will the harddrive be affected in a bad way, ie stop working since it has vista on it already.
2007-08-27 05:01:47 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
I am not too bothered. as long as when i install the xp it works. i dont mind having a dual install but will that not take up a lot of my hard drive. vista is ok but i prefer xp.
2007-08-27 05:08:03 · update #1
well thats not going to be the problem on a laptop .. the problem is going to be locating xp drivers ... make sure ur manufacturer has xp drivers available ...
2007-08-27 05:07:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Firstly, it won't stop your hard-drive working. You will have to create a second 'boot' partition.
I don't know whether this will definitely apply to you, but it might, and it's well worth knowing before-hand:
I bought a desktop not long ago with Vista pre-installed. I had loads of problems with software / hardware not working with it so I decided to wipe the drive and install XP from clean.
Turned out that my pc was built specifically with Vista in mind (Vista chipset), and therefore when XP was installed - it kept crashing.
The manufacturers website provided special XP chipset drivers - specific for their hardware configuration.
So if you decide to go ahead (and don't have a second internet connection) better to get the drivers first.
After saying that, adding a second bootable (or as many as you want) operating system is no big deal. You'll have a menu-system on startup that asks you which you want to boot to. You'll find comprehensive instructions on how to do it on many sites on the 'Net.
ATB
Darrylle
2007-08-27 05:50:12 · answer #2 · answered by Darrylle S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi
You will have severe problems setting up a dual-boot system - I am working from one now, but mine is fine. Using a dual boot system with Vista and XP is a common problem - I am a musician as well as an IT Director but I thought I should give you a small piece of advice as you could well have boot-up problems using this configuration. As most of the idiots on this answer page have not guided you in the right direction, you should install a piece of software called "VistaBootPro" version 3.3. Let me tell you why! Originally, Windows XP used boot.ini to sort out the boot initialisiation, however, it now uses BCD - short for Boot Configuration Data and the editing of such is not particularly easy. If you don't install this, Vista will hang upon booting probably 3 out of 4 times and really get on your wick.
I promise you honestly, if you don't install it, you will be knacked.
http://www.pro-networks.org/vistabootpro/track/click.php?id=2
This sorted all of my headaches as I originally thought Vista was a pile of pants!!!!
Hope this helps
Steve
2007-08-27 08:00:33 · answer #3 · answered by steve 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you'll have to do is wipe Vista from it. Then reinstall xp. The hard drive won't be affected. I'd recommend getting a pc engineer to do it for you though. There can be some snags when installing different software. Hope this helps!
2007-08-27 05:08:40 · answer #4 · answered by sheepo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any computer that is able to run Vista will be able to run XP without any problems. To install XP, you will have to re-partition and re-format the hard drive. This will clear everything currently on it off. Any data files (music, vids, pictures, etc) will be gone. So be sure to back up anything like that first. Also be sure to go into the Device Manager and get a list of all the hardware (video card, audio card, etc) so that you will be able to find XP drivers for any of them that do not load properly. Not all devices have drivers included on the XP disk.
2007-08-27 05:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To answer your question, no, the hard drive will not be affected in any negative way by reformatting it.
Since I have done this several times, I will go ahead and try to help you out.
First thing you would want to do is go to your laptop manufacturing website and download all the drivers (audio, video, pci, network) and save them onto a usb, you will need them.
Go ahead and insert the XP cd and boot from it, when it gives you the option to pick where you want to install the O.S. delete any and all partitions that may be appearing, so all you have left is your one, complete hard drive.
Then just follow the steps and install it onto the fresh, new Hard drive.
After this is done insert your USB or cd and install all the required drivers. Hit 'ctrl' and 'pause|break' then go to device manager to check to make sure you have all the drivers needed.
Hoped this helps. Good luck.
2007-08-27 05:16:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your hard drive is not a problem. But if you are going to install XP, I would suggest keeping the Vista install intact and having a dual boot system. This way, everytime you start your computer you can decide if you want to start Vista or XP.
Here's a link that may help...
http://lifehacker.com/software/top/windows-vista-beta-how-to-dual-boot-windows-xp-and-windows-vista-179906.php
2007-08-27 05:09:02 · answer #7 · answered by Shwaa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you want to have a dual boot system or to completely replace Vista with XP? You can do either. If you do a dual boot then you can boot either Vista or XP. If you do a complete install of XP it will overwrite the Vista.
2007-08-27 05:06:22 · answer #8 · answered by Richard F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
definite you are able to set up xp whether it would be ideal to burn the restoration discs for vista first only in case you alter your ideas. homestead windows xp will format your disc once you install it. do no longer ignore to set first boot as properly from cdrom interior the BIOS. in case you're utilising an xp you already own and that's retail boxed utility then you definately'll have not got any problems activating it yet once you're utilising an aftermarket disc you will have a hiccup or 2 activating it. relies upon how long via fact it replaced into final used and/or what share installs it has already completed. as quickly because it has completed 3 installs you will ought to telephone microsoft for activation code and in case you tell them this is in a various or new laptop they gained't allow you to activate it. you ought to insist it incredibly is an analogous laptop with a clean complicated rigidity/power supply/cpu (take your %.) yet no longer motherboard. as quickly as xp is put in, return first boot gadget to HDD and then obtain any needed drivers to your XP laptop from the manufacturers internet site.
2016-10-17 02:51:28 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Vista is a bear to get all the way off of the computer. Interesting that many folks want to do the same thing. Glad I do not have Vista.
2007-08-27 05:05:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋