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General discussion

Installing Windows XP over Windows Vista

Dec 10, 2006 11:22AM PST

I have Windows Vista RC2 installed on my new Gateway laptop and I'm trying to install Windows XP on it. However, when I insert the CD and open the setup it says that I cannot install an older version of Windows over Windows Vista. When I boot from the Windows XP install disc, it says that It cannot locate my hard drive. My hard drive is a Western Digital WD1200BEVS. I don't know what to do. Have any ideas?

Discussion is locked

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Installing Windows XP over Windows Vista
Sep 19, 2007 3:29AM PDT

hi, I went into the BIOS and DISABLED the SATA Drive option and then booted from the XP CD and that worked, it loctaed the hard disk and installed XP.

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Installing Windows XP over Windows Vista...Very Clever idea
Sep 22, 2007 6:11AM PDT

Try backing up your important files and using the vista setup to delete the partions and create new ones. so when you start the windows vista you format(the quick format selection is better, and saves time) and boot your windows xp disc and install on another drive.

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XP and Vista
Oct 6, 2007 2:29AM PDT

Hi, I have worked with other computers that are pretty old and they can work with various operating systems, all of them from windows(2000, ME, XP) and I have a HP compaq laptop with vista in it, so I was wondering if I try to install XP would it automatically erase vista or will it have the two operating systems?

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Depends On How You Do It...But..
Oct 6, 2007 6:53AM PDT

...you can't really install XP 'over the top" of Vista.. Either you use a second hard drive to create a dual-boot, or you wipe the drive of Vista, then install XP , then Vista for a single drive dual-boot, OR... you wipe the drive entirely, then install XP by itself..

There are lots of discussions about your pursuit.. For example, check the discussion at the top of this Vista forum about downgrading to XP. Here's the link:

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?forumID=133&threadID=243153&messageID=2460401

Hope this helps.

Grif

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XP & Vista
Oct 8, 2007 3:04AM PDT

If you boot from the XP CD and choose the option to format the existing drive (that you will install XP on) then it will clean out Vista & install XP over it. It worked for me.

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Answer to your queries...............hope it helps
Oct 10, 2007 1:56AM PDT
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i installed xp over vista
Oct 23, 2007 10:32AM PDT

first get the drivers on cd, ie., pointers, sound, graphics. i had 9 all together. then reboot and start tapping f12. on my screen i entered cd/dvd drive, installed the xp cd and hit enter while holding the spacebar down. then i just followed the prompts for a new install, format, etc. then i came onto 3 choices to install. hit "quick". xp will install. if it doesn't install completely, restart and try it again. it took me 3 times. then install the needed drivers. now my notebook that came with vista basic(which is 100% garbage) is now xp and it's the best computer i've had so far

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Problem during XP setup on Dell Inspiron 530
Oct 28, 2007 7:06AM PDT

Well I shrunk the HD and created the right partition space so that I could dual boot. Everything was going fine until I got to the Blue "Welcome to Setup" screen, where you press enter to install, R to repair or F3 to quit. Now my problem is, that when I press enter, nothing happens. Even if I press R or F3 nothing happens.

And yes, my keyboard is connected. Silly

help please???

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xp over vista
Oct 28, 2007 9:00PM PDT

i didn't partition mine to dual boot. i installed xp over vista basic. it didn't fully install the first time, i reinstalled the second time by just inserting the xp disk as a normal install.
i wouldn't know why you can't get a keyboard responce.

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I want to install xp over vista on HP dv2500t
Mar 7, 2008 8:32AM PST

Hi,
I have a same problem and I have read many thread about this. But I couldn't find the drivers(chipset, bios etc.) for hp dv2500t for win xp pro version..Not even on hp website. Can anyone tell me where to find the required driver. Althogh I got sound and sata hard disk driver for xp.
thanks

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Ask HP.
Mar 7, 2008 11:57PM PST
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Thanks for the help.. I got the xp drivers from hp.
Mar 8, 2008 5:32PM PST

I will now give it a shot..
thanks

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please help oh mighty god....
Feb 16, 2009 4:17PM PST

you must be a god.... or goddess!

you said your machine works great now running on xp rather than vista and from reading blogs etc, it so makes sense! problem is, HP and microsoft are in bed and they dont want out! therefore, HP does everything possible to discourage going back to the tried and true XP. I know a lot about the systems and vista taking sooooo much more memory to work, and vista problems with many softwares, and yada yada yada. Me too.

I know plenty enough to get myself in lots of trouble w/ computer stuff. I know how to turn it on and use stuff, but configure.....it's all greek. Im a contractor. When there is a problem, I/we rip it out until the problem is gone and rebuild it. Nails, 2x4's, wire, etc; I can see it and fix it. Computer stuff.....it works or it does not work. Vista does not work. I have never wanted to fix a new computer with a nail gun so bad, but that would be too easy so a hammer would be better.....Please help before I get this far.

Your blog says you fixed your computer by dumping vista and installing xp. I bought XP w/ sp2. sorry, blog is 14+ months old. (microsoft should be bankrupt for creating this vista crap) If I did work like Vista, I would have all callbacks and no profitable work. I cant get XP to get past the pretty blue screen w/ error. Tried twice, and same thing. started looking more up, on and on, and found your success.

Ok, my computer is a new (Nov 0Cool:
HP pavilion dv5t-1000
vista home premium w/ sp1 32 bit
intel core2 duo processor T5800 (2.0GHz)
3GB memory
250GB 5400rpm SATA hard drive
mic & webcam built in
wireless G
no modem
supermulti 8x DVD+/_R/RW with double layer support cd drive
no TV tuner
6 cell LiIon battery
Microsoft Works 9.0
(all this right off my build sheet)

All the terminology is so greek to me, Im sorry. Cold you walk me/friend through the steps to make my computer kick a$$ like yours please? I will have a friend do it who is an IT director and knows his shtuff.

You could make an OBSCENE amount of money doing this full time due to all the Vista haters.

Sincerely,
Jeff (aka: jeffHATESvista)

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PLEASE HELP
Dec 21, 2007 5:56AM PST

Please can you help me ? I have a notebook HP 8710p amd has windows Vista license. I tried to uninstal the windows vista and instal the xp. When I boot the cd I press F6 to instal dhe sata driver. It was working I select the device I format the partition and after that a mesage apper and ask me to insert the Intel Matrix Sourced Device Driver in drive A. I put it ( I use a external USB Floppy) but didn't read the floppy. I don't understand anything. I tryed 100 times but dosen,t work. Pleae help me. Thank you. ( sorry for my english)

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I can't help.
Dec 21, 2007 6:09AM PST

You didn't reveal how you created that floppy. Such as format and what files you dropped on it.

Try this tool -> http://www.google.com/search?q=F6Floppy.exe

Some like that method. And I won't duplicate the advice about the BIOS setting change.

Bob

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installing windows xp on hp dv5000
May 22, 2008 2:43AM PDT

i had windows xp media center and now i have vista ultimate (and i love windows vista but my computer is just to slow) so i wanted to install xp again but when i put in the hp windows recovery cd it boots up it the blue screen and loads all drivers but then it gets to the "windows starting up" and then it just shuts off at random times during that. i have tried at least 20 times and same thing... and i used different xp cd's and everthing please help me!!

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here is it
Jul 21, 2008 9:19AM PDT

i had this problem and i just installed windows xp by booting from the cd and installed it normal and formated the disk and worked good even i tryed later by putting xp in other disk with vista xp work and vista files was there but windows xp boot normaly and if it didn't work use an bootable fromat cd and format your vista disk and setup xp normal and thank you

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how can i intall window xp on vista hdd
Aug 16, 2008 2:34AM PDT

i want to install xp when window xp start setup then compuetr give me message hdd not found

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Just checking.
Aug 16, 2008 2:51AM PDT

I see you posted but that message and how to fix is answered here in this discussion. Also, you shouldn't add to long discussions as your post would be lost.

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hello
Aug 17, 2008 1:07AM PDT

i have toshiba laptop with preinstall vista home premium it is giving problems with old softwares i want to install window xp 2006 i know it is bootable disk but when it satart after coping files it is giving me message hard disk not found.pliz help me how can i format vista and install xp

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That question...
Aug 17, 2008 2:22AM PDT

Has answers in this forum. Be sure to use the prior answers to common questions.

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(NT) Disable SATA support in BIOS or track down the SATA drivers.
Aug 17, 2008 2:36AM PDT
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 23, 2008 12:26AM PDT

I HAVE DAMNED HP PAVILION dv5 1002nr WITH DAMNED VISTA, I want to install blesed XP! I cannot disable sata in BIOS dono y!!!

Tryed everything!!!

If somebody knows how to kill vista please tell me how!

Message was edited by: admin

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You may have one of the hard ones.
Oct 23, 2008 12:44AM PDT
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how to install windows xp on a vista acer aspire 3100-1405?
Dec 6, 2008 5:22PM PST

does boot from the windows xp install cd please help me

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Just did.
Dec 6, 2008 11:39PM PST
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insalling xp over vista
Dec 21, 2008 12:51PM PST

I get a message saying Iam trying to instal over a later version of Windows .Vista I find is to restrictive when intalling any program that is not microsoft.Why do they make so difficult when xp is microsoft?

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And You've Tried Wiping The Drive First?
Dec 22, 2008 8:34AM PST
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my hp dv8000
Feb 4, 2009 5:26PM PST

I wanted to downgrade to windows xp and this is what i did. I disabled sata, ran xp, and found on bt junkie a program called 100,000 drivers for windows vista,xp,nt and 200. I went to the control panel and clicked on printers and other hardware. Then I clicked on add hardware on the left sidebar. After that the add hardware wizard came up. I clicked next and then it asked me is the hardware connected. I said yes. after that it showed me the drivers that wasn't installed. I put the 100,000 drivers cd in my laptop. After that Iclicked on the driver i wanted to install and told the wizard to look in my cd which is E: and it found them. Downloading the drivers from Hp WON'T WORK! You need the 100,000 drivers torrent. Use any torrent program to get it. It works period!

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XP installation CD
Jul 24, 2009 3:54AM PDT

Original XP installation disks do not know how to handle SATA drives.
This is the problem you are encountering when booting from XP CD.
I am looking for a solution to this problem myself.