Downgrade from Vista to XP

[pingpong]

Hi All.....
can someone help me!
I'm not liking Vista at all, it's giving me the shits....
I wanna downgrade back to Xp Pro but having difficulties and all the research I'm doing I can't seem to get it to work.

Any ideas?

[unionflag]

Can you be more specific -- like have you managed to install XP and, if so, what is it you can't get to work?

And are you aware that you need to install different device drivers for XP? (the Vista ones aren't compatible).

[pingpong]

I have tried the xp installation CD, tried to restore as well as install and it gives me the error that there is no space to install and won't allow me to do it. I can't even seem to find a format selection.

I wasn't aware about installing the device drivers....
what devices are they?
Sorry I'm not very good at this....

[snooker]

Hi , If you are able or allow to install XP meaning you can or have the following drivers > chipset , video , audio and net adapter , if you do ? Then follow instruction below


The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.


7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

Note: If you are unable to activate Windows XP via the internet,
then select the option to "activate by telephone".

[pingpong]

But what if your unable to install the xp CD and it won't allow it....

[snooker]

Originally Posted by pingpong

But what if your unable to install the xp CD and it won't allow it....

What do you mean it wouldn't allow ? Do you actually have a Microsoft Windows xp disk ? If so ? Do you know how to enter your Bios setting and set the CD Rom as your first bootable order ?

[pingpong]

Yes, I do have a legetiment Microsoft XP disk.
Once I load up my computer and set the BIOS to CD ROM, it loads the CD ROM.
And then it gives me the selection of wither Restoring or Installing and if I go to either of them it tells me that I have a newer version of Microsoft and won't allow me to reinstall ontop or format

[snooker]

Originally Posted by pingpong

Yes, I do have a legetiment Microsoft XP disk.

Is this an OEM version or retail ? Also do you have those drivers needed ? If you can't find drivers for xp then its not even worth trying to figure out whether you can or can't format the drive and install xp ...

[pingpong]

It is an OEM version and I am able to install over an xp pc but when it comes to reinstalling over a vista xp it won't allow it! And I do have drivers that are needed....

[snooker]

Originally Posted by pingpong

It is an OEM version and I am able to install over an xp pc but when it comes to reinstalling over a vista xp it won't allow it! And I do have drivers that are needed....

That because your XP OEM version will only work on the original pc it was installed on , you can't transfer it unto a different pc . You would need to get another copy of XP to do that . Why don't you like Vista ? What problems are you having with it ? To be honest I would try to understand Vista before giving up on it . I like Xp and I like Vista . Now I like Windows 7 and I think its the next big one . Windows 7 is just like Vista but a little smoother . So sooner or later your going to need to learn and understand Vista/windows 7 style .