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Can XP be installed over Vista?
Cantido
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My mom is looking for a new job working at home part time an attending real estate school the rest of the time. She recently got fired for no reason and things are pretty bad and I'm trying to help her out as much as I can.
She plans to purchase a cheap Centrino laptop that has Vista on it, but the necessary job software works on XP, not Vista.
Though my college, I can buy a Windows XP disc (probably the only place left that sells it.) The laptop she wants (of course) has Vista on it. Is it possible to install Windows XP over a Vista laptop.
Also, if she wants to use a monitor when she has the laptop at home, is it simple to connect the laptop to a monitor?
She plans to purchase a cheap Centrino laptop that has Vista on it, but the necessary job software works on XP, not Vista.
Though my college, I can buy a Windows XP disc (probably the only place left that sells it.) The laptop she wants (of course) has Vista on it. Is it possible to install Windows XP over a Vista laptop.
Also, if she wants to use a monitor when she has the laptop at home, is it simple to connect the laptop to a monitor?
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Or dual booting, but I think you still have to format.
And what is the step by step process of formatting the laptop out of the box? Does it just consist of turning on the computer with the XP disc on it?
(No dual booting, she doesn't need Vista)
I bought XP from Newegg for about $80 OEM, which just means no pretty packaging and no official tech support beyond the help files and such (as if either has ever been useful). Of course there was also a shipping fee and travel time, so if you can get it cheaper or in the ballpark from school then do that.
That's pretty incredible. Even better than the offer she is getting. How do you search by OS on Newegg?
On a fun note, students can download a Vista installer for free here. I'm scared to do it though.
What he is saying is that he bought Windows XP, not a laptop.
t Barcardi: Technically its one XP key per computer, although I think there was something about being able to install a single key to a desktop and a laptop
You should give Vista a shot, though. I've been loving it since Beta 2 was released a year ago or something.
Make sure you've got a recovery disk handy, though. Certain functions might not transfer over -- like power or battery management drivers -- I don't think a standard Windows install disk comes with those.
If it's a retail version of XP, you shouldn't have any trouble, other than it possibly being necessary to phone MS to get it reactivated. If it's an OEM version that came pre-installed, you generally can't transfer the license to a new machine.
It should still be possible to buy a new copy of XP, though, and if you can't, I believe it's possible to activate a copy of XP (which you can obtain from anywhere, even another machine, as far as I understand) using an (unactivated!) Vista activation code, but you will need to call Microsoft at the activation stage and tell them you're downgrading.
Vista has a feature called "compatibility mode." You right click on the non-Vista-compatible program, choose that option and then select XP. Vista will usually run it as if it was XP with no problems.
I would avoid installing XP on the machine if I could. I've done downgrades on new computers, mostly for real estate agents using non-Vista compatible MLS software. And they are a major PITA. First, you have to reformat the hard drive, which kills any software and drivers needed to run any of the bells and whistles of the system and a good portion of the important stuff like the DVD burner. Then you have to hope and pray that you can find all the missing drivers and that they'll work with XP.
If you can install XP into a dual boot environment, you may not run into as many problems. But you may also have the issue of XP drivers totally FUBARing things like Internet connectivity.
At any rate, I'm going to reiterate: Recovery Discs Are Your Friends. Make a set before you get reformat happy.
If your mom absolutely has to have XP, my advice is to find a laptop that already has XP on it. You can sometimes special order one from the manufacturer. Failing that, try your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or flea market.
As for hooking up a monitor, just make sure the laptop has a VGA connector (the blue trapezoid thing you see on a desktop) on it and you're good to go.
http://www.driverpacks.net/
These contain virtually every XP device driver in existence. I just download and decompress them onto DVD, and use the new hardware wizard (pointed at the DVD, obviously) to install the best driver.
Beats hunting around the dodgy websites of obscure Taiwanese manufacturers.
I made my recovery disks last night. Hopefully I won't need them.
I am a geeksquad agent and I see this question pop up several times a week, here is the official response:
1) vista will NOT recognize XP. You cannot just put the disk in. Vista goes so far as to remove the ability to install the XP os from the computer entirely, so you would have to wipe the drive.
2) If you manage to wipe the drive, and have a full install of XP sitting right there, you can install that. However, when you get into XP, you will not have any drivers for anything. If the hardware the computer is using is vista only, you will not find XP driver sets. If the hardware is old enough, it will have xp drivers somewhere, but don't expect any recovery disks from this method. That is to say: If you finally sling all that on the computer, and it works, don't expect to fix it easily if it gets broken/corrupt.
3) Manufacturers will not support the machine AT ALL. We have sent in units to compaq/hp for service by the request of customers who installed XP and they sent it back with a note saying that XP is not supported. (this was one of many instances).
4) You CAN dual boot XP/Vista, but it must be different partitians, XP must be installed first, and all the hardware in the system must be XP and Vista compliant (appropriate drivers, etc).
This is hard, very hard. We have done it successfully several times, but proprietary drivers from certain companies (toshiba, sony) prevent XP from working at all. Namely: the built in cameras on notebooks, card readers, single-touch dvd playing features, etc. Anything that might be remotely specific to a brand usually doesn't downgrade very easily, if at all. Companies do not make drivers for shits and giggles.
Is there such a thing as Vista-only hardware? Genuine question. I wouldn't have thought that would be a wise commercial decision to make for any commodity hardware manufacturer.
I mean, it took ages for hardware to start appearing that had only XP drivers, and not Win95/98/Me.
I wouldn't be suprised if Microsoft is trying to avoid a situation where everyone just keeps on using XP forever, and is pushing developers to make things exclusive.
This is described here.
Also, by my understanding, non-upgrade retail XP disks should allow you to boot to install, formatting in the process.
I have a few friends that work in the Customer Service section of Best Buy, and there have been a number of people who have returned computers because they've tried to install XP over on top of Vista.
Most manufacturers have pre-installed drivers that only work with Vista. Especially a notebook, I would be extra careful not to screw it up.
If it works: Then great!
Yeah, just the OS. an $80 laptop either fell off the back of a truck or is an Atari 2600 with an etch-a-sketch glued to it.
If you're still interested though (which I imagine you aren't considering you wanted the whole computer
EDIT: All missing driver issues have been resolved. I have one final problem -- a holdover from the Vista OS -- there does not seem to be any way to adjust the volume on my audio (windows audio control won't do it, no external volume control), nor does it recognise the headphone jack.