Is it possible to install windowx xp on dell studio 17 laptop?

Hi,

I want to buy a dell.com.au Studio 17 laptop. Problem is that they only offer Windows Vista and the software I want to run on the laptop is buggy and generally slower with Vista.

If I purchase Windows XP software speratly; will I be able to erase Vista and run XP?

I've done this with desktops before though i'm not sure if Dell has specific drivers/hardware only available in their factory install of Vista...

Has anyone done this with their studio 17 - any issues / tips?

On another note, will RAID 0 still work with two SATA 200gb 7200rpm hardrives if I am able to get XP on it?

I'm worried that if I format the laptop I wont be able to install anything and have to get it repaired by sending it back to dell !

Cheers,!

 

Welcome to NBR.

Before installing Xp, you have to change the hard drive settings in BIOS. The default settings do not allow XP installation.

You might have driver issues as far as "official" drivers are concerned. You can collect the individual drivers by checking the components and their model numbers. Some problems, like webcam driver, media buttons, keyboard light control (if any) need special care.

cheers..

 

hmm sounds like it might be a lot of trouble... what type of settings to i need to change in the BIOS?

 

I'd suggest doing a clean install of vista. My studio 15 was freezing like every day and it hasn't frozen at all since I did so about 6 weeks ago.

 

I think you might have mis-read my question. Vista is not an option for me as the software I want to run just isnt compatible.

 

You can, but you will have to track down the drivers yourself since Dell only offers the Vista ones. It would be somewhat easier to find drivers by looking at systems which have XP support such as the M1530, but you won't find all of the ones that you need. RAID is not an option for the Studio 17.

 

Are you sure that RAID is not available on the Studio 17? it seems that two harddrives can be configured...

All I can find on the site is:
Hard Drives
Up to 320GB configured with a single 5400 RPM SATA hard drive.
Up to 640GB configured with a dual 5400 RPM SATA hard drives.

 

You can have two hard drives without RAID.

 

I just realised that I have overlooked the fact that the only screen option is truelife display which is terrible, I am no longer intrested in the Studio 17.