Downgrade to XP Pro on Gateway MT3421 notebook

The process is easy as you just follow the steps to clean-install Windows XP. Drivers, on the other hand, are not offered for that model so you're left with trying those from similar models running XP natively and looking for tips from other owners of the same model.

John


P.S. What programs encountered problems?

Despite what people tell you about "if your laptop was designed for Vista you are out of luck" then they aren't very experienced. Here is why:

Gateway built a whole line of laptops and their hardware designers can't be bothered with recreating circuits for different laptops. They will build a block for say the modem, and everyone else will copy it. So they create the MT3419 for XP and a few tweaks and custom drivers later, you get the MT3421.

Pop open the manual or turn the machine over and you can clearly see things like the model of modem, wireless card, video card built into your machine. Google the following file sets:

[Your motherboard and chipset]
4 - Forceware_163.15 Go 61xx Driver.zip

[Your built-in video card]
8.26_11.09_nforce_winxp_english.exe

[Your HD audio driver]
D00560-002-001 (from gateway website)

[Your Modem]
D20004-002-001.exe (from gateway website)
* If it was made by Agere

[Wireless Card: Realtek RTL8185]
Driver ver.1097_Vista ver.1102_UI ver.6.rar from AMD.com

[AMD Processor Drivers]
- download from AMD.com's support section

All the information you need is printed on the bottom of your MT3421.
Look for the model stickers that tell you whats under the hood.

The above is what I gathered and used to get XP running on my MT3421.