Slvr-Bullet

Thinking about getting a new laptop but all of them come with vista on it. Is it possible to wipe out vista with an "upgrade to XP" cd??

If not, how would one go about getting rid of vista and load XP??

Joker

just reformat... put in an xp cd and choose new install

weezybaby

you fail at math

Slvr-Bullet

Have you done this before Joker? Any issues if you have?

Do I need a boot disc of some sort to do the reformat?

bdorey

you will need a windows xp bootable cd and reformat the computer

Joker

Well the windows xp cd is a bootable cd, so just pop it in in the bios u should change it to boot from cd..then u'll get a menu with the repair or new install... no i have not done it before but I have friends who have done it and this is the procedure they used

good luck

Slvr-Bullet

Thanks a lot guys for your help.

Notorious

You may want to check to see what the boot sequence is.

Make sure its cd drive, then your hard drive(s).

(This is normally the case now days, but in case you run into problems after you have formatted, this would be reason.)

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

when I worked at tech support for HP, people who tried this called up all the time cuz they failed at it, bottom line was there was no drivers developed for the new machines for XP. however, now SOME computers do have the option for XP so the drivers have been developed. but be sure to check before you buy. also, you'd need to buy a copy of XP if you wanna be able to run the updates like SP2 etc.

but why do you want XP anyways? I have an XP desktop, XP laptop, and Vista desktop, and to be honest, I kinda like the Vista desktop the most. both the desktop and the laptop have 2GBs of ram, and IMO the Vista one runs faster for some reason. Vista FTW

zyepher

VISTA ftw!

DirkDiggler

indeed.

Slvr-Bullet

I guess I haven't given vista a fair shot. I was trying to setup my sis' laptop a while ago and I was frustrated on how to locate things. To simply add her laptop to her existing network should've taken me only 2-5mins MAX, yet it took me almost an hr to get her hooked up cuz I couldn't find where the network settings were and other stuff.

Adair

Got a laptop recently, with Vista...so far, it's ok. Has it's advantages and disadvantages, just like most things. Everyone has a different preference, but personally, it was a matter of adapting and getting used to it.

viper_2_4

my big criticisms are:

-change for the sake of change- there was no need to change around all the control panel stuff making things harder to do...

-annoying pop ups that ask you if you are sure about everything, including MS core programs/functions

-slow

it will probably get better as time goes on...

viper_2_4

as others have said, driver issue is key...there aren't XP drivers for some new machines...

Slvr-Bullet

I talked with an online US based tech from HP and although the laptop I am looking to get is "Canadian" they said there was no issues with me trying to install XP on it. How reliable their words are I don't know until I actually do it or even if I do do it

viper_2_4

give it a try then...

Since its a new machine, I'm assuming you don't have much on it, however if you do, ensure its backed up (should be a given)..

Oh, and make sure you create or already have restore disks for your machine if it doesn't work..I know HP is notorious for not shipping restore disks (wanting you to make your own), and if you don't have them they hit you with $50 to get new ones (I've been through this with HP tech support, its stupid)

Slvr-Bullet

Thanks man. If I do end up buying this laptop I think I will give Vista a few weeks and see how it goes before I switch over.

I did a search on HP's site and it tells you not to revert back to XP but if you do, to make rescue disks so you can go back to Vista. No harm no foul if you can go back if it doesn't work or screws up.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

ya no harm in trying, but it's not just a matter of using an XP cd. I have 2 or 3 sets of XP cds, and 2 sets of Vista cds, and I've tried but can't seem to go back and forth between the two OSs. maybe I'm missing something, but it wasn't clear cut like ppl say it is and I didn't care to spend more time on it.

as for tech support from HP, I worked there, I know the ppl that work there... the value of the advice you get from them will really depend on the individual, some ppl know their stuff, some people are just someone's grandma sitting there filling a seat next to a phone. seriously.

viper_2_4 you have to know what to tell them to get free disks outta them (if you are in the warranty period). cuz the ppl there do get some commissions from sales, so sales are heavily pushed on the tech ppl... but technically you have 90 days no questions asked to get free disks outta them, and after the 90 days for the rest of the warranty period the magic words are "I created my disks and just tried to use them, the recovery fails to complete for some reason, it just freezes up" and what you should get out of them is "ok sir, lemme send you some new disks and I'll get you to try it again and call us if it doesn't work" because it's easier to send you new disks to get you off the phone than it would be to try to troubleshoot a bad mo-bo or harddrive.

Slvr-Bullet

Welp, I picked up the laptop (using it as we speak). And as I suspected, it took me forever to connect to my network. It wouldn't connect when I didn't broadcast my SSID but did when I did broadcast. I was getting really pissed. Then went on the net and did a search about it and low and behold, Vista by default doesn't connect to a network when it's not being broadcast...WTF!?!?!? and to enable it to connect, you had to check off a setting for the wireless adaptor.

So far I'm getting the hang of things but still is hard looking for certain settings and stuff. I'm going to give this a try for a while and see how things go. For sure tho I'm going to d/l firefox....hate using IE.

Hey B...would you be able to get me some rescue disks??