine from a vendor and upgrade (select
OS) it during the purchase as they will have to ensure the drivers or know,
thanks to this forum, to buy a blank
machine with the proper drivers.

 

[Canuck57]

DM

The only gotcha about buying a PC, before you decide on the OS is, "is the
hardware on the PC supported by drivers for the OS" ???

Some newer hardware does not support XP compatible drivers and some older
hardware does not support Vista compatible drivers.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience

Agreed. But it is also why I research a system for maximum compatibility
before I buy anything. Even if one were to choose Vista today, I might run
XP, Linux, a BSD or even Solaris on it in as little as a year. So the
systems and parts I buy, have drivers for all or I simply do not buy. Most
vendor web sites and googling ferit out the the vendor dependant stuff
pretty quick. For example, the recent video card I bought, I went to the
venders web site, downloaded all the drivers and examined the release and
maintenance dates. This included XP and Vista, not just Linux and others.
Because there is really no need for a PC to be "Vista" only, absolutely no
logical reason at all. If I take that route, I might as well buy a Mac.

In fact, a "Vista" only machine is a sign of trouble. Unstable newly
developed drivers to start. Most expensive. Possibly fad devices. And
quite easy to avoid reducing consumer risk. While a commonly supported part
often has better drivers as the tech is shared and open.

Broadcom for example, one of their popular wireless chip set's reference
system uses Linux but they don't release 54g drivers for it. So they are on
my blacklist of devices I do not buy. And favor Atheros or others.

I didn't find it hard to get XP drivers, in fact amazed that I could also
get XP x64 drivers for everything. But Microsoft does not sell XP Pro x64
to users. Because if Vista SP1 isn't good.....

 

[Canuck57]

I'm glad you clarified this up. I've always been told to, in an implied
manner that it's as easy as
just, buying a blank machine and picking out the software you want and
load
it.

That was going to be my next approach instead of just going to wally world
and getting one off the shelf. Getting away from buying bogged down
machines
that are half built (512MB RAM instead of 1-2G RAM).

guess I could either buy the blank machine from a vendor and upgrade
(select
OS) it during the purchase as they will have to ensure the drivers or
know, thanks to this forum, to buy a blank
machine with the proper drivers.

The big key is to find out which motherboard the vendor is using. Be it HP,
Dell, Acer or others, they all use motherboards from a set of manufacturers
like ASUS, ABit, etc. See what drivers you can download for it in advance
before you buy. Some vendors actually even tell you in the tech specs which
mobo it is.

Do note, sometimes part numers might vary a bit. If ASUS makes the mobo for
HP, the last letters may be different but are in fact just customized BIOS
for the manufacturer. Boots HP, but ASUS inside.

There are really not that many machines in todays market place that will
only run Vista. Infact, I am not really aware of any desktops like this.
But there may be a few laptops with this handcap. But most will run XP
anything or Linux.

The only reason vendors say "Vista <version> Only", is that their support is
geared towards one specific OS/HW model. The minute you add memory or disk,
they might not support it. Same if you go 32 bit to 64 bit with Vista, they
most likely do not support it.

But being able to run it, and suporting are two different things and should
not be interchanged. It is misleading.