Want XP back

Just got a new computer with Windows Vista. DOn't like it much and it won't
let me use some hardware that was working fine with Windows XP. When I try to
install XP, it blocks me saying "A newer version is already installed." Is
there a way to get around this without reformatting the harddrive and
starting over?

Thanks.

Dual Booting Windows Vista & Windows XP:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/dualboot.html

--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales....htm#RateAPost

Mark L. Ferguson

..

"DrCaduceus" <> wrote in message
news:1A1F5729-C1B7-40E9-8B89-...
> Just got a new computer with Windows Vista. DOn't like it much and it
> won't
> let me use some hardware that was working fine with Windows XP. When I try
> to
> install XP, it blocks me saying "A newer version is already installed." Is
> there a way to get around this without reformatting the harddrive and
> starting over?
>
> Thanks.

=?Utf-8?B?RHJDYWR1Y2V1cw==?= <>
wrote in news:1A1F5729-C1B7-40E9-8B89-:

> Just got a new computer with Windows Vista. DOn't like it much and
> it won't let me use some hardware that was working fine with
> Windows XP. When I try to install XP, it blocks me saying "A newer
> version is already installed." Is there a way to get around this
> without reformatting the harddrive and starting over?
>
> Thanks.
>


Nope

"Dave Cox" <> wrote in message
news:Xns9A5E620678F3Fdcoxgmailcom@207.46.248.16...
> =?Utf-8?B?RHJDYWR1Y2V1cw==?= <>
> wrote in news:1A1F5729-C1B7-40E9-8B89-:
>
>> Just got a new computer with Windows Vista. DOn't like it much and
>> it won't let me use some hardware that was working fine with
>> Windows XP. When I try to install XP, it blocks me saying "A newer
>> version is already installed." Is there a way to get around this
>> without reformatting the harddrive and starting over?
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> Nope

He can go and get a copy, OEM would do. But this is why MS profits are up,
double dipping.

Me, I regret Vista, wish I could get a copy of XP Pro x64. But they only
sell 32 bit.

"Canuck57" <dave-> wrote in message
news:Y5BBj.71551$w94.36524@pd7urf2no...
>
> "Dave Cox" <> wrote in message
> news:Xns9A5E620678F3Fdcoxgmailcom@207.46.248.16...
>> =?Utf-8?B?RHJDYWR1Y2V1cw==?= <>
>> wrote in news:1A1F5729-C1B7-40E9-8B89-:
>>
>>> Just got a new computer with Windows Vista. DOn't like it much and
>>> it won't let me use some hardware that was working fine with
>>> Windows XP. When I try to install XP, it blocks me saying "A newer
>>> version is already installed." Is there a way to get around this
>>> without reformatting the harddrive and starting over?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>
>> Nope
>
> He can go and get a copy, OEM would do. But this is why MS profits are
> up, double dipping.

There is no reason to buy another copy. All he has to do is reformat the
drive and install XP.

> Me, I regret Vista, wish I could get a copy of XP Pro x64. But they only
> sell 32 bit.

If you think Vista is bad, you would have hated 64 bit XP. There is a
reason it is no longer available.

If you want/need 64 bit, get Vista 64. I'm running Ultimate 64 here and
love it.

DrCaduceus wrote:
> Just got a new computer with Windows Vista. DOn't like it much and it won't
> let me use some hardware that was working fine with Windows XP. When I try to
> install XP, it blocks me saying "A newer version is already installed." Is
> there a way to get around this without reformatting the harddrive and
> starting over?
>
>


No, of course not! No OS yet developed allows for the in-place
downgrade to an older operating system.

There could be a couple possible adverse repercussions of which you
should be aware. First and foremost, if the specific computer model in
question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no
WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's diverse
components work properly. Consult the computer's manufacturer about the
availability of device drivers. Secondly, removing an OEM-installed
operating system and replacing it with another will almost invariably
void any and all support agreements and, sometimes, even the warranty.
You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista before getting
any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the computer's
manufacturer for specifics. Thirdly, there may be the additional cost
involved in purchasing a WinXP license for this new computer.

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then, assuming you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific
device drivers so that the computer can be made to work with WinXP, the
backed up data can be restored and applications (those that are
WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

On Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:27:01 -0700, DrCaduceus
<> wrote:

> Just got a new computer with Windows Vista. DOn't like it much and it won't
> let me use some hardware that was working fine with Windows XP. When I try to
> install XP, it blocks me saying "A newer version is already installed." Is
> there a way to get around this without reformatting the harddrive and
> starting over?


No. Downgrades are *never* supported. If you want XP, you can only get
it by formatting and doing a clean installation.

Vista is different from XP in many ways, and differences always takes
some time to get accustomed to. If you just got a computer running
Vista and have already decided that you "don't like it much," in my
view you're making a premature decision. You should give yourself time
to learn and understand the new operating system.

My guess is that if you go back to XP now, in not very long you will
upgrade back to Vista because you'll want support for hardware or
software that you can't get in XP.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup