Aspire 6530 and XP?

i want to put Windows XP onto my Acer Aspire 6530. is this possible? someone told me i might be able to, but it might have problems with drivers. i'm not very computer savvy, but i did some digging and it looks like i may be able to download any needed drivers. does anyone have info on this and/or know which drivers i need?

i'm running Linux Mint 8 right now at my friend's suggestion, but i don't really like it.

 

Sure you 'could', but why? MS is ending support for XP and that will mean no more updates, security patches becoming more scarce, manufacturers will follow suit so less hardware support. Why not stick Windows 7 on there, 64-bit version to get the most out of it.

 

i have some GPS and ballistics programs that are for XP. they wouldn't work for Vista. would they work on Windows 7? what does it mean when you say "64-bit version?

 

With Vista & XP you get the options of legacy 32-bit and 64-bit versions, to put in it perspective windows 95 to current windows 7 are all 32-bit operating systems, but windows Vista and Windows 7 introduce mainstream 64-bit computing, although XP does also have a 64bit version along with NT based windows but I wouldn't call them mainstream due to driver support or lack of.

In short if your computers CPU supports 64bit instructions which your 6530 should, then 64bit OS & apps will run faster then their 32-bit counterparts.

Check the manufactures website of the GPS & Ballistics programs you have to see if x64 vista/7 drivers/software exist, Windows 7 64bit can still run 32bit apps in compatibility mode but drivers must be 64bit.

Really worth reading up on this for yourself before deciding to take a step backwards to an OS which will soon loose all support.

 

NorthernWolf, if you get Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, you get to use Windows XP Mode, which is a virtualized Windows XP operating system. Unless your software has a thing against being used in a virtual environment, it's worth a shot.