Recently I purchased a new laptop with an OS of vista,but i do not need Vista, I have tried to install win xp in vain. Can some one guide me on how to go about it?

jiaruiyu commented: hao +0

Dani AI

Generated

Good points already from , and others. The notes below fill some gaps left by the replies: how to preserve factory recovery, the storage-driver/partitioning traps that commonly stop an XP install, practical fixes for those traps, and lower-risk alternatives that avoid wiping the shipped OS.

Before attempting any OS change: create a full backup and use the laptop maker’s recovery-disc tool (or make an image) so the factory Vista install can be restored if needed. Record the exact model/service tag and any product key or recovery instructions that came with the laptop. Check warranty/support terms before removing the factory partition — some vendors void support if the recovery area is destroyed.

Common installation roadblocks and fixes:

  • "Setup can’t find any hard drives" — usually the XP installer lacks the SATA/AHCI driver. Two safe responses: enable IDE/Compatibility/Legacy SATA mode in firmware if available, or supply the storage driver during setup (F6 requires a floppy) or slipstream the vendor’s SATA driver into an XP install image.
  • GPT/UEFI systems — XP won’t install to a GPT disk. Enable Legacy/CSM mode and use an MBR disk, or reinitialize the drive as MBR after backing everything up. Newer firmware also may have Secure Boot; that must be disabled for non-signed installers.
  • Post-install missing devices — locate chipset, LAN and video drivers by model/service tag on the vendor site before starting; if XP drivers do not exist for key devices, consider alternatives below.

Alternatives that avoid destructive changes:

  • Run the needed XP applications inside a virtual machine (VirtualBox/VMware/Windows Virtual PC). This keeps the shipped OS and drivers intact and is often the easiest route for legacy apps.
  • If a full OS change is still desired, gather the vendor’s XP drivers and recovery media first, then proceed; document any firmware changes made so the system can be returned to factory state if required.

Recommended Answers

All 10 Replies

Recently I purchased a new laptop with an OS of vista,but i do not need Vista, I have tried to install win xp in vain. Can some one guide me on how to go about it?

Hello and welcome to Daniweb ,first thing you should do is make sure that your laptop manufacture has drivers for winxp before you do anything ,some new laptops with vista ,do not have available xp drivers for some of the d evice in the laptop.
if they do then you make sure laptop is set to first boot cdrom ,do this in bios setup ,then simply boot the laptop to the winxp cd and format the harddrive and install windows xp.
you could also use www.google.com and use search words like ."fresh install winxp" you'll be amazed at the results you will get .
good luck

You can not "Upgrade" to windows XP. Although many including me think XP is better, in Microsoft's eyes you are trying to downgrade. So you are going to have to PURCHASE not bootleg a copy of windows XP the FULL edition not the Upgrade. Put the disk in the drive make sure you boot from CD then when it asks you were you want to install delete the partition that vista is on, this will completly get rid of it. Then install in the unallocated space. But be warned your computers drivers may not be avaliable in XP. For example my video driver does not exist in the XP world, so i can not use it.

You can not "Upgrade" to windows XP. Although many including me think XP is better, in Microsoft's eyes you are trying to downgrade. So you are going to have to PURCHASE not bootleg a copy of windows XP the FULL edition not the Upgrade. Put the disk in the drive make sure you boot from CD then when it asks you were you want to install delete the partition that vista is on, this will completly get rid of it. Then install in the unallocated space. But be warned your computers drivers may not be avaliable in XP. For example my video driver does not exist in the XP world, so i can not use it.

echo echo,
also nowhere in there post do they say they want to upgrade to xp

echo echo,
also nowhere in there post do they say they want to upgrade to xp

First off I gave way more information than you did so that echo echo stuff is really unnecessary. Second I made the comment about upgrading because 90% of people who try to switch from vista to XP do not know that you need the full product.

lol .so many post here , are just repeating what others have sad ,and in my opinion un-neccessary ,you really didn't say much more ,i assumed the person had a copy of winxp genuine ,and you didn't that all .i will say no more

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Vista.
Re-install it, apply the updates and learn how to use it.
Even better, upgrade to Win 7.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Vista.
Re-install it, apply the updates and learn how to use it.
Even better, upgrade to Win 7.

couldn't aggree more

Do note guys that the OP has not returned to provide ANY further details as to what the actual difficults in "down-grading" are... including any of those assumptions as to full v's upgrade version of XP :-/

As much as I whole-heartedly agree with the notion of migrating to Win7, as opposed to down-grading to an OS nearly at the end of its support cycle... until the OP decides to grace us with his presence an provide more details, all these side debates are utterly pointless.

But, but,... I live for pointless!

But, but,... I live for pointless!

Glad to hear you've got soooo much time on your hands.... most of use don't!

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.