Vista to XP Downgrade - Comments Page 8

Thanks to Bob for the article and everyone else for the extensive comments for reference. I read through everything expecting someone else to ask this, but I guess that I'm going to be the first.

My expectation of a successful 'downgrade' would be the same as an 'upgrade'. Whereas all of your apps and Documents from Vista would be available in your XP install.

If this process that we are discussing formats your hard drive and installs a fresh copy of XP, then I would not call this a 'downgrade'. It's just installing a different operating system.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I was under the impression that installing XP on a Vista machine would just replace the operating system, and leave everything else intact. You could also create a dual boot system, which would be non-destructive.

So, my question is this. When I follow the instructions detailed in the article, will I really be downgrading, or am I starting over with a new XP install?

Thanks again.

I have never been so frustrated with computer operating software as I am with the Vista program.
What a package of garbage. What was wrong with XP?

i recenty bought an acer aspire pentium 2 2ghz with vista basic preinstalled. i wiped my hd and tried to install xp pro...now its coming up with the blue screen of death !!!
i took out all the new hardware out and put the originalls back in but to no avail...now i have a pc with no os and this blue screen of death.....please help im at my wits end :-(

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'd suggest re-installing Vista and waiting for the upgrade to Windows7.

I purchased new Lenovo laptop 3000N200 which comes with Vista Basic.
i tried so many time to install the win xp but after loading the drivers system gives me message there is no logical hard drive attached with my system. i am confused why this message is coming to me because i have vista working fine on my system and 160 hard drive is there with 2 partations.

want to downgrade from vista to xp on dell inspiron 1525. when installing xp the machine says it does not read a hard drive. i know it has something to do about the sata drive on the dell computer. have all the right drivers to downgrade but need some help with getting to run the xp disc.

I have the dell installation disc for XP pro SP2 from the inspiron 1525 that went through a fire. I now have an inspiron 1525 with vista on it... What a major mistake!

I thought is would be a simple switch have the the xp dell install, but have since found that thought to be wrong. Or not as simple as I thought..... Can anyone help me out with detailed instruction, step by step, for a laymen/women?

EDITOR'S NOTE: What happens when you boot up from the XP install disc and try the installation?

I starts loading windows stuff then comes to a screen that says it can't find the hard drive/disc.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You could be missing SATA drivers for XP...

I understand this but can not find the drivers..

fujitsu mhy2120bh, Of which, seems to be a discontinued HD.

I should have never went will a dell.
don't buy a dell, should have built my own pc

I quit, Lenox it is.... if I can figure that out for wireless...

EDITOR'S NOTE: You're going to use your expensive dishes as an operating system? Let me know how that works out...

I have experienced a lot of problems when I first attempted to install XP on on my laptop which came with windows vista preloaded. I somehow managed to setup dual boot.

The problem then was to find the right drives for me dell XPS m1330 laptop. Dell would not support for XP.

So what did I do? I wrote two posts on my blog with step by step procedures to:

1. install XP on a vista laptop - http://bharathreddyt.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/install-xp-on-your-vista-pc/

2. XP drivers for Dell XPS m1330 - http://bharathreddyt.wordpress.com/2009/01/28/windows-xp-drivers-for-dell-xps-m1330/