Question:
Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
I really don't like this vista. when i put xp disc it doesn't let em load it. Is there a way to have xp pro in a vista comp?
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
You could use VMware or Virtual PC to run XP in a virtual environment... What exactly do you want?
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
You could format your hard drive do delete Windows Vista completely. Than install Windows XP on it.
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
Since we will eventually be forced to Vista no matter what, you might as well keep it. Remember dual booting is always an option.
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
Yes, there is... but the steps will vary somwhat from one model to another. The basic steps are:
1) Grab all the drivers (for XP) that you are going to need from the manufacturer's website. Burn them to CD/DVD, or copy to a flash drive.
2) Backup eveything you need/want.
3) (For systems with SATA hard drives only.) Reboot. Go into BIOS. Set "Native SATA Mode" (or similar function) to disabled. Alternatively, you can create an XP install disc with the drivers integrated, if you feel like messing with nlite, or if you don't have any other option.
4) Reboot to the Windows XP CD. It "should" find your hard drive if you have the BIOS correctly, or correctly created a modified disc. Select where to install, do a quick format (you will lose EVERYTHING) and let it do its thing.
5) Enter your product key and other info when asked, and an hour or so after starting you should have a "clean" XP system.
6) Install the drivers you grabbed off the manufacturer's website. Reinstall any software you use, and copy back your data files.
That should be it. Not a fun process, but ti usually works.
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
Since we will eventually be forced to Vista no matter what, you might as well keep it. Remember dual booting is always an option.
Why would he be forced to use Vista?
Depending on the tasks he uses his laptop for he might never need Vista.
Dual booting is an option but if you really hate Vista and never plan to use it then there's no real point to keep it on your system. You could always format again and re-install Vista later down the road if you wanted to.
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
I really don't like this vista. when i put xp disc it doesn't let em load it. Is there a way to have xp pro in a vista comp?
It'd be helpful to state what notebook it is you have?
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
Is this the first time you install an OS on your laptop?
You have to change the boot order in BIOS to make it actually try to boot from the CD. Otherwise it'll happily ignore that and boot from the harddrive instead.
Apart from that, you should probably look around for drivers so you have them ready for when you've reinstalled, since XP probably won't have all the drivers you need. (Be sure to *at least* have a network driver ready on a usb stick or something. Once you can get online, you can download the remaining drivers if neccesary, but it's hard to do anything without network capability.
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
You could format your hard drive do delete Windows Vista completely. Than install Windows XP on it.
That works very well ;) Or dual booting.
Any why is going from Vista to XP Pro a downgrade? I consider having more control and the ability to access more things on your computer (without permission) an upgrade :D
Answer:
Re: Is it possible to downgrade from Vista to Xp Pro?
Why would he be forced to use Vista?
Depending on the tasks he uses his laptop for he might never need Vista.
Dual booting is an option but if you really hate Vista and never plan to use it then there's no real point to keep it on your system. You could always format again and re-install Vista later down the road if you wanted to.
Vista to XP is as XP is to 2k. Yes, 2k will give you more manual control, but eventually, everyone moved to XP and 2k was ignored by most people (at least the people I know). Besides, Vista should be much more usable after SP1 (perhaps even more so that XP). I'm just saying that since he has Vista pre-installed (no driver hassles, etc), it would be prudent to use leave it on the HD.
Anyways, as others have said, make sure you put the optical drive at the top of the boot sequence. If you don't have an external HD, then you could always make a second partition first (use something like Acronis Director or Partition Magic) and move all your data there first (including the drivers).