Downgrading from Vista64 to XP32/64 for dummies

Hey guys,
My dell studio 1555 has finally arrived with Vista Home SP1 64 bit and I'm absolutely hating it. I haven't installed crap on it and 1.5GB of my 4GB ram always remains under use. Don't know about the processor but that too I bet isn't loving the vista experience. Windows 7 is an option but prefer XP. I am pretty much sure XP will run faster and games will perform better eventually.

THE PROBLEM: I have NO F'ING CLUE WHERE TO BEGIN. I want to remove Vista completely and install XP. Is there a XP64 bit version? Because I hear downgrading to 32bit will cause driver issues. I've formatted/removed and re-installed XP on a laptop million times before but never have I went from 64 to 32 bit.. Is it possible? Could someone please show me a tutorial on how to get that done?

THANKS A MILLION!

 

The problem will be trying to find drivers for the Studio - Dell doesn't have them on their website for that model. Some you might be able to pinch from their other models (for compatible components), but you might need to go hunting on the manufacturers site for others.

There is a version of XP 64 bit, but I'd really struggle to recommend it. It was not really developed for home users, and as such is a cut down version which is full of holes.

With regards to using 1.5GB of RAM all the time - I would not worry about that. Vista is simply being a bit more clever than XP. Remember than there is no point having RAM that is not used.

Going from 64bit to 32bit requires absolutely no additional steps than a normal vista > XP installation requires. The only thing you will need to make sure is that you have the AHCI drivers for your HDD either slipstreamed into your XP installation, or available where you can tell your machine where they are. Otherwise, just switch your HDD to ATA mode in the BIOS and you'll have no issues. Assuming you can find all the drivers.

 

thanks for the super-quick reply as usual. Good to know that 64bit to 32bit isn't a tough deal. So basically I need to format the C: drive, switch to ATA mode in the bios and use a bootable XP CD to format. Am I right?

About the drivers.. I went on Dell.ca and put in my service tag. There seem to be drivers for Windows XP! For video card, audio etc. Aren't those it?

 

and I have no clue what ATA mode means.. Will it effect my HD or performance in any way? Don't want to risk HD life by any means! AND JUST REMEBERED SOMETHING: I will get a confirmation from Dell for this, but will I void the warranty completely after removing Vista and installing XP?

 

In truth most people wont notice much a difference between AHCI and ATA, so I wouldn't worry about losing functionality - especially since you're taking a step back toward XP. ATA is often referred to as IDE mode, but neither are really accurate descriptions. Look them up on wikipedia, I'm tired and am just tapping a quick reply before I go to sleep

Didn't think I saw XP drivers for the 1555, but then different countries do sometimes have different driver options available. That's cool then, you don't even have to do any work searching for them then.

Yup, format your HDD, switch your HDD to ATA/IDE mode in the BIOS, partition how you like and install away. I'd recommend downloading the drivers before formatting though; it's always the way that you find you can't use ethernet / wireless connections until you realise you didn't download the drivers already

This should not void your warranty, but it is possible Dell may refuse to help you. It depends on whether Windows XP is considered a supported OS in the country the machine was bought in. Before you do anything, make a disk image of your machine as it is now. That way, if Dell does refuse to help you, it's much easier to restore your machine to a state that Dell will help you with. Petty as it may seem, everybody (even Dell) will be looking to tighten purse strings right now.

 

Check the attachment... Tada! Should I go ahead?

And yeah.. it has happened to me once.. reinstalled XP and realized i don't have wifi drivers! All I do now is get the wifi drivers and download and install the other drivers after OS installation.

 

bump! help! final words?!

 

Another question.. what`ll happen if I DONT change my HD mode. I found an extensive tutorial and it doesn`t mention anything about it!

 

If you don't change your HDD mode, unless you have slipstreamed your drivers onto the installation media, you wont be able to install - it will get part way through then blue screen on you.

 

okay.. so I have my XP drivers from Dell(which I hope are actually XP drivers) and am going to give it a shot in a couple of days. If you don't see me around soon, remember me as a Vista hero who tried and gave it his all.

 

You'll be fine. I'd probably recommend making a disk image before you make the switch (with something like Acronis True Image). That way if it does go all pear shaped (unlikely) you can quickly restore to how it is at the moment.