Tech Support > Microsoft Windows > downgrade vista to xp HELP !!!
downgrade vista to xp HELP !!!
Posted by Tillpott on April 20th, 2008


Hi

would someone please give me step by step instructions on how to downgrade a
new HP desktop from vista to xp?

I am blonde but capable ... lol ... and I can follow instructions . . . lol

thanks in advance


Posted by Pegasus \(MVP\) on April 20th, 2008



"Tillpott" <Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BFF8FD5F-0109-41C5-BCA2-F67C636E4754@microsoft.com...
It can't be done - you need to perform a full installation of WinXP.



Posted by PD43 on April 20th, 2008


Tillpott <Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

Not only will you need to buy a retail copy of XP and perform a full
installation, you will need XP drivers for the equipment in your
desktop... and there might not be any/enough.

Posted by farid on April 20th, 2008


I would suggest you continue useing Vista. It's a bit slow in loading but
otherwise there are no problems.
Get all the updates given by Microsoft and you will start liking the Vista.
Cheers,
Farid

"Tillpott" <Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BFF8FD5F-0109-41C5-BCA2-F67C636E4754@microsoft.com...


Posted by DL on April 20th, 2008


First thing to do is to visit HP support site & check that winxp drivers are
avilable for your specific system

"Tillpott" <Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BFF8FD5F-0109-41C5-BCA2-F67C636E4754@microsoft.com...


Posted by Rock on April 20th, 2008


"Tillpott" <Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
There is no mechanism to "downgrade" from Vista to XP. You need to install
XP from an installation disk using it's own key. Before you purchase a
retail copy of XP you'll need to go to the computer manufacturer's tech
support website and see if there are XP drivers available for your computer.
Many manufacturer's of new computers are not providing XP drivers. If they
are not available then XP won't run on your system. If XP drivers are
available download them and burn them to a CD. Backup the data you need to
save, then see this link for information on how to install XP.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

--
Rock [MS-MVP]


Posted by Tillpott on April 20th, 2008


Not for me to choose I am doing it for a friend. But personally I do prefer
XP and I would not change.

"farid" wrote:

Posted by Tillpott on April 20th, 2008


Purchasing a retial copy of Xp is not the problem ~ have already done that.

Just need someone to step by step me thru it ~

"PD43" wrote:

Posted by Tillpott on April 20th, 2008


Thanks Rock,

Have requested the computers details from my friend ~ it is only about 4
mths old ~ but he is having a lot of issues with Vista and is only just
learning the computer @ 60yrs ~ and is not very computer literate and want it
changed to be like his sons, something he is familiar with.

Buying a retail XP CD is not an issue ~ he's ok with that.

I do relaize it will be the drivers I have to look for on HP when I get the
make anmd model.

What I would like is a HOW TO on changing the os. I need simple istructions
that I can follow. I have read about SATA and BIOS and have no Idea how to
find them let alone change them or turn them off.

So what ever is required ~ I need instructions to follow.

Can you point me to anywhere that will assist me ?

He does not have much on his computer and what he has I can back up on my
external hard drive.

Thanks for your help

"Rock" wrote:

Posted by Rock on April 20th, 2008


"Tillpott" <Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

I gave you a link for how to clean install XP.

--
Rock [MS-MVP]


Posted by Script on April 20th, 2008



"Tillpott" wrote:

You are, most likely, "putting the cart before the horse".
When you get the HP make/model, go to the HP site.
After entering the above, choosing XP as the OS, and going to "Downloads" to
get the drivers you will need - you'll probably see no XP drivers.
Therefore, no XP install, at all. (And no tech support from HP, if you try
it.)

Posted by Robert Moir on April 20th, 2008



"Tillpott" <Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2499CDA0-7B5A-49B0-BA1F-B53FBA1FDFE4@microsoft.com...

Michael Steven's guide, that rock pointed you at earlier, is actually pretty
good. You might find similar guides around but I'm not sure you'll find
better. Also, lots of people here know that guide so if you step through
that and post here if you get stuck you should be sure that people here will
understand the guide you are using and what it is trying to do.




Posted by Script on April 20th, 2008


"Tillpott" wrote:


http://www.thegline.com/windows/wind...sers_guide_to/



Posted by JR on April 20th, 2008


On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:31:00 -0700, Tillpott
<Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

laptops to XP and they sent me CDs with XP and the set of proper
drivers for the model. They also warned me that I'd have to downgrade
the BIOS, for the original one was Vista only...

Posted by HeyBub on April 20th, 2008


Tillpott wrote:
What you're attempting has been proven to be a very effective way of losing
a friend.

Anyway, if you've purchased a retail copy of XP, the instructions should
come with the software. Give it a try.

Warning:
Additional preliminary steps are needed if your putative "friend" has
anything that needs saving before the installation.



Posted by Ken Blake, MVP on April 20th, 2008


On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:31:00 -0700, Tillpott
<Tillpott@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


Two points:

1. Downgrades are never supported, and you can *not* do what you want.
The only way to go from Vista to XP is to install XP cleanly, from
scratch, losing everything on the drive.

2. Before you do this, make sure that any needed XP drivers are
available for the particular computer. You are less likely to run into
a problem with this on a desktop than on a laptop, but check to be
sure.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Posted by none@none on April 20th, 2008


Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
Not A Good Idea As Microsoft Plans 2 Discontinue Support 4 Windows XP
Home Users (4 All Versions Of Windows XP) On April 14th, 2009, Just FYI.
Your Better Option Is 2 Migrate Over 2 Linux, Just FYI.

Posted by Bruce Chambers on April 20th, 2008


Tillpott wrote:

It's your computer, so the choice is, ultimately, yours. (Although
it would have been a lot simpler to have just purchased the computer
with WinXP installed, to start with.)

However, there could be a couple possible adverse repercussions of
which you should be aware. First and foremost, if the specific computer
model in question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be
no WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's
diverse components work properly. Consult the computer's manufacturer
about the availability of device drivers. Secondly, removing an
OEM-installed operating system and replacing it with another will almost
invariably void any and all support agreements and, sometimes, even the
warranty. You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista before
getting any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the
computer's manufacturer for specifics. Thirdly, there may be the
additional cost involved in purchasing a WinXP license for this new
computer.

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then, assuming you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific
device drivers so that the computer can be made to work with WinXP, the
backed up data can be restored and applications (those that are
WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Posted by Daave on April 21st, 2008


none@none wrote:
Hogwash.

Extended support (security updates) will be available through 2014.
Combined with Usenet, that should be just fine.



Posted by Tillpott on April 23rd, 2008


Hey Bruce Thanks for the info

I have contacted HP and they are more than happy to supply me with the
relevent drivers needed after the downgrade to XP.

They recommended making a full set of recovery CD's before I change anything
which makes a whole lot of sense.

Would you mind explaining what you mean by (You may need to re-arrange the
order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.) as I have never
installed an OS before from scratch and would appreciate the guidance.

I have noted the other links and will study those also.

Thank you everyone most have been very helpful


"Bruce Chambers" wrote: