Windows Vista to XP Downgrading/Reformat? Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,
I bought a new laptop with Windows Vista preinstalled but I don't want Vista at all. There is no data on the laptop as it is brand new.  I would like Windows XP but couldn't find a new laptop with XP on it... so I got a Windows XP Home Edition disc and bring it to PC world so they can downgrade it for me. But I have been told it can't be done. Are they lying? What can I do?

Amareswari · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I have installed XP on my VIsta system recently.

1) First of all .. take backup of your data and drivers(XP driver download from internet and keep them ready in USB)

2) Put XP bootable CD in your CD drive,and start the system.Press DEL for BIOS Setup.

Make priority to boot from CD drive first.
DISABLE the HARD DRIVE(important for downgrading...)
SAVE and EXIT

3)Make partitions , now OS will get booted from your XP bootable CD.

4)Install all the drivers.

Your system is ready to use with XP ONLY
(Remember Network driver is also disabled,so keep all drivers ready before reformatting).I did it with my HP Laptop

Amareswari

nerds · Answer

I don't think that they're lying on that one...

Downgrading would mean taking away newer files or changing them to older ones and Windows will not let you do that.

From the way I see it, I think that you could either, if you have another computer with XP on it, you could, with a computer cable, connect the two together and erase the laptop's hard drive completely, wipe it, and just transfer all of the files from that computer to your laptop, or you could insert the XP XP in your laptop and manually copy all of the files on the CD and then paste them in the main system folder, which would take some hours for the transfer to be complete, and then after that delete the Vista files from the laptop, then restart it, and it should then be the XP operating system.

I'm not 100% sure on both of these things, but I have tried them both and they both worked for me, but the case was a little different, I was upgrading.

If you need more help or info, please e-mail me at email removed and I'll try to help you the most that I can!

Steven75 · Answer

Well you can always downgrade from windows Vista to XP but everything may not work fully without the correct drivers from what I have seen its hard to find xp drivers for a pc that comes with Vista I know Sony doesn't support other OS driver downloads on their new vista laptops I know HP you can download XP version drivers for a laptop or pc with vista pre in stalled im not sure about other brands.

topstop · Answer

i have j ust  done the same thing on my hp dv6500,i have to operatingsystem s now  I got all  the  drivers bar the  n etworkdriver, so the only thing I cant do is  connect to the  
net, ( so I use v ista) othe r than that xp wor ks gr eat its  re ally fast, if y ou find o ne or have a idea please let me    no

dhb · Answer

I have just aquired a brand new HP Pavilion dv2000. I want to run it with XP(I do not like Vista). Any addresses to share with me for drivers and any advice/guidance would be sincerely appreciated. - Email Id removed for security

Windows Xp · Answer

dv2000 drivers for Xp 

 
            http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&cc=au&dlc=en&product=1817074&lang=en

eL · Answer

Okay, well I just got like a 06 ~ 07 model of Toshiba, and its a 17" laptop, i'm not interly sure about the stats 
but its a intel centrino duo. 
and I just got a Black Screen Of Death, and its been like that for almost 3 days. 
and i'm wondering if I can remove vista , and replace with Office XP pro Plus . 
Any help or answers will be greatly appreciated . 
Sorry for my grammar. Please 
Message me at Email Id removed for security
please and thank you (:

Fahmi · Answer

I just got a HP Pavilion media center m8425f desktop pc. It has intel core 2 quad processor q6700. It comes pre loaded with Windows Vista. But I have heard many non-original software do not work in Vista due to its increased security features. I really like XP and would like to continue using XP. From a desktop perspective, is it easy to switch it to XP operating system. I know I would need some drivers and if anyone can help me find that I would greatly appreciate it. My email addy is f Email ID removed for security. Thanks.

Fahmi · Answer

I just got a HP Pavilion media center m8425f desktop pc. It has intel core 2 quad processor q6700. It comes pre loaded with Windows Vista. But I have heard many non-original software do not work in Vista due to its increased security features. I really like XP and would like to continue using XP. From a desktop perspective, is it easy to switch it to XP operating system. I know I would need some drivers and if anyone can help me find that I would greatly appreciate it. My email addy is Email Id removed for security  Thanks.

kaka hama · Answer

please help me I need drivers for my laptop hp dv6460ee

yogui7 · Answer

I dont understand ! If you want to switch from vista to xp ! this is more than possible! so whats the issue !

eric_deep · Answer

Hi bob666 of course its possible to downgrade from vista to xp but you just got to reformat and make sure you got all the drivers needed for your laptop or else don't touch it!

manderkev · Answer

I am unable to reformat my laptop by means of an XP CD that I can and have already used in the computer's drive. Why is this so difficult? 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

manderkev

tabbu · Answer

plz help me in formating vista in my hp laptop pavalion dv2000 model 2701tx.i like to put window xp but biose is not going to flash.plz pzl help me to do so I like to xp in my laptop.for this I am very much thankful to u coz I am now fedup with vista.

Mahogany · Answer

I am went everyone on Vista,  I do not like it at all.  I have lost info on computer 2x and at one time I downloaded the neccessary downloads and I could not get on line after that.  I am not a computer whiz so plz could some one give me step by step directions on how  to downgrade to xp

Vardan · Answer

where to get drivers for hp pavilion dv 2519tu notebook pc for window xp????

Riyaz · Answer

i have hp notebook dv6500 preinstalled vista but I want to installed xp  where to get drivers for lancard

hp pavilion · Answer

Windows Vista to XP Downgrading/Reformat? on hp pavilion what do I do?

binho · Answer

Hi I just want the drivers for my new HP Pavilion tx 1332la which I did downgrade from Vista to XP... Thanks Peace and Love to ALL...

KRISS · Answer

i need to xpdriver for laptop hp-dv 2701 tx pls help me

jonathan · Answer

that is not true if I got a windows 2000 I could put it to xp so you can downgrade it get an external hardrive and move all your personal stuff to it and then instert the disc and install all the data on the disc I am doing it myself for 3 years now so it can be done! hope it all goes well!

ET · Answer

I am not very tecky but could you not swap out the hard drive on a new laptop w  vista OS w a new clean HD and then move XP OS & all files from your PC to the new clean HD on the laptop and wait till MS gets the message and then reinstall later, Vista HD when patches take care of some of these problems? 

Also last edition of either PC magagzine or laptop magazine had an article specifically written on how to remove vista and install XP FYI.

_neo__ · Answer

LOOK THIS IS SIMPLE .YOU CAN DO THIS 2 WAYS I MYSELFE HAVE DONE THIS ON ALL MY NEW PC'S .FIRST OFF IF YOU HAVE DUAL DRIVES GO TO DOS MODE AND INSTALL XP ON ONE PARTISION AND LEAVE VISTA ON THE OTHER ...OR GET A EXTERNAL DRIVE DOWNLOAD THE USB AND NETWORK DRIVERS ONLY ON TO THE EXTERNAL THEN NUKE IT LOAD XP TO AO9 AND THEN PLUG IN THE EXTERNAL AND LOAD YOUR NETWORK DRIVERS ,THEN GO TO HP'S SITE AND DOWNLOAD EVERYTHING ELSE ALL YOU NEED IS YOUR SERVICE TAG OR MODEL NUMBER GOOD LUCK.............

clueless · Answer

My wife's laptop is an HP Pavilion dv9000 and came with windows vista.  I tried rebooting with the windows xp disc and the windows setup said that it couldn't find any of the drives.  As if they don't exist to windows setup.  Can anyone explain as to twhy this is? Steps in how to resolve this issue would be much appreciated.

destinydriver · Answer

hi friends,
      
          I am having a HP Pavilion dv6500 series laptop (dv6516tx) which cam pre-installed with windows vista home premium I somehow managed to install windows XP on it by following the procedure of making an XP bootable disc with NLITE software. I have installed xp in a seperate partition by shrinking the C drive. now XP had loaded fine but vista is not working anymore but this is not what I wanted. unfortunately I lost the recovery discs that I have made for the laptop but the recovery partition which was installed on the laptop by HP is still there. someone please help me about how to load vista again on my latop. I have tried using the F11 option to do system recovery but it is not working and the laptop loads with windows xp after the boot screens.

hossam samir · Answer

i have HP Pailion dv6000 I can not set windows xp to format hard disk  and tell me he did not found hard driver
very thanks 
Hossam Samir

Nicole · Answer

I went through the same issues the newer systems having Vista doesnt work some xp programs. After walking before crawling, I had to go backwards but I got it all except my audio. You have to understand you are still originally platforms for vista so just looking for xp drivers wont solve ur problem u have to re install vista drivers in order to see xp drivers. it works but the fastest easiest way is just write down your list of drivers and just reformate with xp, reinstall your driver then youre off and running

Shahid · Answer

Hi,

I got a HP dv6500 laptop with preinstalled vista. But I want to use window xp in my laptop. I tried with bootable XP cd but it can't recognise XP cd. Do u please advice me how I can reformat my vista system & install windows xp, srvice pack2.


W/thanks & regards
Shahid

crazy_phoebe · Answer

hey I tried out the link , but it aint working !! have ya got another one ?

stauggyboy · Answer

It isn't impossible to downgrade, I've seen it done.  The only problem's that occur are the compatibility issues between XP and your "Built for Vista" hardware... mostly just the BIOS.  Like I said, it can be done.  You could always bring it into a tech support center, like the one I work at.  Staples Easy Tech offers operating system installations.  The first downgrade we did took a couple weeks, but it's just a matter of finding all of the drivers.  With a tech support service, you don't have to hassle with the troubles of finding them on your own, and the support center is responsible for making it 100% compatible with your computer.

iowa031 · Answer

Only  thing you need is boot able xp disc but before you do that download and put on another cd all drivers you`ll need for xp and don`t forget to change BIOS

Rick · Answer

The problem with my friend's laptop HP DV2700 was not resolved as HPLaptop NOT ACPI compliant and it is designed for VISTA only. So he feels regret of choosing HP Laptop and totally dislike HP product anymore. Why HP have designed this kind of Laptop to an experimental operating system VISTA? We the consumer are sacrificed.

mark · Answer

where can I get drivers for xp for my acer aspire 5710, to downgrade from vista to xp pro.
any help will be appreciated. thanks very much

bhaskar · Answer

yaar!
this is very easy process vista to xp I have done this before 2 days after facig some problem...but finally I got XP installled my laptop now it is working properly.....
first I did partion of my c drive with name F drive
after this I put the cd for xp into cd / dvd drive
and follow the instruction......finally u got yr laptop with 2 OS vista or Xp...

but before doing all of those these thing u have to unable to SATA native driver by entering BIOS.

if anybody face any problem then he can ask me through mail

eeeeep · Answer

hokay, so I have reformatted my Hewlett Packard Compaq Presario SR5110NX, which was running vista, put on XP and am now looking for drivers. the internet has only come up with vista only ones which is not really surprising. what I am wondering is if there are any drivers that are xp compatible for my system. my laptop is ever so slowly dieing, and I need to switch soon. any help would be greatly appreciated.

vicky · Answer

ye its not easy to load xp in dv2701tu because some bios dosent have sata option to desable it. But you can install Xp easly by editing your xp setup with the help of 'n-lite'. Just edit xp setup and add driver for sata native so that your setup can detect harddisk on your laptop. But real problem is that, Hp  site does not contains driver for Xp so you will not be able to install sound driver on this laptop.

govind · Answer

hi

I bought a new laptop hp dv6500 with Windows Vista preinstalled but I don't want Vista at all. There is no data on the laptop as it is brand new. I want to install xp on it ,but it is  giving error as harddisk not found after booting from win xp CD.it is working fine through preinstalled windows vista.please help me how to downgrade from win vista to win xp.



Thanks & Regards ,

Govind.

Mr.Than · Answer

Dear,

         All,

I also facing that kinds of problem to drowngrade window vista to window xp. I have tried by booting XP CD but I can't find third device to boot windown XP. Thus, May I known pls if you have futher informations to use the best way step by step. I would wish to get the way to easy install window XP.



           I am very thankful,


                               Mr Than

nelly · Answer

basic info about my system:

model name                  satellite A205
OS version                     microsoft windows vista home premium 6.0.6000
CPU                              intel pentium dual T2300 @1.60 GHz
physical memory              1024MB RAM


need help VISTA is killing me

gudda · Answer

Hi bob666

actually I have also the same problem u can install xp on it but u have to buy a usb fdd drive ,

after that search sata driver on the net..copy that file into the fdd drive..

attach it into the usb port ...

start the lapy press f10 key for bios setup in which boot option will be there select cd rom first to provide the first priority.than insert ur xp cd in ur cd drive ...

than setup will execute 

->one option will come at the starting of setup that is third party installation press f6 key for that ...that will help u to install sata driver during the installation..

->if any error comes like green screen with some msg..read it ..it may be abt the acpi ..

------------

if error will come proceed above steps but this time after pressing f6 key immidiately press f7 key for disabling the acpi...
it willl work.....

John · Answer

I was using Vista for a few months as I had bought a laptop with vista pre-installed. Now I have installed XP over it as I think Vista is a terrible OS. I have managed most of the setups and drivers for XP, but can anyone tell me how can I import the Mails from Microsoft Maiil ( Vista) to Outlook Express ( XP).
I hope there is a way

nash · Answer

i need to install win xp in my new laptop dv 2701tx.can n  e one plz help me tp get drivers?

chase · Answer

ok I got no prob finding drivers.  my problem is that when I try to install xp it says I have no harddrive. I do though. went to disable sata but wouldnt let me. didnt even show up

Syril · Answer

I installed XP in my new Acer travelmate and everything works fine. But I lost Vista, I actually installed XP on another partion. But I cannot get an OS selectable menu. It directly loads XP.

muhamedkhan · Answer

Well, as the discussion continues, I have some pointers.

- Its not a laymans job to downgrade or install windows xp on a machine which is running vista
- You need to plan before you can do much
- I personally like vista, but I hate too. Microsoft has done a lot of damage to the users. Mostly I am unable use/install the software I like.
- The first thing you need to do is to look for your hardware drivers. For laptop users, search the vendor sites. Mostly of them have driver sets for windows XP. Be careful.
- I have not tried it yet. Same problem, I have bought a vista home toshiba machine last year. But now I am planning to get rid of  vista.
- I am taking following steps:
  1. Buy windows xp retail
  2. Buy a new hard drive
  3. Download drivers from toshiba (vendor) site
  4. Replace the old harddrive with the new one
  5. install window xp

I think this should work. I will be doing this by next week. Will all you posted.

Cheers

stefanos · Answer

hello...i need the xp drivers for hp pavilion dv6500!!!!!!anyone??

rahul · Answer

hi 
    I have brougth new labtop with windows vista but I want windows xp install

bipon · Answer

i m buy a laptpo hp pavilion dv2000 from italy and all system language ware italyan, I want change languagr on english
please help me ( I have no any driver cd)

bipon

abou · Answer

Dear experts,

I would like to get rid of my VISTA and replace it by XP, but I also have
Linux (SUSE 10.3) on my machine. How can it be accomplished?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Abouzar

charlie · Answer

I think you should ive vista a go, its better.
I hated it at first, have a fiddle, maybe buy vista for dumbies or something! its silly to downgrade, after a while ebeyone will be on vista, probably in a year or so, adn then your technology will be too old to use newer programmes.

venu · Answer

i resently downgraded from vista to xp, after which some of the drivers are not working at all (bluetooth, lan, webcam, etc) kindly some one help me to restore or get the drivers with out upgrading to vista back.


venu

Chesys · Answer

I can comfortably boot  using a floppy and install xp and even run  but  the drivers starting with display r a major hitch,

secondly,i cant dual boot .i have tried vista Pro but any tyme in do,Nt Loader dissappears and I am forced to reinstall.

ANY IDEAS ON THE DUAL BOOT????
Since its the only way to enjoy the  Media center and still retain your old programs with ease and convenience

Ama Vipi?

Super Geek · Answer

I have a Hp dv 2000 and I downgraded to xp and it is defiantly worth it, I had vista for close to a year and didn't realize how bad it was until I switched to xp. I have gotten everything to work except for the wired internet and several devices in the device manager. 
My missing devices are
Coprocessor 
Other PCI bridge device
SM bis controller 
if anyone has fixed either of my problems can you please share the wealth.

Suky · Answer

I have a HP pavillion DV 2110tx and have exactly the same issue as Supergeek above. I have managed to format and install XP . For those seeking clarification on how to do this. 
Download sp32478.exe from HP website extract and copy files to floppy not utility just the folder contents 
Insert XP disc you will need an usb floppy drive plugged in as well with floppy 
Goto system bios press f10 as soon as laptop is switched on 
Change the enable native sata support to disable save and exit 
Reboot machine press f3 choose option 2 cd rom boot 
As soon as xp setup starts keep a lookout at bottom of screen 
Press f6 when prompted it will look as if nothing is happened dont worry it will stop further down the line 
When prompted press S to specify the additional sata driver as long as the usb floppy is inserted and the files you extracted on the root of the floppy drive a list of available options will be given choose one of the mobile options I believe there are only two. For my 2110tx I chose the second one yours may differ depending on model. Once done press enter and it will carry on with setup all being well the drive will be recognised if not you may have to try the other mobile device driver or download relevant one from HP I believe there are two such discs with sata that can be created for sata drivers etc. Check out hp WEBSITE. 

The issue I am having is XP is installed but I cannot get certain drivers to work and in device manager the following devices are not recognised even with the HP drivers for XP can anyone help please 
Coprocessor 
Other PCI bridge device 
SM bis controller, sound card email sukhraj@duhra.freeserve.co.uk  (wrong email in last post sorry)
   Reply to Suky

archer · Answer

hello friend, can you help me I have a big problem with my laptop compaq presario c700 with os windows vista and I have downgrading to windows xp after I downgrade to xp all the drivers that I download from hp and other site didnt work I dont know why. thank you very much

kendulo · Answer

i have formate my laptop and have lost some drivers like wireless,soundcard,nvidia, all most about seven softwear have lost from the laptop so I will plz need ur help if I can give me an istallation cd for the Hp Pavilion dv2000

bhaskar · Answer

first of all u have to unable the SATA drive going thorugh BIOS
u can enter in the bios after pressin F10 key at the time of wheh u just turn on ur laptop.
after disable yr sata driver u can easily install xp after inserting yr xp cd in dc/dvd- drive.
........follow the instruction

if u want to use bot vista and xp computer. then u can I ask me through mail


ok  bye.......have a nice days with Xp

weirdo · Answer

Knowing all that trouble, I would just get a new harddrive and install XP on it. Ofcourse I would gather the drivers for the computer b4 hand.

archer · Answer

I bought a new laptop with Windows Vista installed but I don't want Vista at all, so I decided to downgrade to windows xp, and I read in the forum about downgrading vista to xp, everything dones I disable tha native sata in bios then I installed windows xp after I installed windows xp the driver that I get in the compaq presario c700 in hp site didnt work and I download again a new driver for this laptop but didnt work again, pls help how to get the driver, thanks friend for the support

bhaskar · Answer

ok
thats a better news that u have install xp 
don't worry u have to download all driver for xp "not for vista" from any website for yr laptop model "compaq presario c700" 
and if u r trobling some problem for getting that software if u have any friend who is using laptop of  any model for  "compaq presario " then u can take him all driver and install driver in yr laptop

ok  
have a nice time

please help WIRELESS PROBLEMS · Answer

hi, I have problems with the WIRELESS connection after downgrading windows vista to XP on a HP pavilion dv9500 notebook PC. 

WIRELESS problems when downgrading vista to xp. 

Please help ! Thank you !

amh20 · Answer

my brother was switching from vista back to XP and backing up all his hard drives. 
Well an emergency occured while he was doing this and we had to shut the power off to the house
so now when he turns his computer back on it says "searching for files"

does anyone know what to do or how to get it to work?

thanks!

man9ouri · Answer

hey.. plz help.. I want to downgrade from vista to XP but I dnt no how.. I tried but at the booting setup.. it says that there are no dirver and no hard disk.. =S but I have the drivers and the hard disk in the booting page.. =S

Jessie · Answer

Hey.  I just recently got my laptop an HP dv6000 to downgrade from Vista to XP.  This is great except for one small problem.  On Vista I could easily find the place that told me of all the Wireless Networks available.  The Wi-Fi thing on the front of my laptop used to be blue and and now it's red even when it's on.  I can't find how to connect wirelessly to the internet and could really use some help.

But here's the catch, at least for me.  I went to another website and they told me what I could do.  They said open the Run window, and type in devmgmt.msc  Once that was done I was supposed to look for any exclamation marks or red crosses or things like that.  What ended up happening, though I saw none of these things they mentioned, was that a little pop up window came onto my screen that said I did not have my Wi-Fi turned on and that once I turned it on it would be able to detect Wireless Networks.  That was a surprise for me and I thought all of my problems were at an end.  The horrible thing is, every time I turn my laptop off, I have to lose what I've previously found and then go find it again.  It gets worse, though, because I have found it only one other time by using the method listed above.  Now I can't find it alt all and everyone wants me to download these drivers or whatever.  I just want to know where it is and how to get to it and use it everytime I turn on my laptop.

Others have told me to talk to the friend that downgraded my laptop.  The problem with this istuation is that he lives somewhere in Kansas and was only visiting for two days anyway.

Also, if you're going to tell me to open up Connect To -> and click on the Wireless Connection, maybe right click it and click on something from the menu that shows up from there, this will be a broken record.  I want it to be clear as day that I CANNOT find this and I'm tired of everyone giving me the answer, "Well it should be there!"  I'm just frustrated and out of a job which happened to be my lifestyle.  Now I'm sitting at home and practically picking my nose with no one to help me solve my problem.

Super geek · Answer

Hey Jessie don't worry, your problem is mostly easy, just go to the hp website, https://support.hp.com/us-en/   and search your model and then download all of the drivers in the  Driver-modem and Driver Network and then your wireless card should be recognized,. then you can right click on the icon of the monitor with the red circle next to it in your sis tray and then select view available wireless networks and up at the top click refresh network list. now everything should work great. 
and while your at it you should download and install all of the drivers that hp has for your laptop.
good luck!!

crazy_devil · Answer

hi bob 666,
               of course they are not lying,if you got the windows vista I advise you to use it as it is more efficient than the previous one so don't matter about it and use the windows vista my friend.....and eventually enjoy the numerous advantages..bybye

Super geek · Answer

WTF, there are several advantages of vista but their are millions of disadvantages, take for instance the constant crashing, the 15 GB of used hard drive space, the unsupported applications, the insane hardware requirements, and the list goes on, heres who vista is for, rich people that don't use computers for anything other than outlook and internet explorer and can afford a PC with the specs to run vista flawlessly. and those people would be better off buying a mac.
so if you have XP installed on your PC fell gifted and stay as far as humanly possible away from vista.

chechnya · Answer

Hi pals,
Relax !!!you all know that solutions require patience.
Find yourself a copy of nlite ,download it and use it to make a bootable disk that will automaticaly mount your sata drive and runm xp Normally.
Takes less than two hours.
Karibu

nasmaster · Answer

i I just get a gatway loptop and I can't boot the windows xp on it I had to put vista and I do not what vista how to I delete it for the loptap and install windows xp? plz help

Rodolfo · Answer

I've read this entire post website, and none, absolutely none has posted a solution to the downgrading problem of this labtop from vista to XP. I've seen a thousand posts asking for sata drivers to correct this problem in many other models. But that's not the problem here, this machine is AMD based, and when I load the XP installation cd, i'm able to load it to the point where it's going to change the screen so I can select the drive option where to install windows xp. but then, instead of getting the soo mentioned and soo easy to solve message that no drive has been found, i'm not able to get to this point, instead my screen goes blue, and I get a message telling me that the system has stopped to avoid system damage, and that I should check my drive for errors or check it for viruses, and below on the same screen I get the error code: 0X00000000, and various codes which I haven't been able to write down since they are too long. Is there anybody our there with the real knowledge to solve this, or is this something I must resing to and assume my system wont support windows xp ever? 
I attached a copy of the screen I get. Please help.
Thanks

bali · Answer

Hello, 
I bought a new laptop with Windows Vista preinstalled but I don't want Vista at all. 
There is no data on the laptop as it is brand new. 
I would like Windows XP but couldn't find a new laptop with XP on it... 
so I got a Windows XP Home Edition disc and bring it to PC world so they can downgrade it for me. 
But I have been told it can't be done. Are they lying? What can I do?

qslimms · Answer

hi I have a compaq c751nr notebook I recently went from vista to xp and the drivers for everything but my audio works I have the conexant hd card and I have tried every link on every forum for the drivers and none work I installed uaa first my computer reconizes the card but when ever I try to install the drivers it gives me a error message that says it can not find the media.Has anyone had this problem and if so how did you fix it?My notebook did not come with a vista disk so if I wanted to go back to it just to have sound I will have to shell out the money for it and I just shelled out the money for xp so any advice I would greatly appreciate.

qqqqqjim · Answer

I didn't have any problem at all.  I bought a new Dell laptop about a year ago with VISTA and immediately loaded XP from an old restore disc I had from my 5 year old pc.  Nothing to it.  You just have to add the utilities from another old disc.  Been running it for a year and absolutely no problems whatsoever.

RAC_Gump · Answer

If you have downgraded to XP from Vista on a HP dv series notebook you WILL have these problems........

SATA : XP doesnt have SATA drivers in it! Turn off SATA in BIOS before you install XP then get the SATA drivers after, its the easist way and your PC will work fine without SATA drivers (it goes back to the old IEEE protocol)
You CAN load the drivers when you install XP if you want, but you must have them on a floppy/flash drive BEFORE you install and you must know how to get XP to install them as it boots up!!

HD Conexant Audio : You have to update the UAA Bus Driver FIRST before installing the HD Conexant Audio Drivers, READ the driver instructions PROPERLY !! Its says which driver to install BEFORE the Audio drivers! STOP pressing ok so much and READ those INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU PRESS OK!!!
Everybody has same problem with HP Conexant Auido READ READ READ!!!!

Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) Bus Driver for High Definition Audio (sp33566) <-----FIRST

Then the audio driver SECOND:

Â»Conexant High Definition Audio Driver                 
Â»Conexant High Definition Audio Driver (for AMD )  

CHeers Gump!

distrested vista owner · Answer

right.....

i put my xp installation disk in my disk drive I restart my computer then it says do u wanna boot from cd I clik yes it does sum other crap then it says click enter to install windows xp professional, I press enter then it says windows cannot detect a disk drive insatlled onto ur computer, make sure your disk drive is installed then it says press enter to reboot ur pc 

does any1 have any solutions.

oh and also I have the blue screen of death does any1 have any sollutions to that as well 

thankyou

xman · Answer

hello to all the HP Dv users. here are some steps for the DV6700 and 6880ev models.
personally I am using the thinkpad of IBM (T61), but my friend got the DV6700 on a deal, and finally lended on my head regarding the downgrading to XP. tearing up the google for answr, I had seen all stuck at the same problem.
so guys for at least this model , there is NO WAY to do it without floppy (external/internal and usb floppy will do just fine).
to get started better prepare the following: hirens boot cd, 1 usb floppy and 1 disk and the XP installation CD.
before you send vista to the history pages, go to HP support and drivers and download "Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager" for your model (FOR OS XP!!!). save it on your desktop. create a folder, put the downloaded file (sp38088)
and extract it in the folder(you can use winrar is the fastest way) now you will have many files inside the folder. you need file 32, if you use 32 bit or 64 if you use 64 bit OS config. copy the contect of this file  to the usb floppy drive.
now you may download all other drivers and utiliies speciall the lan card, and the wireless drivers.
once you kill vista, till you finish the XP you wont be able to use you laptop for nothing! now that we have all drivers on USB stick , and the other files on the usb floppy, you may start.
put the hirens boot cd into the DVD drive. boot and with F1 ( read on the bottom of the bios) set boot priority to CD drive and F10 (save and exit.) when boot, choose boot from cd and watch it , you must press the F6 the moment you see it. press several times, and let installation proceed. at a certain point you will be promotet to install drivers for the sata, then you will be asked to press the letter S, and here is important: you will see 4 files all of them are sata but not all of them for you. choose the no.3 from the top (one before the last) and press enter. youll be promoted to the message you are about to install .... bla bla, just enter. then if you choose the correct driver, when youll be promoted to the installation message , youll be promoted to install, and then... vuala the hard drive is there.
press the F8 to confirm installation. from there its easy down hill slide....

i had just finished downgrading the last of the 5 HP DV laptops to XP, so I wrote for the new HP users to come.

twisted is that the files for supporting the Sata HDD are not in the bios , their natural place, its on the drive ....
who design this model?

i hope I solved some problems, and if you still going to use the HP laptops, invest in the USB floppy drive the 20$ you are going to need it , with any OS youll install.....

wish you all luck.
xman

"not all laptops are created equals...."

xman · Answer

hello to all the HP Dv users. here are some steps for the DV6700 and 6880ev models.
personally I am using the thinkpad of IBM (T61), but my friend got the DV6700 on a deal, and finally lended on my head regarding the downgrading to XP. tearing up the google for answr, I had seen all stuck at the same problem.
so guys for at least this model , there is NO WAY to do it without floppy (external/internal and usb floppy will do just fine).
to get started better prepare the following: hirens boot cd, 1 usb floppy and 1 disk and the XP installation CD.
before you send vista to the history pages, go to HP support and drivers and download "Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager" for your model (FOR OS XP!!!). save it on your desktop. create a folder, put the downloaded file (sp38088)
and extract it in the folder(you can use winrar is the fastest way) now you will have many files inside the folder. you need file 32, if you use 32 bit or 64 if you use 64 bit OS config. copy the contect of this file  to the usb floppy drive.
now you may download all other drivers and utiliies speciall the lan card, and the wireless drivers.
once you kill vista, till you finish the XP you wont be able to use you laptop for nothing! now that we have all drivers on USB stick , and the other files on the usb floppy, you may start.
put the hirens boot cd into the DVD drive. boot and with F1 ( read on the bottom of the bios) set boot priority to CD drive and F10 (save and exit.) when boot, choose boot from cd and watch it , you must press the F6 the moment you see it. press several times, and let installation proceed. at a certain point you will be promotet to install drivers for the sata, then you will be asked to press the letter S, and here is important: you will see 4 files all of them are sata but not all of them for you. choose the no.3 from the top (one before the last) and press enter. youll be promoted to the message you are about to install .... bla bla, just enter. then if you choose the correct driver, when youll be promoted to the installation message , youll be promoted to install, and then... vuala the hard drive is there.
press the F8 to confirm installation. from there its easy down hill slide....

i had just finished downgrading the last of the 5 HP DV laptops to XP, so I wrote for the new HP users to come.

twisted is that the files for supporting the Sata HDD are not in the bios , their natural place, its on the drive ....
who design this model?

i hope I solved some problems, and if you still going to use the HP laptops, invest in the USB floppy drive the 20$ you are going to need it , with any OS youll install.....

wish you all luck.
xman

"not all laptops are created equals...."

Lauren · Answer

It can be done but you need to go to best buy so they can downgrade your computer.  They told me it would cost $500 though. Kinda pricey I know.  I'm in the same fix as you, because I have a new vista laptop and all my old programs are in xp; but I don't want to spend that much money on it.  :)

sigs · Answer

lÃƒÂ¶, I'm running now a laptop on XP, it was originally Vista and they said at the store that downgrade won't go. Well, probably not for them, I had to do some slipstreaming tricks to get the shit to install, but if your laptop has a cd drive, you're probably going to end up just fine.

Here's a something I wrote for yahoo answers for some lamer fighting with a Sony laptop.

Typically Sony has released also drivers for the XP, it is, after all, the most used Windows version worldwide. For many devices, there are generic drivers (i.e. mouse, bluetooth), but some (i.e. special buttons on your Sony laptop, webcam) might be so proprietary that Sony has chosen not to release any.
 Typically you should check the manufacturers of each component separately (e.g. bluetooth: Toshiba or Microsoft stack?) and go for those manufacturers' web sites. It is, of course, their best interests that you can use their devices even if Sony (your laptop's manufacturer) has deliberately chosen to screw you over. That would seem improbable, though. Why not send a mail to Sony?

ashraf · Answer

win xp sp2

seaotter · Answer

I think the only way to solve your problem is to remove your hard drive from your laptop and install it as a slave to a desk top computer and figure out who's the manufacturer and down load their disk formating software, format the hard drive and then install it back to your laptop and down load XP that way. Because vista won't let you dual boot, but XP will. Then you could partition the drive and install vista there if you want. This way works for me.

saam · Answer

Hi Guys,

  I have successfully installed windows xp and windows server 2003 on my Notebook dell inspiron 1525 having windows vista home as OS.

 Please read this blog for the solution

http://techbrainzone.blogspot.com/2008/09/steps-to-install-other-os-on-windows.html

9ballpro · Answer

my m8 bought a hewlet packard  desktop from currys and asked me to downngrade it for him to xp,there was no problem, all I done was booted up with  the xp  installation disk, done a format and installed the os.the only problem I had ,i had to run a program called aida to find what sound and graphics he had on his system, because inevitibly when you buy a computor you dont get the driver disk anymore.when you know what they are go to there site and  download the latest drivers.if it is a nvidea 8600 gt ,go to nvidea site.  no problems with the bios either ,but cant guarentee this with all models. .and before anyone says I know you cant run vista drivers anyway on xp

sam · Answer

Ho Bob,

 Can you tell me which model of HP you are using.For that you can go to  https://support.hp.com/us-en/ and download appropriate drivers from that. In another way if you think there is any mistake in boot process you can follow this website http://techbrainzone.blogspot.com/2008/09/steps-to-install-other-os-on-windows.html  for a step by step installation of windows xp on laptop

Thanks
Samarendra Biswal
http://techbrainzone.blogspot.com

Arek · Answer

Well I've still been fooling with getting XP to isntall. I've been able to run a portable version of xp from thumbdrive and dvd but  still no luck  getting by the screen telling me that on a GPT drive or mbr drive it can only be upgraded (and this is while there is no os installed.) The bios I have is  phoneix  93.13. I kept looking to see if there's a way to disable SATA but I have seen nothing in the bios. If anyone can find a solution it'd be appreciated. (I even tried installing last xp which has the right drivers but I still get the screen telling me a gpt and mbr disk can only be upgraded.

Techman · Answer

For most drivers, Check out   www.driveragent.com

This is not a free site, but believe me it works!!  Very cheap for the trouble it saves.

boothy060590 · Answer

Hello, 

It can be done, infact I got bored of Linux software last night and tired of vista all together so I scrapped both of them in for XP, here's how its done.

Firstly when you swith on your computer look for a message notifying you to either press F2 or F12 to into your setup.

Secondly scroll to where it has your boot setup, and move the CDROM to one of the top 3. (this allows you to boot your computer from the XP disk.

Thirdly, restart your computer and press the key when the option is given, that allows you to pick to boot from the cd (mine is F3). 

Then follow the instructions to install xp. What will happen is your hard drive will be completely wiped of windows vista and then replace with XP! If your hard drive is partitioned then once you have booted from the cd press the corresponding key that says something about a RAID driver. This worked for me. 


Also if you dont want to pay for windows then I suggest downloading a program called Keygen, that calculates potential product keys for windows xp

rey · Answer

same problem

MicrosoftNP · Answer

yes you can downgrade and it will work fine I have worked for microsoft for 5 years now and you can downgrade and it will work fine some laptop bios are set to not see the hard drive  but you can fix that by setting it to.

Garbolipo · Answer

Hi All, 

Actually, it can be done,  I already did. but....

First: please forgive my english since I am from a spanish talking country. 

Second: My computer is a HP-Compaq Presario C552US. 

Third: I am a businness administrator, not an IT Pro. 

Fourth: You must have a copy of XP installer on your hands. 

How to do it: When you are rebooting your computer click on the key that will make change the set ups of your computer. Mine use F10, don't know if it is a standar. 

After you push that key, change the SATA Native Support  from enable to disable. 

Restart the computer and then push the key that will makes you change the order and stablish the CD as the first one. 

Place the XP installer on your CD drive. Restart your computer. Push any key when the screen ask to. 

Good Luck.... THE BUT....: My computer is working really fast but I can not find the standar drivers so I can make it work properly. I mean: No sound, no WLan, no modem... you know. the usual. 

I tryed to download the drivers from the HP Compaq site but the ones I downloaded do not work on my XP. May be is because an SP2. 

Well, hope this is useful for you. 

Regards... tell me how it goes.

BillG · Answer

Vista sucks, even today, with all the "fixes" programs constantly crash, even MICROSOFTS ERROR REPORTING SERVICE CRASHES, LOL

And when I tried to downgrade my vista ULTIMATE, I was told by the lady on the phone when I went to activate my XP version, that I didn't have a valid XP KEY. She SAID I NEED TO PAY FOR A VALID XP KEY.

IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR A COPY OF XP, THEN ITS NOT DOWNGRADING, ITS REINSTALLING.

THEY ARE NOW TRYING TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE YOU CAN DOWNGRADE VISTA, ...

But in all REALITY, you cannot, you MUST PURCHASE a 150$ COPY OF A VALID XP.

How is this a downgrade, or how is this considered NOT charging me for the downgrade, (like they advertise users of vista premium can apparently do for "free")

Microsoft is an over-grown beast that needs its head chopped off and split into two competing companies.

JR · Answer

Hi.

I finally was able to downgrade from vista to XP.
I follow this steps, I hope this help you as well...

There are two DVDs on the net named "All in one" (Todo en uno). Those DVD includes windows XP and all the applications you need like office, antivirus, photo editors etc.

Those DVD are stored in rapidshare servers.. I dont know if you are familiar with this kind of downloading, if not, dont worry is easy. THe page were are all those DVDs of fixing computers is this one,  if you want to take a look: 

http://www.taringa.net/posts/downloads/1065033/MegaPost-Todo-En-Uno-(Actualizado).html

In that page there is a DVD called COMPUTER FIX V1.0 and consist on three dvd's. The first one I didnt use it because is windows vista... the second one is four versions of windows XP and the third one is the applications like office etc.

At the bottom of the COMPUTER FIX V1.0 post you will find this link:
 
http://rs225.rapidshare.com/files/78733933/Enlace.Computer.Fix.txt

This link is the text file with all the links you need to download in order to build each DVD...

In that text file you will find somethink like this:
/quote
DVD 1:

Download From Rapidshare
http://rapidshare.com/files/77480405/Computer.Fix.DVD1.r00
http://rapidshare.com/files/77529628/Computer.Fix.DVD1.r01 
quote/


you just need to copy and paste those links and follow the instructions to download the files to your computer.
Once you get all the files (like 70 files each DVD) you must unzip them and burn it in to a DVD. Be aware that theres several options for the same DVD, one in rapidshare and other in megaupload. I rather megaupload, sometimes is faster.

Once you get and burn the DVD 1 and 2 ( or at least the #1 which is windows xp) you must put the #1 in to your dvd driver and reboot your computer. Then it will boot from the DVD and you must choose the option 1: "Windows XP without drivers and unattended installation."  This version allows you to read your hard disk even if you have vista on it.... then just follow the installation instructions... BE AWARE that installation will FORMAT your hard drive, so back up your info before....

Also, if your lap doesnt boot from the DVD and does not show you the DVD menu (text mode), going directly to vista, it is probably because the DVD drive is after the hard disc in the boot sequence in your bios. If that is the case you must stare your screen when you turn it on, and hit the "entry bios key" it use to be F12, or F10.... when you just turn on your computer there says "Hit F12 to enter setup or bios", Hit that key, and once you get in to the bios search for the boot order option and change it putting the DVD first than the hard drive.... 

I hope this help somebody...

Regards!

Drangd1 · Answer

If the Vista Computer has a SATA hard drive, the XP boot CD doesnt have drivers loaded for SATA.  You will have to have a seperate floppy drive attatched, and in the bios boot from it first.

webpirate · Answer

I was gonna buy a new laptop just to take to work with me, but if all I can find is a laptop with Vista installed.....I'll go to a motherfuckin pawnshop and buy a used one and wipe the OS and reinstall Windows XP, its kinda like going to a car dealership and trying to find a good deal and the salesman saying " I know you want something your comfortable with " but this is what we have and were not selling anything else, take it or leave it, Michrosoft is forcing the hords to buy Vista and report the bugs so their technicians can work them out, then sell the same version with the bugs worked out and call it.....Vista Premium.....or some shit.......

Reptar · Answer

Reformat to Win 7 beta, then reformat to Windows XP.

Ashok · Answer

Hello,

I recently bought an HCL leaptop Z24 C2D with Windows Vista Home preinstalled. I am fed up with this OS and I want to downgrade to Windows XP . I have the home edition of Windows XP and I would like to know the process and the link to the xp drivers to DL before uninstalling Vista.

Any help in this regards will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Ashok

Kevin · Answer

I have a Sony VAIO Model PCG-3A1L. I'm trying to downgrade it from Vista to XP, but when I reach the options of "Press R to repair" and "Press Enter to install Windows XP" or whatever the keys they are, it says my hard disk drive cannot be found. I currently have a virus called "do_not_delete.exe" and I've went through forums, they told me to just reformat because the virus was not removable. Does it have anything to do with my virus or is it because VAIO's BIOS isn't letting me? Help me please!

Pengu23 · Answer

what would I do for toshiba satellite A215 (i cant connect to the internet at all? not even through Ethernet?)

dmh · Answer

Microsoft does not support XP anymore

Bonsev · Answer

I have the same problem with you. Just reformat it but the problem with XP are the drivers if you don,t have it. The easiest is to upgrade it to Windows 7 if you it.

Sunny · Answer

Yes, the service center are lying. It is possible to downgrade from Vista to XP. For that you will have to create a XP ISO CD with the vista sata raid controller in it. 
Then you can just format it with no problem. For step by step details contact at Email Id removed for security

xtyann · Answer

i have an acer aspire pre installed vista os and I want to reformat it to an xp os, is it possible?? any risk????

jithu · Answer

iam unabul to install xp on Hp Pivilion dv6000 nootbook pree instalded vista

migit boy rek · Answer

dnt u ppl kno its da hard drive REPLACE WIV SAME BUT NEW HAD DRIVE!!!

sarsri · Answer

sound card

huck · Answer

The best solution to install windows xp on your laptop and desktop users is to buy another hard disk.. I discover that windows 7 has a affected the hard disk bios that can only installed vista and windows 7. You use it as a backup drives but you can't anymore install in that hard drive, you will use other hard disk that never been installed vista or windows 7.. Microsoft wants to phase out lower version of O.S.......

the lochness stalion · Answer

simple use partion magic totaly reformat ure hard drive 2 a blank canvas and booy xp

Windows Vista to XP Downgrading/Reformat?

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