Windows XP "Downgrades"

Tatterdemalion · Joined: Aug 23, 2007 Posts: 17

I am interested in buying a new laptop that will run Windows XP and not Vista.

Some of the larger manufacturers are offering a "downgrade" option whereby they ship a machine that has Vista pre-installed on it and leave it to the purchaser to remove that and replace it with XP.

Can this Vista legacy cause quirks (as perhaps you can't eliminate all traces of it) that would make it a better bet for me to seek out a company that can still install just the OS that I actually want and need ?

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Get what you want and need, right from the git-go!
Downgrades are fraught with pitfalls.

I hear that the Lenovo (IBM) Thinkpad is still available with XP.

Good Luck,
the Doctor Cool

Tatterdemalion · Joined: Aug 23, 2007 Posts: 17

Thanks for the tip. I already have a laptop with a dedicated graphics card (good enough for games and video editing) that I bought last January (the last time I thought it was my "last chance" to get XP) and have been having trouble finding anything to match or better it that has the older OS.

Now I've decided to change tack and go for something really practical instead. From Toshiba's website, I can see that a Tecra might suit my needs. They're supposed to be rugged with good keys, a matt screen and much longer battery life than I've ever previously enjoyed.

goretsky

Hello,

If you are buying a new computer with Microsoft Windows Vista preinstalled and downgrade rights to Windows XP, then the first thing you should do upon receiving it is run the manufacturer's utility to create a set of recovery discs for the operating system and then verify they work by using them.

This will ensure that you have a working installation of Windows Vista for the computer.

After you have verified the computer works with Windows Vista, go ahead and boot from the downgrade media to install Windows XP.

It is my understanding that downgrading in this fashion actually erases the computer's hard disk drive, so there should not be any compatibility issues or concerns about having Windows Vista-specific software left on the computer.

Dell and Lenovo both offer business notebooks with editions of Windows Vista installed that come with downgrade rights.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Tatterdemalion · Joined: Aug 23, 2007 Posts: 17

Thanks for that great guidance. I'm hoping I won't need it. I've seen some Thinkpads online and they've moved to the current top of my preference list via great reviews and what looks like it really COULD be the best notebook keyboard.

I've been put off the Tecra by reports of them running so hot.... er.... or running so hot that they can barely jog along.

I mainly want this as my new internet/communication box. My ADSL modem is a USB one and apparently there are no drivers for it with Vista. I assume that that means there will be no drivers for it in any subsequent MS OS.

I appreciate that almost everyone uses a Router and would probably advise that I should switch too - but the USB device I use gets its energy from the computer it is attached to rather than the mains allowing me to stay online in the event of a power cut ; a HUGE reassurance and benefit.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

All I can say to the last comment about 'Mains' power is, "Ya wanna bet?".

The phone and cable systems run on electricity too. Get a major power outtage and they are all going DOWN.

During Hurricane Frances, a few years ago, I was without line power for four and a half days. Five hours after the power went out, the phone system that was battery backed up, went out too. So for about four days, we had no line power and NO phone. Even the Cell Phone towers were OUT.

I'm fully battery backed up here and I can use my car to recharge the batteries when needed.
So, I can stay online thru my Satellite ISP as long as the clouds aren't too thick. Rolling Eyes

Your PC battery is only good for a short time anyway, so I'd sure not be relying too much on that. Go for the hardware that's going to give you the best performance.
A good router and a CAT5 cable to your PC will do that. Wink

Then think seriously about backing up your power with a good UPS.
(an un-interruptable power supply)

Cheers Mate!
The Doctor Cool