Vista to XP Downgrade - Comments Page 4

I bought a Toshiba X200-BB1 laptop, specifically because Toshiba - in writing - assured me this laptop could be downgraded to XP with no issues. 3 months later, $67 to Best Buy for installing XP (I had no disc), and a laptop which recognized none of the hardware, or network connections, I was told I had been misled by Toshiba; this model will NEVER work on XP...the drivers simply don't exist. As well, it comes with Vista Home Premium - not Ultimate as advertised - because it was a Best Buy exclusive (specifically loaded with that version to keep cost down, though I don't know the difference between the versions).

No other laptop with the specs I need (dedicated graphics card, 17" monitor - it's my primary computer) will ever be downgradable to XP without driver problems. Toshiba has owned up to its mistake and wants to know what I'd like from them. Any suggestions?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Well, they can't give that laptop with XP, so maybe a $$ credit, or some software you need, perhaps MS Office.

Hi, I am experiencing lot of difficulties with Vista Home premium, I have Vaio VGN series. It takes 3 seconds to refresh the desktop, 8 seconds to play a small audio song. Hangs up when connected to internet and slowly resumes connecting and doesn't responds quiclky if you try to close the internet browser. I tried to contact the Microsft but the online programs are not finding my product key. Does Sony people can solve my problem.

It is just like reformating a regular xp machine. Like my computer i turn it on and put the recovery disc in before it boots up and it automatically loads to the changing stage. Really easy if i could do it so can you. Maybe even a monkey the easiest thing of all it is not that difficult.

I'm very very,very hate with my viesta, i can't use my handphone to be usb modem ( even i buy a new one ), I can't buy usb modem becouse not yet support with viesta, this is a bad think becouse right now I need to be mobile and open internet and use e-mail in any place, thats way I need to downgrade my viesta to xp.

I just got HP Pavilion tx 1000 pre-loaded with Windows vista home edition BUT I want to downgrade to XP pro. I have a CD for Windows XP pro from my previous HP laptop. Is it possible and How? Please advice.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would try installing XP in a dual-boot config, and then nuke Vista if everything works.

the option of downgrading from vista to xp is not a possiblity unless you had the option to upgrade to vista if your computer came with vista it stays that way unless you wanna put linux or whatever on it but we will not support changing the os to something it did not ship with it's just our policy just a little info for you bob get your facts straight.

EDITOR'S NOTE: That may or may not be Dell policy, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Your comments are interesting in light of the fact that Dell is still offering new systems with XP installed. And this page seems to indicate that Dell *does* support the XP Downgrade process: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/sitelets/solutions/software/business/xp_smb?~tab=2

Hello, I have a Gateway laptop model m6318. It has vista home addition. I want to downgrade it to XP pro. Xp instalation cd will not recognize the SATA drive in the computer. I am at a lost at this point. would you or anyone be able to help me on this. Gateway turned me away.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You may be able to install a driver for the SATA drive. Check the website of the drive manufacturer.

I work for a large corporation and we purchase the same model notebook, HP 6510b, for many of our users. Because the software is predominantly the same, we use Ghost to image each new machine that we purhase. We are running into an issue now that Vista comes preinstalled on these machines where the downgrade is asking for a license because Windows recognizes a different hardware configuration than the one on the Ghost image. Because of this, we are required to reactivate windows each time. Is there any way around this? We do not want to spend the man hours to do a fresh downgrade/install on each machine when the ghosting process can do it in half the time, but nor do we want to spend the 5 minutes every time we set up a new machine on hold and on the phone with HP and/or MS tech support to get a new key. Is there any other solution out there?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I can't think of a workaround. Maybe if you explained the situation to HP/MS they could issue the keys in bulk.

After calling the Microsoft Activation Center (+1-888-571-2048) six times, I wonder how anyone has succesfully downgraded Vista Busines oem to XP Pro before.

What happens is you call them in India. You're supposed to explain your situation and give them the Vista product key (according to official MSFT kb), and they give you a confirmation ID. Instead, what happens is they insist on asking for the Installation ID (which is based on an unrelated WinXP license). It's not a valid intallation ID. And then either they give you the number for fee-based support, or they say thank you, and then CLICK the phone goes dead.

I've called the activation center maybe a hundred times since 2002 for routine re-installs, and never had difficulty before this downgrade came up. I think the people in India understand how messed up this system is. How do you work it?

gateway talked me into purchasing vista desktop. I hate it. I call 2 gateway. their return policy is 2 weeks only. Some one suggested downgrading to XP home Edition. I spoke w/5 diff techs from Gateway, ea gave a different opinion. I have no choice but to buy from gateway the XP home edition. tech checked my model & said i have the necessary drive to connect to the internet. then go to support.gateway.com. give cp serial number and you can download. But, this cost is $219 with the tax and del. charge. Total cost for the desktop from $599 to a grand total today of $1,300. Some deal. I am only a user and enjoy surfing and using processor. I am totally mistrustful of sales people. They say anthing to make a sale.