Acer Aspire 9410-2028 Notebook Questions

Hey guys, I just bought this notebook from CompUSA for $599 AR.

The specs are :

Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor T2060, 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, 17-inch WXGA+ TFT Display, 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, Windows Vista Home Premium

Now, I have not opened the notebook yet, the reviews on the 9410 seem very good from what I could google.

I think for the price it's a great buy.

One idea I had was to downgrade the Vista to XP Media Center. And then use the Vista key to upgrade my desktop which has XP Media Center.

Any suggestions on what would be best way for me to do that?

I know many have downgraded to XP. I would think I need to make recovery CD and leave the partition with the recovery software there, and just format the C drive and install XP Media Center.

Is that correcT?

Thanks!!

 

Does anyone have any links how to make a recovery CD?

Also, any tips on how I can downgrade to Windows Media Center 2005? I have full version and license for it.

Thanks.

 

First of all, you have to install Vista to make a recovery CD/DVD of your current preinstalled system. The simply install the selected OS.
Makeing a recovery disc is simple. When you boot up Vista, you'll have your Acer bar installed. Run eRecovery, select Burn from the bottom of the windows, select Create factory default disc. You have to have 2 DVDs or 7 CDs.
Note that when you'll install a different OS, you'll need to find the apropriet drivers. Also the eRecovery D2D option (the ALT+F10 combination) will disappear until recovering the system from the disc. The hidden partition will remain untouched.