Need help downgrading my laptop from Vista to XP

[The Norseman]

Isn't Windows Genuine Advantage going to freak out on the activation of the laptop's XP since it's already been activated on the desktop?

That is a risk, though I've personally had many machines over the years that WGA has freaked out about even with legitimate hard drive/hardware upgrades and repairs. All I had to do was call the MS toll-free number and follow the steps. A few times I had to talk to a rep and explain the situation to get the new Product Activation Code (or whatever they call it). But I've never needed to run the same copy of XP on two or more machines simultaneously, and I wouldn't recommend it for legal reasons.

 

[CORed]

If you have two gigs or more, I'd really suggest don't bother. Vista is the more secure operating system. Also, if you have a 64 bit system, XP 64 is a joke, a terrible and unusable operating system.

I disagree about XP64. I run it on my work computer, and while it does have a few issues (lack of hardware drivers being the most serious), it is not "unusable" at all, and is not, in most respects, noticeably different from XP 32. The biggest difference is that it will not run DOS or WIN16 executables (I'm not sure if this is true of Vista 64 or Windows 7 64 bit).

 

[GreyICE]

I disagree about XP64. I run it on my work computer, and while it does have a few issues (lack of hardware drivers being the most serious), it is not "unusable" at all, and is not, in most respects, noticeably different from XP 32. The biggest difference is that it will not run DOS or WIN16 executables (I'm not sure if this is true of Vista 64 or Windows 7 64 bit).

In fact as one of the 'behind the scene' rewrites to Vista's core that they carried over and improved in 7 involved handling legacy programs (since essentially all 32 bit software is now legacy).

Vista and 7 both handle legacy software much better than XP.

But yeah, my big problems with XP 64 was none of my damn hardware worked, which is what I call unusuable. Sure, the operating system itself might be okay, but if my video card is glitching out, I just don't care.

In any case, XP 64 is a cobbled together piece of software in many respects (like Vista 32). I would use neither XP 64 nor Vista/7 32.

 

[figarot]

Vista wins in the end it seems. Given up on the downgrading as I suspect I'd get something wrong somewhere. Managed to delete some folders from the command prompt but still finding my feet around Vista and am missing XP when I work on it.

 

[Wudang]

I think you did the right thing tbh. I'd be bloody nervous doing it and I've done a few home builds etc.

 

[CORed]

In fact as one of the 'behind the scene' rewrites to Vista's core that they carried over and improved in 7 involved handling legacy programs (since essentially all 32 bit software is now legacy).

Vista and 7 both handle legacy software much better than XP.

But yeah, my big problems with XP 64 was none of my damn hardware worked, which is what I call unusuable. Sure, the operating system itself might be okay, but if my video card is glitching out, I just don't care.

In any case, XP 64 is a cobbled together piece of software in many respects (like Vista 32). I would use neither XP 64 nor Vista/7 32.

Well, I'm sure it helps that the computer I'm running it on had XP64 pre-installed, so I'm sure the manufacturer used hardware that had decent drivers available.

 

[GreyICE]

Well, I'm sure it helps that the computer I'm running it on had XP64 pre-installed, so I'm sure the manufacturer used hardware that had decent drivers available.

Eh, what works, works. I'd never recommend it as an operating system to anyone though.

 

[a_unique_person]

I think you did the right thing tbh. I'd be bloody nervous doing it and I've done a few home builds etc.

Drivers for laptops have always been a source of problems for me. They often use obscure hardware to achieve space space and power savings.

 

[Soapy Sam]

If it's any comfort, I did the downgrade from a first release version of Vista to a fully installable (albeit OEM) version of XP on an HP2530 laptop. Not worth it (except for a brief feeling of triumph).

It took ages to do, was a great deal of hassle involving an external floppy drive to do an interrupted install for hard disc drivers.
When I finally got it to run, there were no drivers for some hardware under XP - notably the fingerprint reader. More trouble than it was worth.

I finally reinstalled Vista and gave the bloody thing to a friend, went out and got an ASUS EEE which has been my inseparable travel companion ever since.
(Currently running Ubuntu).

 

[figarot]

lf I decide to fork out and upgrade to Windows 7, would all the necessary drivers come with the OS, or would I still need to download some drivers from the web?

 

[JWideman]

lf I decide to fork out and upgrade to Windows 7, would all the necessary drivers come with the OS, or would I still need to download some drivers from the web?

Unless you upgrade the ram from the stock 1GB, Win7 isn't going to run any better than Vista, and you certainly can't run the 64 bit version. Here's a solution to your XP downgrade:
http://www.laptopdrivers.net/asus-x58c-laptop-download-vista-to-windows-xp-drivers/

 

[DallasDad]

XP x64 is an evolutionary dead end. It's basically Win2003 x64 without the server software, and Microsoft treats it like a bastard stepchild.

From KB888733:

The x64-based versions are based on the Windows Server 2003 code tree. Service and support activities for these versions use the Windows Server 2003 tree and do not use the Windows XP client tree ... All fixes built into Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) are included in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1). Additionally, Windows Server 2003 SP1 is the code tree segment on which all Windows x64 editions are based. Therefore, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition does not require Windows XP SP2.

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