Welcome to RCF - WHF

Bobby · Dec 31, 2004

Source:
http://www.bootdisk.com:80/

4) Downgrade To XP From Vista

Rickb54 posted - If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I
downgrade to XP using an XP upgrade disk, or do I need a full
copy of XP?

Ken B. responded:
You can never do any kind of downgrade of Microsoft operating
systems. Downgrades are never supported.

So you can *not* downgrade from Vista to XP. However, if you own
a copy of a qualifying operating system (such as Windows 98) for
an upgrade to XP, you can use that with an XP Upgrade CD. Just do
a clean installation of XP by booting from the CD and deleting
the existing partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then
creating a new one. You will be prompted to insert the previous
operating system's CD as proof of ownership.

Two additional points however:

1. If the machine comes with Vista, you may have trouble getting
the XP drivers you need for all its hardware.

2. The manufacturer may consider your warranty void if you change
operating system.

I recommend that you stick with Vista, but if you want XP, it's
much better to buy a machine that comes with XP.

Shenan S. said:
In order to 'downgrade' - you must format and install Windows XP
anew. Since Windows Vista | Windows XP is not an accepted upgrade
path, unless you have a Windows 9x, Windows MW, Windows 2000 CD
laying around you can use as qualifying media - you must have a
full version of Windows XP to do a clean install.

smlunatick adds:
Please read the 'fine print" in the warranty of the new machine,
when you purchase it. I have seen several "other" pre-installed
Windows where the warranty would not be "honored" if Windows
Vista is removed.

*** Essentially, in summary, note that if you buy a new PC from a
major maker with Vista installed, there may NOT be drivers for
that system for previous versions of Windows.

4) Downgrade To XP From Vista

Rickb54 posted - If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I
downgrade to XP using an XP upgrade disk, or do I need a full
copy of XP?

Ken B. responded:
You can never do any kind of downgrade of Microsoft operating
systems. Downgrades are never supported.

So you can *not* downgrade from Vista to XP. However, if you own
a copy of a qualifying operating system (such as Windows 98) for
an upgrade to XP, you can use that with an XP Upgrade CD. Just do
a clean installation of XP by booting from the CD and deleting
the existing partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then
creating a new one. You will be prompted to insert the previous
operating system's CD as proof of ownership.

Two additional points however:

1. If the machine comes with Vista, you may have trouble getting
the XP drivers you need for all its hardware.

2. The manufacturer may consider your warranty void if you change
operating system.

I recommend that you stick with Vista, but if you want XP, it's
much better to buy a machine that comes with XP.

Shenan S. said:
In order to 'downgrade' - you must format and install Windows XP
anew. Since Windows Vista | Windows XP is not an accepted upgrade
path, unless you have a Windows 9x, Windows MW, Windows 2000 CD
laying around you can use as qualifying media - you must have a
full version of Windows XP to do a clean install.

smlunatick adds:
Please read the 'fine print" in the warranty of the new machine,
when you purchase it. I have seen several "other" pre-installed
Windows where the warranty would not be "honored" if Windows
Vista is removed.

*** Essentially, in summary, note that if you buy a new PC from a
major maker with Vista installed, there may NOT be drivers for
that system for previous versions of Windows.

4) Downgrade To XP From Vista

Rickb54 posted - If I buy a new machine with Vista, can I
downgrade to XP using an XP upgrade disk, or do I need a full
copy of XP?

Ken B. responded:
You can never do any kind of downgrade of Microsoft operating
systems. Downgrades are never supported.

So you can *not* downgrade from Vista to XP. However, if you own
a copy of a qualifying operating system (such as Windows 98) for
an upgrade to XP, you can use that with an XP Upgrade CD. Just do
a clean installation of XP by booting from the CD and deleting
the existing partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then
creating a new one. You will be prompted to insert the previous
operating system's CD as proof of ownership.

Two additional points however:

1. If the machine comes with Vista, you may have trouble getting
the XP drivers you need for all its hardware.

2. The manufacturer may consider your warranty void if you change
operating system.

I recommend that you stick with Vista, but if you want XP, it's
much better to buy a machine that comes with XP.

Shenan S. said:
In order to 'downgrade' - you must format and install Windows XP
anew. Since Windows Vista | Windows XP is not an accepted upgrade
path, unless you have a Windows 9x, Windows MW, Windows 2000 CD
laying around you can use as qualifying media - you must have a
full version of Windows XP to do a clean install.

smlunatick adds:
Please read the 'fine print" in the warranty of the new machine,
when you purchase it. I have seen several "other" pre-installed
Windows where the warranty would not be "honored" if Windows
Vista is removed.

*** Essentially, in summary, note that if you buy a new PC from a
major maker with Vista installed, there may NOT be drivers for
that system for previous versions of Windows.