My son recently purchased a lap top with Windows Vista installed. He then installed Vista on our home?

Question

computer which has now been jammed by Microsoft because the disc was only for use with the lap top. Would like to remove from home system and restore original Windows XP. Any idea's or do i have to contact Microsoft? Thanks

Answer 1

You need to reformat your hard drive and reinstall XP using the XP disc (Make sure you have the disc and a valid license number). Then back up all of your important files onto CDR, DVDR, etc. Here's my guide on how to reformat:

1) First make sure you back up all of your important files :o)

2) Next, put the windows XP cd into the drive. Restart your computer. If the boot sequence in your bios is set correctly you will be asked to press a key to boot from the XP disc...
(If it is not set, then hold down or dependent on your motherboard to get into the BIOS (or 'setup') and change the boot sequence so that CDROM is the primary/first boot device)

3) Once you have done all this, XP will start setting itself up and take you to the place where you can choose to delete your partition (i.e. format your drive - NTFS), if you go through the sequence and do that, then you can choose to press to set up XP on your drive. Make sure you have your license key to hand, as you will need to type that in. Apart from that it is pretty straight forward and XP will guide you through the setup.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Whoa, your son's hands are really itchy, however, this is a good sign because he can learn about troubleshooting this problem next time. My recommended remedy is not 100%, but I do hope it works.
My remedy is uninstall the Vista using the Vista disc only for the laptop, then reformat the hard disk using windows XP professional CD to see it works or not. If it doesn't works, use the Vista laptop disc to reformat. After reformatting, do not install Vista, choose Windows XP Professional instead, insert the XP Pro disc into the CD drive and wait for it to prompt for reinstallation. If needed to delete the files, just follow the instructions on the menu. Perhaps, you will need to remove some files using Vista disc.
I am just suggesting some means and ways to get your computer to work.

Answer 3

Windows Vista - like all Windows products, is riddled with bugs. Then Microshite ask you to report these bugs so that they can put right things they should have got right in the first place when putting the system on the market.

But looking at the answers to your question - whatever you do DO NOT REFORMAT YOUR DRIVE. You will lose everything you have on there.

I do not have, nor have any intention of getting, Vista.

But try doing a Restore. Start/Progs/Accs/Sys restore. I don't know whether or not this will work, but you cannot do any harm by trying this method.

Good luck - and keep little fingers away from your computer. He has his, you have yours. Tell him that..... !

Answer 4

You'll need your original XP disc for your home computer, stick it in the CD drive and re boot the computer, it should recognise the windows CD and begin the repair/installation of it, from here follow the instructions to format your hard drive and reinstall the original version.

You will lose all your files though!

Answer 5

Yep, you jumped the gun and bought Vista. Not really sure how a program such as vista can even be released when they don't make it compatible with everything out there, before hand. They delayed it how many times, and still it's not anywhere near ready or compatible with alot of things. Basically when a new operating system comes around, give it 4 to 6 months before buying it, or you'll always run into this problem.

Answer 6

There is only two options. Reinstall windows XP, probably lose all your files in to the bargain and give your son a slap for being so stupid.

Secondly you can contact microsoft to get an activation key for vista to unlock it. Then give your son a slap and ask him for the cost of the key as he caused the problem.

Answer 7

Just reinstall Windows XP with the original XP OEM number, there should be a sticker on your pc or with the disc.

Answer 8

I have windows vista and asked my dad to uninstall it, he said he could and restore windows xp but all the files will be lost. I think if you have the disc for windows xp you can do it.

Answer 9

Reformat and reinstall Windows if you have a recovery disc or original Windows CD

Answer 10

Reformat and reinstall Windows if you have a recovery disc or original Windows CD!