The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    HP 8710W with XPP - upgradeable to Vista?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by PSYHEAH, Oct 29, 2007.

  1. PSYHEAH

    PSYHEAH Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I am planning to buy a HP 8710W with XP Pro.
    What is the procedure for upgrading to Vista Business at a later stage?
    Thanks.
     
    PSYHEAH, Oct 29, 2007
    #1
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

    Reputations:
    5,504
    Messages:
    9,788
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    1. Buy Vista Business
    2. Upgrade
    3. Install stuff
    4. Profit!!!
     
    Lithus, Oct 29, 2007
    #2
  3. f4ding

    f4ding Laptop Owner

    Reputations:
    261
    Messages:
    2,085
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    5. Send me the profit!!! (e-mail me for address)
     
    f4ding, Oct 29, 2007
    #3
  4. chrixx

    chrixx Product Specialist NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    641
    Messages:
    1,859
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    It's easier to buy it with Vista pre-installed, get the XP Recovery Media option. Then, burn your own set of Vista recovery DVDs and reformat with the XP recovery discs. This way, you get the best of both so you can switch to Vista later.
    Either way, Microsoft provides a downgrade path from Vista Business to XP Pro, but not the other way around.
     
    chrixx, Oct 29, 2007
    #4
  5. PSYHEAH

    PSYHEAH Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks for the valuable insight.

    I am buying a pre-configured 8710W (either RM265UT WVB or RM302UT XPP). Does the Windows Vista Business model come with the XP Recovery Media, or will I have to buy them separately?
     
    PSYHEAH, Oct 29, 2007
    #5
  6. gridtalker

    gridtalker Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    2,976
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0


    lol I laughed at Profit!!!! must be part of OT
     
    gridtalker, Oct 29, 2007
    #6
  7. chrixx

    chrixx Product Specialist NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    641
    Messages:
    1,859
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The recovery media has to be purchased separately if it is not stated as included when you purchase it. Afaik, HP has a weird policy (I think other manufacturers too as it may be a MS restriction) where you can purchase Vista preloaded and an XP recovery disc, but the other way around when you configure.
     
    chrixx, Oct 29, 2007
    #7
  8. PSYHEAH

    PSYHEAH Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Where can I buy the recovery media? From HP directly, or can I find it in places like Best Buy, CompUSA, Fry's, etc? I am picking up the 8710W when I visit California in a couple of weeks' time.
     
    PSYHEAH, Oct 29, 2007
    #8
  9. chrixx

    chrixx Product Specialist NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    641
    Messages:
    1,859
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    As I don't know if you can purchase them from US retail stores, I'll let others in the US answer that for you.
     
    chrixx, Oct 29, 2007
    #9
  10. Night

    Night Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    136
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    With my 8510p I got the following in my box:

    Windows XP Professional Full Version
    Windows Vista Business 32-bit Full
    Windows Vista Business 64-bit Full
    Windows Vista Drivers and Programs
    Windows XP Drivers and Programs

    Also, theres HP Recovery Utility, so you can burn your own copy of the restore discs and delete the recovery partition that HP puts on your HDD.
     
    Night, Oct 29, 2007
    #10
  11. PSYHEAH

    PSYHEAH Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hi Night,
    Did your 8510p come with Vista Business or XP Pro pre-loaded?
    Given that you have both Vista Business and XP Pro media, does that mean you are able to change the OS from Vista to XP, and vice-versa when you so choose without having to go through re-activation with MS?
    Thanks.
     
    PSYHEAH, Oct 29, 2007
    #11
  12. Burgerlim

    Burgerlim Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hi, just to share

    Yes, my 8710p also comes with both xp and vista 32bit only :( (Vista preinstalled) with both sets of recovery media.
     
    Burgerlim, Oct 29, 2007
    #12
  13. PSYHEAH

    PSYHEAH Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks to everyone for their input.

    I have just ordered the 8710w with Vista Business from shopblt.com. With any luck, I'll be playing with it by Nov 10.
     
    PSYHEAH, Oct 30, 2007
    #13