Installing XP Professional service pack 1a

My laptop came with Vista Home Basic already installed on it. I want to go back to XP because my Adobe Premiere Pro program does not seem to work well with vista (having problems capturing video). I've done some research and found out that Adobe does not fully support vista (yet?). Since I am primarily using this laptop for video editing, I'd like to edit comfortably again on XP.


So.. I have a reinstallation CD of Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1a. This CD came with another dell purchase a while ago.

Is it okay to reinstall with this service pack, or should I go get an XP CD with service pack 2? I can just upgrade to service pack 2 through online right?

Also, I'm not very knowledgeable about the procedures of getting rid of my vista and replacing it with xp pro. Is there a thread which has these specific instructions?

Thanks in advance!

 

I feel your pain my brother. Vista hates my beloved sony vegas NLE.

I am extemely unhappy with vista and would discourage anyone in this forum from buying a Dell with vista. It just wasn't ready for release. Even the simplest things like importing files from a flash drive don't work. Vista really blows.

I've got a generic version of xp but I understand there are drivers specific to Dell you have to find.

Thanks Bill Gates.

 

If you want SP2 slipstreamed into your XP Professional SP1a disk, then use nLite. www.nliteos.com

I've used it for multiple OS's including XP Pro, x64, 2003 Enterprise 32/64-bit.

You can also try vlite to edit your Vista disk too. www.vlite.net

Mike.

 

You will in violation of Microsoft's User Agreement. When they sell an OEM copy, to Dell in this case, they tie it to that particular machine via the License Agreement. It may work.

 

Prior to installing, download the network install of SP2. After you install XP w/SP1, just run the SP2 file and you'll be good to go.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

 

Those discs just check for a Dell bios and I'm not sure how strict it is on that. They ARE NOT tied to a specific machine. I installed it to a Virtual Machine to see how strict it was and at least on the first boot up showed no sign of needing activation. Those discs should have no issue. On that note a Dell technician I spoke to didn't seem to have an issue with me using a Dell Windows XP SP2 disc to reinstall that OS in the event that Vista came on my replacement laptop.

 

shinji, any OS that comes preloaded on a PC is tied to that machine and that machine only. It's called OEM software - and there are plenty of posts on this forum about it. It's part of the EULA, not it's not allowed, regardless of what the Dell tech may or may not have said.

Just because you CAN do a thing doesn't mean you are ALLOWED to do a thing.

(edit: not it's not allowed - me no speaky english good. I meant to say and it's not allowed)

 

who cares, you've paid for it, use it to the maximum benefits. I'm starting to hate all of these posts saying "omg you're doing something illegal".

it's a corporation. They'll survive.

Sad thing is, I know you're doing stuff like that as well. Don't even tell me you have all legal software onto your computer.

Now I sound like an @$$

 

Tell you what - swing by and take a look at my computer. If you find any illegal software, you can have my computer. If you don't find any, I get your computer. Deal?

Don't pretend to know what I do and don't do. If you choose not to have any integrity, that's your prerogative.

 

Yeah, it's pretty easy to claim crap over the internet my friend.

 

Let's see - you claim I use pirated software, and I suggested you come by and look at my computer. Send me a PM and I'll give you my address. Just make sure to bring your computer so you can save some cash on postage. It's spring break time, so maybe the sun, sand, and women will cheer you up after you hand over your laptop.

I choose not to use pirated software. I get HUP and EPP discounts, have access to school discounted software, and use tons of freeware. I just installed Office 2007 Enterprise, which cost me a whopping $19. If I need software, I buy it. If I need an operating system, I buy it.

 

Seems with Dell, the install is a semi - unattended install, the cd key I have with my new machine doesnt match what the sticker says on the bottom. I'm sure Dell uses images to "paste" on hard drives, I can't see them paying anyone to sit and install Windows on every machine they make.

I've mixed and matched Install CD's from Desktop to Laptops , Pro, Home etc, it's never asked for a valid CD key, or had any problem with validation and updates. This is of course as long as you are installing on a DELL machine.

Legally & Ethically, You may install a copy of Windows on 1 machine only per all the EULA you agree to, but Literally you "could" install the same Windows disk on a hundred Dell machines, the choice is yours

 

OEM SLP inserts a random "key" into the OS based on the original OEM key that is embedded on the CD. So every system and every install will have a different key. This key will never work for a real install. The same goes for the key on the case. The fact that the tech said I could do that is because I had paid for the XP license and I told him straight up that there would be issues with Vista pre-loaded. I also told him that I would be installing XP regardless. He asked if I had any of the reinstallation media, I said yes, and he responded saying that I could use those. I would of been sending back the old machine so I had one un-used license that I could use on the new machine. Also he said that all media that I got with the old machine was mine to keep. I also have an XP Pro retail license that I transferred onto a VMWare image that is fully activated so I can use it anytime I have to but it is mine. It got replaced by Vista on the desktop. The Vista install is the full install and not an upgrade so I could legally transfer the XP install to another setup.

Oh and you can check out my computer for pirated software. You won't find any on mine either.

One more thing here; all of the Dell discs are identical byte-for-byte. I have checked. I have 3 copies. They are all identical to each other. Even the one that came with my replacement laptop.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, shinji. I hope you didn't think I was attacking you, or in some way insinuating you were dishonest. I was just pointing out the restrictions that are imposed by MS regarding their OEM operating system disks. There are quite a few people who don't understand how the OEM system works.

You certainly have a lot of license juggling going on!

 

Not at all. The key thing here is that you use as many licenses that you legally own. I'll make a clean clarification of all the different type of licenses.

OEM SLP -- Original Equipment Manufacturer System Locked Product. Typically used by OEM companies like Dell. These discs are locked by BIOS branding only and generate a random key at installation. They don't always require a key to install and usually do not require activation once installed. Only Dell distributes discs that allow a clean installation. The discs will look for some sort of code in the bios.

OEM -- Original Equipment Manufacturer. You usually get copies like these from sites like Newegg.com and require that you purchase hardware with it. They are locked to one specific motherboard and cannot be transferred to another computer except in the circumstance where the original motherboard went bad. Microsoft will usually transfer the license in good faith however I wouldn't test this.

Retail -- These are the off-the-shelf copies. Can be installed on one computer per license but can be transferred an unlimited number of times. Just so others know here. The license keys purchases through the Genuine Advantage program ARE retail keys and can be transferred to another computer.

VLK -- Volume License Key. Sold to Educational Institutions, Corporations, and Government Agencies typically. Allow for multiple installations of the same key up to the number of licensed computers. On XP they do not require activation. Pirate installations tend to use these keys since activation isn't required.

There is one more type and it is the military installation disc. These are pre-set with a VLK key and do not require you to enter it. They can also be installed on an unlimited number of computers. Some military recruitment centers have them and allow personnel to install it on their own computers for personal use.

One last thing here. If anyone needs a program to check what kind of key you have I have the program that Microsoft provides when you buy your key through the Genuine Advantage program as that is how I ended up getting my retail key. It does need the Genuine Advantage stuff installed to work properly.