Downgrading to XP

Hey guys, first post here . First of all, I think I'm in the wrong section, but since my laptop is an Acer I assumed I could just drop the question here. So, I got an Extensa 4630-4922 and it comes with -sigh- Vista. You all know how problematic is Vista, and just the UAC ticks me off to the point of smashing the laptop on the floor. After thinking about it for a while I made up my mind and decided to downgrade to XP. Now, the thing is that I have no idea how to do it. I downloaded a copy of XP off the internet and I don't know what to do with it, and most importantly I don't know where to get the necessary drivers to make XP function. So, I just want to know if there is any guide, preferably a step-by-step one, that can guide me through the installation and set-up of XP on my laptop? I would appreciate a lot.

P.S: If you guys need anymore information about the laptop I can gladly give it to you, so please just let me know.

Thanks in advance.

 

Hi, if uac bugs you so much then just turn it off, it is much easier than installing XP...
Chris

 

Thanks for the tip, but it's just performance-wise you know? Since Vista hogs all my resources and taking on account that my laptop isn't much of a power house, I would just downgrade to XP which is seemingly more stable and runs smoothly on laptops like mine (I assume). So do you know of any guide? Or just some kind of reference that can give me a clue of what to do?

 

if u downloaded xp off the internet for free is probly dangerous as well illgeal.

 

I wouldn't say dangerous.... but I would say illegal yes.

 

If your Acer was purchased with Business or Ultimate installed then Microsoft allows downgrade to XP.

If not, you have to purchase a legal license for XP.

 

Hi, sorry but when you say Vista 'hog's all of your resources what do you actually mean? I've had Vista running fine with 512mbs of memory, with only a few tweaks. Yes it does take up more hard drive space, but you can reduce that considerably as well, and vista is considerably more stable than XP anyway...
However, if you are really serious about downgrading to XP then all your drivers are here http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/ex_4630.html If the HD is IDE then it should just boot to the XP installation CD by only changing the settings in the bios to boot from that drive. You'd be better off taking a backup of your vista installation first and only deleting then partition called 'acer' within the XP setp, the re-parttiton and quick format it to NTFS
Chris

 

Even if he did have Windows Vista Buisness he / she still broke the law by acquiring a non standard copy of windows xp. I've gone though the M$ red tape and the only way to install it legally is to do the following

#1. Use a retail / oem copy of xp.... you can NOT use a 640 copy (aka corp).

#2. Install and afterwards you MUST call M$ and activate over the phone with them. They will also ask for the Vista key to deactivate it in the process.

So in all likelyhood, yea I highly HIGHLY doubt they got the right media, used the right key, and installed the right version. Not to mention the SATA drivers needed to install xp.

Not trying to be an @ss , just being honest.

--ssx--