i have a new comp that has windows vista, how do i and how much would it be to get xp?

Answer 1

Cheapest to buy an OEM Copy from Amazon.com stores; Quality discs at a Low price, and all legal

Answer 2

You'll have to purchase a new version of XP, which will be around $100 - $200. But the biggest issue will be hardware support. Before you do anything, find out exactly what hardware is in your machine and download XP drivers for all of it - controllers, video card, sound card, everything. Burn those drivers to a CD and keep them handy. If you can't find XP drivers for everything, you should probably stay with Vista because you could get seriously messed up. You also need to back up any data on your drive, since you'll be wiping everything out. Be aware that you will lose any software that came installed on your computer and you probably won't be able to reinstall it under XP.

Once you have your data backed up and all of your drivers, insert the XP install CD and boot off of it. Go into the repair console and rewrite the master boot record and format the hard drive. This is the point of no return - you cannot recover anything that was on the drive after this. After this point your computer will be a boat anchor if you mess up and don't have correct drivers for critical hardware. You'll have to pay someone to install the OS for you.

Once the drive is formatted, reboot and install XP. After the install finishes, it's really important to connect to MS Update and download and apply all of the critical patches. Then you can install any older software you have.

My advice is to be patient and give Vista a chance. I didn't like it at first either, but I've had it for a while and now that I've adjusted I really like it. It has some really nice features. And keep in mind that a lot of the things people are saying about it are just plain not true. It will not delete illegal music/video files. It will not degrade audio/video quality (except in the case of copy-protected HD content without an HDMI cable, but there isn't much of that available). It's easy to set up Firefox as your default browser and Thunderbird as your default email application (that's the combo I use, I don't see why it wouldn't work for Opera or another browser and email combo). Microsoft doesn't spy on you (that's the NSA's job, unless they're outsourcing it). There are some compatibility issues with some older hardware and software, but that's to be expected with a new OS. Why not give it 30 days or so to adjust to it before throwing in the towel? You'll have to switch eventually anyway, so you might as well get it over with.

Answer 3

Why switch back to XP people ask?
Here's why...
1) Third party drivers/applications are not allowed unless “approved” by Microsoft. Some of your favorite software won't run on Vista because the drivers have not been "approved" by Microsoft. This also means that the digital camera you just bought may not be "allowed" to connect to the PC.
2) Most security software will run but is limited because of “PatchGuard” and denied access to the kernel.
3) DRM is integrated – IF you even get to the point of copying something, ALL media copied thru Vista is SERIOUSLY degraded. The mp3s that you rip, are not allowed to be full quality. Same with DVD's.
4) You give Microsoft the right, through programs like Windows Defender, to delete programs from your system that it decides are spyware.
5) Takes up too much of the already strained resources.
6) You consent to being spied upon by Microsoft, through the “Windows Genuine Advantage” system. This system tries to identify instances of copying that Microsoft thinks are illegitimate. Unfortunately, a recent study indicated that this system has already screwed up in over 500,000 cases.
7) More licensing restrictions – Depends on which of the 6 different versions you get.
8) A lot of your software will need to be reactivated – Hopefully you still have those license keys.
9) Firefox is NOT allowed as default browser…No matter what!
10) Backup software crashes because of too many nested folders. Even tho it worked with XP.
Personally, if XP ever goes out of support, I'm going Linux

Answer 4

XP is cheaper than Vista, regardless which version. Why do you want to switch? What is the reason? Hardware imcompability? Don't like the looks? even XP Pro is less than $200

Answer 5

I suggest to stay with what ever you have, reason you might face some problems with Hardware if you install the XP. Then too you like to try, go ahead, XP with Service Pack 2 costs around Rs.7, 000 to Rs. 8,000.
If you like to know the exact thing about your OS version, then go to Start, Run type WINVER & click ok here you see the details about your OS & its Version

Answer 6

If you do that, some of your hardware might not be XP compatible. I suggest taking it back and buying a nice Mac. You'll have a much easier life.