[whaight]

I am a regular XP user, and wish to remove VISTA from a laptop and install XP in it's place. It is for my parents, who are having too many issues with Vista, which came in the laptop from the factory. I have downloaded my drivers I will need, and placed them on a partitioned drive, but I am unsure how to proceed with removing Vista. Could someone offer some assistance as far as the removal, changing the boot device, and dealing with the the hard drive configuration in regards to the sata drive etc...I need step by step assistance so I can go through with this. Help!

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium, Service Pack 2, 32 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5800 @ 2.00GHz, x64 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 13
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 2037 Mb
Graphics Card: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family, 448 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 292644 MB, Free - 222454 MB; D: Total - 9999 MB, Free - 9223 MB;
Motherboard: Dell Inc., 0U990C
Antivirus: Bell Aliant Security Services Anti-Virus, Disabled

[shadow6224]

Is it too much to consider upgrading to Windows 7? Soon, Microsoft will not support Windows XP AND Vista.

[shadow6224]

Also, Windows XP is not compatible with your hardware. Meaning, XP will not run, sorry.

[flavallee]

What's the model name and model number of that Dell laptop?

What's the 7-character service tag number on the sticker?

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Do you have a full version Windows XP disc that's bootable?

Do you have the 25-character product key to activate it after it's installed?

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Here is a good pictorial guide on how to do a "clean" install of Windows XP.

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[whaight]

I checked the service tag and found drivers for XP, and yes, I do own a copy of XP of my own with the product key. I figured that for what they use the laptop for...basic internet and email Windows & would be overwhelming for them.

[DoubleHelix]

I'm sure you have a copy of Windows XP. Most people do. Few people have a full retail license. You cannot use a key you've used before on another computer unless it's a retail license. If it's an OEM license, it can only be used on the computer it came with and was initially activated with.

[TerryNet]

First step, if it wasn't already done, is to make a set of Recovery DVDs for when and if it is desired to go back to Vista. The ability to use the Recovery partition will be lost when another OS is installed.

[TerryNet]

If your XP is retail and not going to be used on another computer what service pack level is it?