[MrsGrey]

I have read the Sticky re installing XP, but still don't know what to do. Here is the story:

• I bought a Sony Viao SZ61 WN/C ( nice!)
• It has Vista, but with no DVD- you make your own recovery disk ( nasty). It has never had XP.
• I want Vista OUT and XP Prof IN. I don't want a dual boot with partition.
• I read that I am licensed to do this, as OEM end-user.
• Also, Sony provide the drivers etc necessary.
• But how do i do this? Do I need to go to "bare metal"? Must I backup my C Drive totally? Or just the data?
• Do I install the drivers first?
• Do I have to buy a whole new XP? I don't have disks for the one on my old laptop.

You will realise that I am speaking in a language that I am not fluent in. Please help!

[Orumph]

I read that I am licensed to do this, as OEM end-user

Where did you read this?

You will need to contact Microsoft about a downgrade path or purchase XP Full Retail, not the upgrade. XP was not the original OEM version on the system, therefore you will have to purchase XP. Contact MS on this.

If you didn't get an Optical Burning drive, you will need to contact Sony for the Vista Restore disks. Probably about $30 charge.

[MrsGrey]

Apparently Microsoft have given the OK ( under pressure, end of Sept 07) for Vista Business to be downgraded to XP Prof. They say:

"The OEM vesions of Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate include downgrade rights to Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, and
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Customers may not downgrade to Windows 2000 Professional from Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate."
I do have an Optical Burning Drive i think, but I will check. Thanks for the hint about that.