Vista Sucks

brunkel · 12-28-2008, 01:06 PM

I have a Lenovo ThinkPad PC which came with Windows Vista pre-installed on it (even though I had the chance at that time to ask for XP, and I can't now figure out why I didn't got with XP). Anyway, does anyone out ther know a good way to fo from Vista to XP. Right now I'm using a laptop which has XP on it, otherwise I probably wouldn't be talking to you now!

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crabby · 12-29-2008, 03:50 AM

Well... Vista is a good stable operating system for most people. So I think we could probably fix your problems with it if you told us about them.

There is no going back... ie you can't upgrade to XP. But you can always do a clean install of XP if you want.

crabby

hossdave · 01-02-2009, 11:40 AM

Vista does indeed suck, but "downgrading" (i.e. upgrading) to XP is not too difficult.

First, you'll need to go to the web site of the laptop manufacturer (in this case, IBM) and search for drivers. You'll need to download the XP drivers for your network adapter(s) and save them to a CD or flash drive, so that once you've downgraded you can get your network connection working and download the rest of the necessary drivers (video, audio, etc.).

If you have any documents or anything that you need to retain, copy them to a CD or external hard drive.

If you have Vista Business or Vista Ultimate, you are allowed to use the Vista license to install XP, so you won't need to purchase XP. You'll need to get an OEM XP disk (if you don't have access to one, I'm sure you can find a torrent). Install XP using the OEM disk, and when it asks for a CD key, enter the key from any existing system running XP, such as one at your office or at a friend's house (it should be on a sticker on the case if it was purchased from a major manufacturer). Once the installation is complete, XP will need to be activated. Activation won't work, of course, since the CD key that you entered is already activated for a different PC. Call the 800 number on the activation screen, get to a live person and tell them that you're downgrading from Vista Business; they will give you an XP key to use.

If you have Vista Home, you're going to have to purchase a copy of XP to install; Microsoft only allows you to downgrade for free with Vista Business or Vista Ultimate.

When installing XP, make sure you reformat the drive - XP uses a different type of MBR than Vista.

After you've installed XP on your laptop, install the network adapter drivers that you downloaded before (Unless the driver package that you downloaded is a self-installing .EXE, you'll need to right-click "My Computer", click "Manage" and select "Device Manager". Find the network adapter, which should have a yellow "!" next to it, right-click and select "Install Drivers"). This will allow you to establish a network connection and get online. After you've established internet connectivity, go to the manufacturer's web site and download XP drivers for all of your hardware. Install the drivers and you're all set.

rockin42nite · 03-01-2009, 10:57 PM

I'm curious what you did about your operating system? Did you figure out Windows Vista, or do a clean-up then install of XP. At first I didn't care for XP either, but I'm learning to live with it.

12-28-2008, 01:06 PM	#1
brunkel Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 6	Vista Sucks I have a Lenovo ThinkPad PC which came with Windows Vista pre-installed on it (even though I had the chance at that time to ask for XP, and I can't now figure out why I didn't got with XP). Anyway, does anyone out ther know a good way to fo from Vista to XP. Right now I'm using a laptop which has XP on it, otherwise I probably wouldn't be talking to you now! __________________ Thank You, Robert Runkel P.O. Box 1816 Monterey, CA 93942-1816
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12-29-2008, 03:50 AM	#2
crabby Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Salisbury, UK Posts: 2,355	Well... Vista is a good stable operating system for most people. So I think we could probably fix your problems with it if you told us about them. There is no going back... ie you can't upgrade to XP. But you can always do a clean install of XP if you want. crabby
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01-02-2009, 11:40 AM	#3
hossdave Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1	Vista sucks - downgrade Vista does indeed suck, but "downgrading" (i.e. upgrading) to XP is not too difficult. First, you'll need to go to the web site of the laptop manufacturer (in this case, IBM) and search for drivers. You'll need to download the XP drivers for your network adapter(s) and save them to a CD or flash drive, so that once you've downgraded you can get your network connection working and download the rest of the necessary drivers (video, audio, etc.). If you have any documents or anything that you need to retain, copy them to a CD or external hard drive. If you have Vista Business or Vista Ultimate, you are allowed to use the Vista license to install XP, so you won't need to purchase XP. You'll need to get an OEM XP disk (if you don't have access to one, I'm sure you can find a torrent). Install XP using the OEM disk, and when it asks for a CD key, enter the key from any existing system running XP, such as one at your office or at a friend's house (it should be on a sticker on the case if it was purchased from a major manufacturer). Once the installation is complete, XP will need to be activated. Activation won't work, of course, since the CD key that you entered is already activated for a different PC. Call the 800 number on the activation screen, get to a live person and tell them that you're downgrading from Vista Business; they will give you an XP key to use. If you have Vista Home, you're going to have to purchase a copy of XP to install; Microsoft only allows you to downgrade for free with Vista Business or Vista Ultimate. When installing XP, make sure you reformat the drive - XP uses a different type of MBR than Vista. After you've installed XP on your laptop, install the network adapter drivers that you downloaded before (Unless the driver package that you downloaded is a self-installing .EXE, you'll need to right-click "My Computer", click "Manage" and select "Device Manager". Find the network adapter, which should have a yellow "!" next to it, right-click and select "Install Drivers"). This will allow you to establish a network connection and get online. After you've established internet connectivity, go to the manufacturer's web site and download XP drivers for all of your hardware. Install the drivers and you're all set.
(Offline)

03-01-2009, 10:57 PM	#4
rockin42nite Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Red Boiling Springs, TN Posts: 10	I'm curious what you did about your operating system? Did you figure out Windows Vista, or do a clean-up then install of XP. At first I didn't care for XP either, but I'm learning to live with it.
(Offline)

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