Can I use a Windows XP upgrade to "revert" Vista

**FiveLarge** · 03-03-2007, 03:22 AM

Looking at buying a new laptop. I really don't want Vista, and it's getting hard-er (certainly not impossible) to find systems without it on there. I have a Windows XP Home Edition upgrade (for upgrading to XP from 98/ME) CD...will it also work to "downgrade" from Vista? Or, do I need the "full blown" version of XP to accomplish this?

**hemas** · 03-03-2007, 03:38 AM

Doubt you'll be able to downgrade...

But shelling out for a 98SE / ME shouldn't be too much (nor should XP be by now).

**dr_scrotus** · 03-03-2007, 06:52 AM

Doubt you'll be able to downgrade...

The upgrade disc has everything you need to install XP, but you need to offer some proof of owning a prior version of windows, ex. a 98/ME disc. When you boot off a Windows XP disc, it does not matter what is on the hard drive--98, Me, Vista--it will format and install to your desire. Using it once windows has booted is another matter, and in that case, it may not function as intended in Vista. But you're not going to use it in that manner for what you want to do.

Turn on computer --> put in Windows XP disc --> Enter boot menu if your bios isn't set to boot from disc --> let XP installer load --> delete Vista partitions for good feeling --> create new partition(s) --> format, and install XP

Somewhere in there it is going to ask for you to insert a 98/ME/etc disc. I assume you have used the upgrade before, and I imagine you can find a disc. Otherwise, PM me and we can arrange something.

**hemas** · 03-03-2007, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by trickflip

Somewhere in there it is going to ask for you to insert a 98/ME/etc disc. I assume you have used the upgrade before, and I imagine you can find a disc. Otherwise, PM me and we can arrange something.

That's what I meant... I seem to remember to having to dig up my old 98SE CD from the pile when I installed XP from and "upgrade" CD.

**dingbatoolpud** · 03-03-2007, 07:32 AM

If you're looking at Dell, you can still get XP installed if you buy from their business side...other vendors might have similar setups.

On their personal side Dell seems to be pushing Vista pretty hard.

-d'pud

**P_McPoser** · 03-03-2007, 11:21 AM

vista isn't the end of the world anyways....

**hemas** · 03-03-2007, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by P_McPoser

vista isn't the end of the world anyways....

I just hate it, when you finally could have a superb and efficien comp... Bill comes along and "makes" an OS that eats all the power... Making the damn thing run slower than my crappy old 400 MHz laptop

.

Good thing I'm getting a Mac next

.

**grapedrink** · 03-03-2007, 12:38 PM

you do know that you don't have to use vista right? i don't know why anyone would switch from pcs to macs in this day and age. must be those clever commercials..

**summit** · 03-03-2007, 01:06 PM

fuck vista

**RShea** · 03-03-2007, 02:05 PM

There are the licensing issues and there are the "how to do it" issues. First if you get a computer with XP Pro OEM or Vista Business then the standard MS license allows you to do the downgrade to an earlier version OS. The Home editions do not offer this downgrade rights. They (MS) will not provide the media or the sticker- you are to have that from another computer. Second there are still some OEM's (and many local computer shops) that can, do, and will sell Win XP versions with the Vista upgrade coupon included. So you get the version you want and send for the Vista - there are deadlines for this upgrade so check the terms and dates.

Second issue is the fact that you want to go from Vista on a system (does not matter which version) and then wipe the drive and load XP Home upgrade edition - if I read the post correctly. The wipe and using the upgrade will have one issue- that is the upgrade will at some point want to have another Windows copy to verify the upgrade during the install. This typically was ME, 98 or 95 or NT or 2000 Pro in businesses, but do you have an earlier version CD to stick in when asked? If you do not, do you expect to insert your Vista CD and expect that to work? I have not tried it, but it may or may not. If it does not then you will need some other Windows CD to offer up or the upgrade install will stop and not finish the loading of the XP because you have not met the terms of the upgrade check.

If that does not work then you need the full OEM CD of the Windows XP version or a full retail box of the Windows XP you want to load. There could be activation issues if you are not following the MS license terms as XP requires activation on all but the oldest and outdated versions of XP or an open license version of XP.

**RShea** · 03-03-2007, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by hemas

I just hate it, when you finally could have a superb and efficien comp... Bill comes along and "makes" an OS that eats all the power... Making the damn thing run slower than my crappy old 400 MHz laptop

.

Good thing I'm getting a Mac next

.

Actually most of the testing on Vista shows that if the system is new enough to meet the basic OS requirements (800 mhz CPU, enough memory for the version of Vista) that Vista actually scales down and runs as good or better than XP. This is because of the fact that Vista does not load everything on start-up like XP does and will scale back advanced features automatically if the hardware does not support them or is not powerful enough.

**Arty50** · 03-03-2007, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by grapedrink

you do know that you don't have to use vista right? i don't know why anyone would switch from pcs to macs in this day and age. must be those clever commercials..

There are a ton of reasons. One of which is that it's probably easier to install XP on a new Mac than a new PC that comes with Vista.

**dr_scrotus** · 03-03-2007, 06:56 PM

One of which is that it's probably easier to install XP on a new Mac than a new PC that comes with Vista.

It's funny that would cite this as the one of the reasons to buy a mac when the only reason for anyone to buy one is the operating system. I don't like it, but I leave the issue to personal preference.

With the $100 dollars you would save on dell over a mac put towards a 7200rpm hard drive, the dell would be done a little quicker. Apple's got cases down, though.

**Arty50** · 03-03-2007, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by trickflip

It's funny that would cite this as the one of the reasons to buy a mac when the only reason for anyone to buy one is the operating system. I don't like it, but I leave the issue to personal preference.

With the $100 dollars you would save on dell over a mac put towards a 7200rpm hard drive, the dell would be done a little quicker. Apple's got cases down, though.

Who says the Dell is cheaper? Also, Apple is consistently rated #1 for service and customer support.

That said, I buy Macs for the OS. I'm just more of an application centric person and Apple does this better. To each their own though. Still, the new Intel Macs raise interesting possibilities. You can pretty much use any OS under the sun on them.

**dr_scrotus** · 03-03-2007, 07:43 PM

Who says the Dell is cheaper?

In responding to a post in a "should I buy a mac thread?" of some sort, I posted a configuration of an almost equivalently priced dell and mac--the dell came out with a few extra mhz, a better hard drive, and a bigger screen. They were laptops. I could take another look at some point if you desire.

That said, I buy Macs for the OS. I'm just more of an application centric person and Apple does this better. To each their own though. Still, the new Intel Macs raise interesting possibilities. You can pretty much use any OS under the sun on them.

Again, I'm not a fan of the operating system, but if it works for you, great. My only real issue with macs a this point is that I feel like they're image is based mostly on propaganda and fan boyish claims by their users. I'm not a big windows fan, but XP works well at this point, so long as you are a competent user. That being said, I'm currently running linux (suse 10.2). I'll have to install XP sooner of later--the lack/installation difficultly of good drivers is frustrating, although the OS is not at fault.

**mavrick** · 03-03-2007, 11:33 PM

I didnt read anything above because I could care less.. I do know that if you can find an XP recovery disc you can wipe your HD then load XP that way without having to deal with the extra CDs to prove u have a previous copy... all you need is the code from your XP upgrade CD.... Several buddies and I did this while in college

**Arty50** · 03-04-2007, 02:48 AM

Originally Posted by trickflip

In responding to a post in a "should I buy a mac thread?" of some sort, I posted a configuration of an almost equivalently priced dell and mac--the dell came out with a few extra mhz, a better hard drive, and a bigger screen. They were laptops. I could take another look at some point if you desire.

Again, I'm not a fan of the operating system, but if it works for you, great. My only real issue with macs a this point is that I feel like they're image is based mostly on propaganda and fan boyish claims by their users. I'm not a big windows fan, but XP works well at this point, so long as you are a competent user. That being said, I'm currently running linux (suse 10.2). I'll have to install XP sooner of later--the lack/installation difficultly of good drivers is frustrating, although the OS is not at fault.

This isn't the place for this, but lets just say I'll agree to disagree. I've wasted too much of my life debunking the misconceptions people have about Macs. It's dumb. I'll just keep using my computer and you'll keep using yours.

**hemas** · 03-04-2007, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by Arty50

This isn't the place for this, but lets just say I'll agree to disagree. I've wasted too much of my life debunking the misconceptions people have about Macs. It's dumb. I'll just keep using my computer and you'll keep using yours.

Bingo, I still have a Windooza, and will keep that. I'll just add a Mac to the quiver (and install Linux on my old laptop, compliting the quiver

).

Mac has it's "problems" as does Windooza and even Linux

.

**fonixmunkee** · 03-05-2007, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by spthomson

Looking at buying a new laptop. I really don't want Vista, and it's getting hard-er (certainly not impossible) to find systems without it on there. I have a Windows XP Home Edition upgrade (for upgrading to XP from 98/ME) CD...will it also work to "downgrade" from Vista? Or, do I need the "full blown" version of XP to accomplish this?

If you have a copy of XP, just try booting it. It may detect a "previous version of Windows" that you can "Repair", or opt to do a full re-install during the Mini-setup. I'm not really sure, but this is the way XP normally works. As someone has mentioned before, the XP upgrade disc just looks for a pre-existing install of Windows, whatever the version may be. I think this shouldn't be a problem. XP's setup isn't Vista-aware, per se, so it's not going to say "Tough Noogies, Your OS Is Too New!" during setup.

On the flip side, if your new system is coming with Vista, I'd stick with it over XP Home Edition. Home Edition is a terrible, terrible OS. Hopefully your Vista install on your new system is Vista Home Premium or the like. If it's the flashiness of Vista you don't like (like me), you can shut down the Aerro desktop, pretty icons, etc., and make it look like a pussy-whipped version of XP. Good luck!

**Free Range Lobster** · 03-05-2007, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by spthomson

Or, do I need the "full blown" version of XP to accomplish this?

Yes, you do.
You can also call and oh I dunno, ask for XP instead of Vista?

Originally Posted by Arty50

Who says the Dell is cheaper? Also, Apple is consistently rated #1 for service and customer support.

According to who? Apple?
Right.

**smolakian** · 03-05-2007, 11:03 AM

Best advice you will get in this thread:
Ubuntu Linux

**dr_scrotus** · 03-05-2007, 11:12 AM

Yes, you do.

Answered above, and no, you don't...

...assuming you have access to a prior version of windows around, which is not too much to assume.

Regardless, PM me and I'll hook you up with something.

Best advice you will get in this thread:
Ubuntu Linux

It depends on the type of user you are. I'm using openSUSE right now, and I think it would be great for the average user. If you're looking for good graphics/audio/etc drivers, not so much, at least in my experience.

**RShea** · 03-05-2007, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by smolakian

Best advice you will get in this thread:
Ubuntu Linux

There could be issues with higher end games and the like if you run any Linux and try and run Windows software under it in and emulator. Much of the standard simple stuff works but this is not a solution for those not very techincally savy due to possible issues with hardware drivers and the like in my opinion.

**dr_scrotus** · 03-05-2007, 12:45 PM

but this is not a solution for those not very techincally savy due to possible issues with hardware drivers and the like in my opinion.

I believe that for linux distros with more streamlined installations, like openSUSE, the opposite is true. Out of the box, openSUSE looks and functions much better than XP, and so long as you're not a user who demands driver performance/knows what a driver is, linux is great. For the average word processing/email checking/forum reader, there's almost nothing to screw up without trying, no stupid unintended start-up processes, and a great looking, easy/highly modular interface. Milking XP takes a lot more work and much more careful maintenence.

**smolakian** · 03-05-2007, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by trickflip

I believe that for linux distro's with more streamlined installations, like openSUSE, the opposite is true. Out of the box, openSUSE looks and functions much better than XP, and so long as you're not a user who demands driver performance/knows what a driver is, linux is great. For the average word processing/email checking/forum reader, there's almost nothing to screw up without trying, no stupid unintended start-up processes, and a great looking, easy/highly modular interface. Milking XP takes a lot more work and much more careful maintenence.

Tru.

If this is a desktop work/buisness/internet computer Linux is probably your best bet. Most newer distros have a VERY easy install and come with tons of free/open source software and apps right out of the box. You'll never crash and you'll spend way less money. If you are worried about games you might not be satisfied. But, with linux you probably won't even need to install virus protection and you'll forget that spyware even existed.

It is also really easy to dual boot. So, you can have a copy of windows to boot into if you need a specific application that wont run under Linux.