My HP came preloaded with XP!?!?

Hi guys, I just recieved my HP 8710w from the official HP reseller, and it came preloaded with Windows XP!

I also got installation CDs for XP.

I requested Vista Business, and the Windows sticker on the underside of the laptop is for Windows Vista Business, and the sticker on the laptop itself says Windows Vista.

I talked to HP and they said to contact the reseller tommorow, which I will.

Do you guys know what I'm in store for? Will they simply send out Vista CDs that I can then install with an HP tech over the phone (which I don't mind that much), or will I have to send the whole system back?

I'm freaking out a little bit and I'm waiting to get into contact with the reseller as soon as I can tomorrow morning.



Any advice?

 

The XP OEM licence is already tied down to your notebook, so you possibly need to return it.

Hopefully they can just send you the Vista/Recovery discs.

 

The thing is I got recovery discs that say they're for Vista, but nothing explicitly states that it's got Vista on it.

I'm just wondering whether I might have an XP downgrade installed, with Vista on one of the recovery DVDs.

Because I have the Vista Business OEM license sticker (sorry, I know I'm repeating myself).

 

Never heard of a downgrade installed, Vista business should already be installed out of the box. Maybe you should try installing the recovery cd's?

 

I'm going to talk to the reseller tomorrow before I do anything else. I'm hoping he can offer me a viable solution.

Thanks for your advice. I didn't know that the downgrades weren't installed. Now I can't understand why XP is on there at all.

If I get an XP downgrade they still have to give me the Vista Business CD's, right? My reciept says "Windows Vista Business/XP Pro Downgrade", but I specifically said I wanted Vista Business.

 

It sounds like XP was either a pirated version, or another OEM copy which should never have been put on your system.

 

It's Dell, not HP, but is an example of the "downgrade" program Microsoft is doing. it allows you to purchase Vista Business or Vista Ultimate, and have the right to install XP Pro. Dell sells machines (business class only, me thinks) that have XP Pro installed, but also come with Vista DVD's.

Linkage to Latitude D630

I dunno if HP is participating, but Microsoft allows it.

T

 

The box and laptop were both sealed with HP seals, so it must have come out of the factory like that. At first I thought they just included the wrong OS CDs.

 

I think your right. Very interesting stuff...

Formedspace, have a read of this:

Never heard of it before probably since im not into business notebooks.

 

If that's the case then I'm relieved. I've never ordered (and no one I know has) a business machine before either, but since this is for school they required a notebook for CAD and rendering software so I went for it, and I liked the fact that it has the 3 year warranty instead of the 1 year like both Dell and HP offer "Home" consumers.

But thanks for all your advice guys. I'm hoping that what you posted flipfire is what has happened in my case. I don't mind loading Vista, as long as I have it on one of the recovery DVDs.

I will let you guys know what happens tomorrow.

 

I would trade in my dv6500 with Vista for XP any day. I think to many you would be considered very lucky haha

 

LOL! I know! I guess the grass IS always greener on the other side...

 

You are quite lucky as you have the choice between XP or Vista. I guess the business industry isnt ready to completely move forward to Vista yet.

They should offer this to consumer notebooks aswell, but as usual MS is very greedy and forcing Vista upon us.

 

i think most Vista Business gets XP Pro installed because many business software doesnt work well with Vista and only recent that they included Ultimate/XP dual boot.

 

Before we get all confused and mislead others, here's what is actually happening (which I hope clears it up).....

As of April 2008, the default configuration for all HP business notebooks is Windows XP pre-installed, but with a Vista OEM licence and recovery DVDs.
This configuration is chosen as it is the most popular among enterprise clients and it is the only way Microsoft will allow for Windows XP after the June deadline. All customers get access to both operating systems, but they are effectively purchasing Vista Business with "downgrade rights".

@formedspace: Your reseller is selling you new stock and you should be glad.

 

Looks like it's your lucky day

 

Chrixx is right. My 8510p came with pre-installed XP and two sets of installation DVDs, one for XP and the other for Vista. Since the sticker on your laptop is for Vista you can leave XP (legal downgrade option described by chrixx) or install Vista (that's what I did with no any problems).

emoui

 

My reseller is selling me new stock, and I shouldn't have to be glad for that, it's simply what's expected.

It looks like I got the configuration you are describing, only they didn't give me the Vista recovery DVD, only Applications and Drivers. My reseller was great and directed me to the proper HP channels, and I should be getting my Vista DVDs within the next week.

 

Hey guys, I got my Vista DVDs yesterday and I installed Vista quickly and easily. Only mistake, I didn't take a look at the DVDs and installed Windows 64-bit.

Should I change it to 32 before moving all my stuff over, or should I leave the 64-bit? I'm going to be running AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Rhino and other rendering software starting in September. Would this be a problem? Do I have to check for application support?

 

You should stick to 32bit to ensure compatibility. You shouldnt risk it. 64bit tends to be incompatible with high end advanced programs.

Other than that, 64bit is the best

 

Thanks so much!

I'll switch over to 32-bit.