How do I install Windows XP on my laptop which uses Windows Vista (Basic)?

Question

I have a new laptop which came with Vista Basic, but I really don't like it, so I how do install Windows XP onto it from a cd without damaging the compueter or losing any files???

Help!

Answer 1

If you have a copy of Windows XP you have two choices:

*** The simple way: ***

Assuming that you *really* don't want to backup your files and fresh-install Windows XP, you can run Windows XP in a virtual console. That is, run Windows XP in a window within Windows Vista. You can download this *free* software on Microsoft's website:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx

Once you install Microsoft Virtual PC 2007, you will open it and choose to add an operating system. From there, insert your Windows XP CD and select to install Windows XP.

*** OR, the more complicated way: ***

1) Back up your files (which usually for most people is just backing-up everything in My Documents.)
* You can burn a CD or CDs (or even DVD(s)) with the contents you wish to save, provided you have a CD (or DVD) burner.
* If your computer is connected to a network, you can access another of your computer's hard drives (via Start > My Network Places), and transfer the files there.

2) Next, insert the Windows XP CD, and restart the computer. You'll see this text: "Press any key to boot from CD," at which point you hit any key, which takes you to the Windows XP installation process. From there, follow the installation instructions (which will include formatting your hard drive (aka erasing all the data).)

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Assuming you do not have a Windows XP CD, you cannot do either of the above. You will need to go buy Windows XP (generally $100-170). I have not heard of any Microsoft plan for "downgrading" to Windows XP, sorry.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

You must format hard drive in order to load XP, and that will cause a loss of all data that is not backed up.

Also, before you format the drive, make sure that you have all of the motherboard, sound, and video drivers and software that this laptop requires.

After you have completed all of the above you should be able to do a simple XP installation by inserting your XP disk into the CD/DVD drive and restarting your system. The computer should boot from the CD and start the XP installation.

After XP has loaded the installation files you will need to follow the instructions on removing and creating the primary partition, and then you will be required to format that partition. After the partition has been formatted you can then load XP. Next, load all drivers. That should do it, your system should now be ready to use.

One small question. Why not stick with Vista. I have been using it since it came out, and it works just fine. Sure, it looks a little different, but after all, it's just an operating system, a platform on which your applications run, It is faster and way more stable then XP and much more secure. And we are all going to be running it sooner or later because Microsoft will drop support for XP some day. So why not get a head start of the rest of the folks and learn Vista now.

Answer 3

First, installing XP will not damage the computer itself. As to losing files that is a different matter. If practical move the files you choose to save to a removable media. Since installing XP would be a downgrade and VISTA will not think that is a good thing to do, a format is in order. When the format is complete. Set the boot device in the BIOS to the CD drive you want to boot from. Reboot the system and do a new install from the CD. Then put the files that you saved from before back on the system once XP is up and running.

Answer 4

Make copies of all your files onto CD or other memory device like a flash memory stick. Uninstall Vista and then install XP. My pc came with CDs with all the drivers needed for recovery so if you have the same you need to load these too. If not you will not make this work and will need to approach the supplier of your laptop tp get the necessary software so make sure you have the drivers before you start.

Answer 5

Microsoft Windows Products will not let you "downgrade" your Windows version, only upgrade. Therefor, since Windows XP would be downgrading, it is disabled in windows Vista. The only solution I see if you do not want to lose your files, is to back the files up, and do a clean format and install with Windows XP :-).

hope this helped you !

If you have any more questions about it I would love to help, just send an email. :-).

Answer 6

Contact the Dealer of your laptop to see if you can exchange your version of Vista(Basic) for Windows XP. There are some companies like Dell and HP that have stopped using Vista as the default Operating System for a Laptop

Answer 7

If you had vista plus you have the right to downgrade, this iss due to the fact that a lot of business in house programs only operate on XP. Unfortunately you have the home version and you dont have that option.

Answer 8

Without losing any files? Sorry that's impossible. I can tell you've never installed an operating system before. You're going to have to find all the XP drivers for your hardware (If they exist) to get your computer to work correctly. If they don't exist, you won't be able to run XP on it.

Answer 9

Hi. Installing a new OS will require reformatting the hard drive, so you need to back up everything. A better solution, in my opinion is to install a new hard drive, install Win XP, then connect your old drive to copy the files back.

Answer 10

You will have a barrel of laughs trying to do that. I am afraid that they have messed up Vista so much that I have read on The Register that some attempts to uninstall have lead to hard drive failure because they have tried to make it secure, in some hard drives this means so secure that the administrator cannot uninstall.