MS Vista downgrade to XP cd

I read online last week that Microsoft was going to provide companies that sold OEM versions of Vista Business and up a downgrader so that their customers could downgrade from Vista to XP. Does HP have this downgrader cd?

I called HP customer support prior to purchasing my dv2500t. The CSR didn't know what I was talking about and told me that I could install XP and switch between using Vista. I then tried to clarify to the CSR that I did not want to use Vista at all and wanted to get rid of it on the laptop. The CSR told me that I could install XP if I purchase XP separately. I told the CSR that was not a problem, but the real problem would be drivers. I mentioned that the HP website did not offer critical drivers for the dv2500t for XP. The CSR then tells me that I could get XP drivers from tech support. The catch was that I would have to purchase the cd with the XP drivers. The CSR didn't tell me how much it cost or how to contact the tech support to purchase this cd. Instead the CSR tells me about a laptop that is preloaded with XP (Compaq Presario V6000TX series). I told her thanks, but no thanks and said goodbye.

My second question is has anyone purchase this cd with XP drivers? I wouldn't mind purchasing this cd if it means that I could just pop in my XP cd and boot from it. Then just format and install windows. After installation is completed and XP boots up I could just pop in the cd with XP drivers and have a fully functional dv2500t laptop. Does this seem possible with this cd with XP drivers?

 

There's a huge stickied thread on installing XP on the dv2500t. Please read that before you start another thread.

 

I just thought there might be an alternative to using that method to get XP. Seems quite long compared to just booting off the XP cd and formatting the drive and instaling XP.

 

Its not too bad...and pretty much even if you get a XP CD from HP you will most likely still run into the SATA issues. BTW, the MS program is just for users with Vista Business and Ultimate. If you have Home Premium/Basic, then you dont qualify for that offer. Plus I dont think HP has signed up to this offer yet. Only Lenovo, Fujitsu and a few others have offered this downgrade.

 

I have an HP compaq 6710b with vista pre-installed. I had to send my laptop for service due to the loud fan issue and while i was on the phone with the CSR, I thought I might try my luck and ask if they sell any XP recovery disks. To my surprise they did, and it would cost me AUD $35 for one. I didn't hesitate and ordered it straight away.

The CD (Windows XP) and a DVD (Drivers) arrived yesteday, however, my laptop is still at the service centre being repaired. The good news is that my laptop will be couriered back to me sometime tomorrow.

I'm still unsure whether this disk will work or not, but I'll definitely keep you guys posted.

 

Ouch. AUD $35 for xp drivers. I remember a time when drivers were free hehe. What a world. Thanks for keeping us posted urxtream.