VISTA with downgrade option to XP

[Bugsy]

I have to buy a new computer and am very reluctant to use VISTA (I
personally like XP Home). However, there aren't a whole lot of options out
there in the stores.

One option I did hear about is buying a computer with VISTA installed and
with the option of downgrading (free) to Windows XP Pro.

Has anyone had experience with this downgrade? Can a novice do it or does
it have to be done by a technician?

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

If there is a package that includes a "downgrade" the vendor (computer
seller) would have to provide the media and instructions. It's not
something that a casual user should expect to do, especially if there are
files or settings or documents to be transferred between the two systems.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

I have to buy a new computer and am very reluctant to use VISTA (I
personally like XP Home). However, there aren't a whole lot of options out
there in the stores.

One option I did hear about is buying a computer with VISTA installed and
with the option of downgrading (free) to Windows XP Pro.

Has anyone had experience with this downgrade? Can a novice do it or does
it have to be done by a technician?

Any advice much appreciated.

After using Vista, you may find that you like it more than XP. Instead of
listening to the FUD of others, most of whom are just out to discredit
Microsoft any way they can, try it out first..



--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Steve Thackery]

I agree with Mike: try Vista first to see what you think. Remember, the
people who post here are NOT REMOTELY representative of the 100+ million
Vista users out there.

A "downgrade" from Vista to XP isn't really practical, EXCEPT in the sense
that you would have to reformat the hard disk and install XP from scratch.
In itself not a problem, of course, so long as you've got all the disks,
drivers, etc.

SteveT

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Usually Home Basic and Premium do not have downgrade rights, only Business
and Ultimate. And the downgrade usually has to be to XP Pro, not Home.
Keep that in mind. As Richard says, it depends on the vendor as to whether
downgrade rights are offered. As of June 30 vendors may not be offering it
anymore anyway. Otherwise, the user would simply provide XP at his own
expense and reinstall. That, however, would usually void vendor support for
the computer. It also depends on whether the vendor is even providing XP
drivers for the computer. More and more are not. Investigate with your
vendor first.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Downgrade rights exist for all OEM versions of Vista Business and Ultimate.
Home versions do not have downgrade rights. It is much easier for you if you
deal with an OEM who will help you with this. If they won't you would have
to obtain a copy of XP Pro, install it, then phone for authorization and
convince the tech you were legitimate. The hard part may be finding XP
drivers. The activation is relatively straightforward. I've done it a couple
of times.

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

Like the other answers you received I recommend you give Vista a try. I
would not want to go back to XP personally.

 

[Mick Murphy]

If you really want XP, you CAN buy it from OEMs like Dell, HP(if you ASK),
until the end of this month, June 30th, 2008.

 

[The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly]

After using Vista, you may find that you like it more than XP. Instead
of listening to the FUD of others, most of whom are just out to
discredit Microsoft any way they can, try it out first..

You can spend all that money to try it out first and then have to pay
for another license to switch OSes just to find out that another OS
won't work on your machine because of drivers or something else as Mike
Hall MVP suggests or you can just stay with what you know just works for
you. Doesn't sound like much of a choice to me.

--
"Fair use is not merely a nice concept--it is a federal law based on
free speech rights under the First Amendment and is a cornerstone of the
creativity and innovation that is a hallmark of this country. Consumer
rights in the digital age are not frivolous."
- Maura Corbett

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

"The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy'"

You can spend all that money to try it out first and then have to pay for
another license to switch OSes just to find out that another OS won't work
on your machine because of drivers or something else as Mike Hall MVP
suggests or you can just stay with what you know just works for you.
Doesn't sound like much of a choice to me.

--
"Fair use is not merely a nice concept--it is a federal law based on free
speech rights under the First Amendment and is a cornerstone of the
creativity and innovation that is a hallmark of this country. Consumer
rights in the digital age are not frivolous."
- Maura Corbett

There is more choice, though. The OP could decide to use a Linux variant
which may not run any of the third party programming already owned..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[xfile]

A "downgrade" from Vista to XP isn't really practical,[...]

Speaking of practical, wasting time on learning things that one already
learned without any improved productivity is not exactly practical. That
doesn't include all the time trying to find out if there are any
incompatibility issues of hardware and software.

And the OP would double the time on a simple thing if he did follow the
nonsense advise and found out he/she had problems with the OS.

I can see a tech support who has nothing better to do to do all these stuffs
but for the rest of other users, the time wasted may have better spent on
other things.

He asked for advise on downgrade experience not for irresponsible sales
pitch by poor sales guys.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

To all of those that say try Vista first- I say- by all means do so but
not on your operational PC/Laptop since if you do not like it you will
pay a steep price in time lost and money wasted. I Have tried Vista, and
like some things, specifically its improved UI, BUT:

1. It's performance is simply unacceptable on my Lenovo 3000 N200 with
2GB ram. This is a dual core machine with enough ram!
2. I CANNOT get my N95 cellphone to work effectively via Nokia PC Suite
over Bluetooth- it is simply unusably slow (like 3 bytes a second! -
that is not a typo- not KBytes, just Bytes)- I have to use the USB cable
option (This was not a problem in XP)
3. I have MANY problems with networking
4. I get mysterious "Your system unexpectibly crashed, check the
problem next time you go online", but no answers are found.

BTW: I have all needed virus/firewall/anti-spyware apps in place and my
system is clean.

In summary- from my point of view this OS is simply not ready yet
... Unless there is a major problem with my laptop model, which
does not see to be the case from its technical specs point of view.

I am really frustrated because I have bought a laptop with good money,
only to find it less useful and less productive than what I was working
on a year ago, BUT I cannot downgrade without paying a handful to lenovo
support (buy XP Pro, bring it to them, and then pay them $100 for the
process which can take up to 5 business days!). I can do it myself, but
am too busy to do so. I am seriously considering moving to the Mac. (and
no- I am not a Mac gurilla warrior ), but I am so angry that if I had
the time and money I would take lenovo to court on this.

Not everybody has your problems, and many would not agree with your view
that Vista should never have been released.

The major variable re Vista is the machine on which it is installed..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Rod Flash]

Hi, Richard, haven't heard from you in a long time! Glad to see you (still)
don't post as 'Richard Harper - MVP'. I must set up the block rule on *this*
box for those MVPs who stretch their arm up, trying their damndest to touch
god (presumably - as opposed to kiss the sky) crying "Miss! Miss! Ask me!
I'm an MVP, Miss! Don't ask *them*, *they're* not MVPs! Ask *me*!".

I'll check your blog out then, later.


PRF

If there is a package that includes a "downgrade" the vendor (computer
seller) would have to provide the media and instructions. It's not
something that a casual user should expect to do, especially if there are
files or settings or documents to be transferred between the two systems.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

I have to buy a new computer and am very reluctant to use VISTA (I
personally like XP Home). However, there aren't a whole lot of options
out there in the stores.

One option I did hear about is buying a computer with VISTA installed and
with the option of downgrading (free) to Windows XP Pro.

Has anyone had experience with this downgrade? Can a novice do it or
does it have to be done by a technician?

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Hi, Richard, haven't heard from you in a long time! Glad to see you
(still) don't post as 'Richard Harper - MVP'. I must set up the block rule
on *this* box for those MVPs who stretch their arm up, trying their
damndest to touch god (presumably - as opposed to kiss the sky) crying
"Miss! Miss! Ask me! I'm an MVP, Miss! Don't ask *them*, *they're* not
MVPs! Ask *me*!".

I'll check your blog out then, later.


PRF

If there is a package that includes a "downgrade" the vendor (computer
seller) would have to provide the media and instructions. It's not
something that a casual user should expect to do, especially if there are
files or settings or documents to be transferred between the two systems.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/

I have to buy a new computer and am very reluctant to use VISTA (I
personally like XP Home). However, there aren't a whole lot of options
out there in the stores.

One option I did hear about is buying a computer with VISTA installed
and with the option of downgrading (free) to Windows XP Pro.

Has anyone had experience with this downgrade? Can a novice do it or
does it have to be done by a technician?

Any advice much appreciated.

Your concept, not ours..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx