Vista -> XP

[n3ss3s]

Okay, so, I want to install XP over Vista, so can I create some kind of "re-install disks" on my old computer that has got XP?


Also, tell me what does the "downgrade", or should I say upgrade involve, like do I just kick the cd into the cd place in the start up and press f<number> for "pmg install xp"?

Also, I heard someone said that in the downgrade you'd have to downgrade your motherboard and stuff, but was that only related to that guy's problem?

Help, please :)

[Narcle]

Yeah to install just put in the XP CD and push whichever key to bring up the boot menu... Its usually F8 I think... Or you could get into the bios setup and change the boot priority to boot up the CD first before the Hard Drive.

Well before attempting this, I suggest getting the drivers of all your hardware for XP. Video card, sound card, network card, wireless card, blue tooth perhaps and other drivers for hardware you might need a driver for.

Second if your using a XP disc and you have a SATA hard drive... I hope you have a floppy drive or a motherboard that can turn off the SATA speed for it temporarily so the XP install disc can see the hard drive to install on. Usually you have to download a special file onto the floppy to use during XP install. Its a pain I know... but its worth it since XP runs faster then Vista on current PCs.

Once you actually get the hard drive detected etc... its pretty straight forward. I would (personally) reformat the hard drive to completely get rid of Vista. After XP is installed, just install all your drivers you download for the PC hardware and you should be set. Then its just tweaking it to just the way you like your PC etc.

If you need more help installing just let me know. I've installed XP on TONS of PCs. I think I've done the process at least 50 times idk.. maybe more.

-Narcle

[ben600006]

doing the above method will mean that ur harddrive will be wiped completly, u will have 2 backup all ur data onto another harddrive, or a memorystick.

there is no downgrade from vista, i made that mistake and wiped everything, NOT HAPPY. i thought visa would be quicker and more reliable, i was wrong

pm me if u need n e more details

[n3ss3s]

Thanks.

Narcle, floppy drive = ?

Is it something I need to buy?

EDIT: Hey is floppy a thing you put one of those flat square things in that old comps have? :p


Any input about getting the XP disc of an xp..?

[Gumleren]

Yes, that's a floppy-drive. ;)

Instead of using a floppy-drive (which you'll most likely not have lying around) use nLite to create a new XP-cd. You basicly create a new install-CD with the drivers (here the one for SATA-support) and functions of your choice. It's a very nice tool and there's plenty of tutorials lying around the web. But if you can get access to a floppy-drive (most likely with USB-interface for it to run with your computer) that'd be easier.

[A G E N T]

A (2.8 MB) floppy isn't likely going to hold much in the way of data for you. If anything, put all of your old files onto DVDs.
The poster above mentioned nLite, but that will only work if you have a legitimate WinXP installation CD. (which, assuming your computer came from an OEM bundled with Vista, you don't). There are a number of less-legal options for this; such as XP Black, as well as (double-inverted quotes) "shared" (:o) standard versions of XP.
If you're really desperate, you could go with the freeware TinyXP, however that will make performance pretty fail.

At any rate, once you acquire your distribution, you can burn it to a CD or copy it to a USB memory device (these things usually come as bootable .iso's) , then go into boot setup (F8), from where you'll get an installation wizard, w00t.

Good luck with getting rid of the shitstain on perfectly good hardware everywhere that is Vista. :)

[Narcle]

A (2.8 MB) floppy isn't likely going to hold much in the way of data for you. If anything, put all of your old files onto DVDs.
The poster above mentioned nLite, but that will only work if you have a legitimate WinXP installation CD. (which, assuming your computer came from an OEM bundled with Vista, you don't). There are a number of less-legal options for this; such as XP Black, as well as (double-inverted quotes) "shared" (:o) standard versions of XP.
If you're really desperate, you could go with the freeware TinyXP, however that will make performance pretty fail.

At any rate, once you acquire your distribution, you can burn it to a CD or copy it to a USB memory device (these things usually come as bootable .iso's) , then go into boot setup (F8), from where you'll get an installation wizard, w00t.

Good luck with getting rid of the shitstain on perfectly good hardware everywhere that is Vista. :)

The floppy drive is only temporary to hold the SATA (raid) drivers on installation.
I didn't mention it to hold data its so the installation disc can see the hard drive. After he installs it he can removed the drive.

Also with "illegal" copies of XP pro, which is what I use work just fine. However, you have to have a floppy drive to load the SATA drivers unless you can turn it off on the motherboard. With illegal copies of XP you can't use any other media to load the SATA/raid drivers. Just how it is, unless you find a different copy that allows loading from a USB drive or a CD.

I've tried Tiny XP on SATA hard drive computers, it doesn't work. It doesn't have the software/drivers on it to deal with SATA drives. And since most computers now use SATA, Tiny XP isn't a option.

@n3s
Yes its a 3.5" floppy drive old skool stuff.
You might have to go to a computer store and see if they have used ones. $5 at most i bet lol. Might as well have one, make sure u get the cable to connect it to your computer. Umm I know there is USB ones... but idk if the XP disc will see it on a USB. Only thing I haven't tried.

[n3ss3s]

Thanks, but agent you forgot that I do have another computer that had XP ready installed, or like that, so can I somehow get it on a dvd or so from the computer?

[Gumleren]

If you want to "extract" XP from your other computer you could use nLite (I mentioned it earlier too). That way you can "extract" XP from your computer an also add drivers to the new CD (such as SATA-support) and also remove functions or drivers you don't need which gives a slight performance boost.

[n3ss3s]

Oh, maybe I should've read more about the nLite, sorry, but I've come to the decision I actually don't need XP - I remembered there is an about 20" flat tv in my mother's bedroom and nobody watches tv from that, so I'll get that for my better computer where I can play css and photoshop, and on the XP comp I'll do a system recovery, and install SCAR, SvN, WinRar, SRL and other autoing needed things on that, and css, so if some of my friends stays at us overnight, we can play css the same time, and I also can auto on that computer etc :)

Thanks for your help though people.

[Dynamite]

n3ss3s how do you link a tv up to a computer?

what happened to your post count n3s?

T ~ M

[n3ss3s]

a) Most flat ones do have those... ports? for the cable.
b) I requested it to be zeroed, so as you can see it was a while ago...

[gamer 5]

n3ss3s how do you link a tv up to a computer?


T ~ M

My laptop has a s-video port and I just connect it to the tv, if you need a s-video port but a video card ;)

[Brain]

If youre "down"grading from vista to XP, I would consult your manufacturers website, and make sure that they got all your drivers. I just did this with a HP laptop, that is designed for Vista....so HP did not even supposrt xp drivers for it, but luckily alot of ppl had this problem too, and found out that similar models that supported xp would work with his Vista only Laptop...but it didnt work great, so he ended up reverting back to crappy old vista. Also, if you can burn recovery disks from your computer, with some looking around you should find the option, this way, if something does not work out, you just re-install vista...and pretend nothing ever happened. This can get very tricky, so just make sure you get all the required drivers (video card, sound, ethernet....) there can be alot, and when you think youre done, check your device manager, and make sure nothing isnt recognized, that way you know everything is installed and working correctly! :)
Hope this helps, good luck with the revert, you might need it ;)


EDIT: re: connecting TV to comp:
There are ENDLESS ways to do this, your comp could have an HDMI out (doubt it) and of course your TV would have to be pretty to to have an HDMI in...the most accessible way would be that of an S-Video cable (cheapest way too, and most common), S-video cable is the one thats just a circle with like four pins in it I think, you just connect it to the TV, and your computer (assuming you have an S-video out), turn your TV to S-Vid mode, and use your settings on your comp to set up a dual "monitor" system. Now TV's (unless new) have a very LOW resolution compared with monitors...so don't be surprised if everything looks big and funny, just try to get the res to an optimal medium. Now...if you DON'T have any type of video out on your computer, there are still options, just buy a cheap video card (for your desktop) and slip it into your comp. Dont know where to get computer parts? I would HIGHLY recommend www.newegg.com Just look in the "Video Cards" section, make sure you grab one with S-Video port...or whatever else you could want. Of course another simple way to do this is if your TV has a VGA or DVI input, which I doubt (port is just either the LCD or CRT "regular" plug for monitors), but that would be easy ^_^ hope I helped! :P

[Kasi]

cant do that lol my old pc hasnt gt genuine xp

[Denver]

if microsoft had maybe tested vista more to work out all the fricken kinks then maybe u wouldnt have any problems.... i HATE M$ its all about the money to them not the service. Just like with the xbox360 ughh.