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    Can I "downgrade" from Vista to XP?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Knickatknite, Aug 5, 2007.

  1. Knickatknite

    Knickatknite Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi I am considering purchasing a used Toshiba Satellite laptop from someone that already has been upgraded from XP Home to Vista. I'd like to uninstall Vista and put XP Home back on there. The Toshiba is missing the XP disc, so I was wondering if I can use my XP Home disc from my other laptop (Acer Aspire 3000) and then just simply type the original XP product key from the bottom of the Toshiba Satellite?

    If this is not possible, is there anywhere to purchase a copy of Windows XP Basic anymore???
     
    Knickatknite, Aug 5, 2007
    #1
  2. wuzertheloser

    wuzertheloser Notebook Deity

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    it should work to just uninstall and use the product key on the bottom of the laptop
     
    wuzertheloser, Aug 5, 2007
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  3. Knickatknite

    Knickatknite Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just to clarify, you mean use the product key on the bottom of the Toshiba Satellite in conjunction with my Acer Aspire XP Home Rev. 1 Recovery Disc?
     
    Knickatknite, Aug 5, 2007
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  4. Padmé

    Padmé NBR Super Pink Princess

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    I don't believe you can use a recovery disc from the Acer in the Toshiba.
     
    Padmé, Aug 5, 2007
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  5. Knickatknite

    Knickatknite Notebook Enthusiast

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    That's what I figured....So basically, I am going to have to track down a XP Home CD somewhere...
     
    Knickatknite, Aug 5, 2007
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  6. techguy2k7

    techguy2k7 Notebook Evangelist

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    Not only that but it will have to be a Toshiba or generic OEM disk if you are to have any success. Any other disk that has been specifically branded by another OEM will not work (i.e. if it says Dell or Acer or HP on it).
     
    techguy2k7, Aug 5, 2007
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  7. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    I don't believe it specifically needs to be a Toshiba OEM disk. I don't know if non-Toshiba brand OEM disks will work, but I'm pretty sure that a generic XP disk will work fine, granted you have the right drivers.
     
    Commander Wolf, Aug 5, 2007
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  8. allan_huang

    allan_huang Notebook Deity

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    I don't recommend doing a fresh install of XP, takes days to find the drivers and stuff unless you have a XP recovery disk.
     
    allan_huang, Aug 5, 2007
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  9. minimalism

    minimalism Notebook Geek

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    ^ That's why you find the drivers before you do the installation.
     
    minimalism, Aug 5, 2007
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  10. andyasselin

    andyasselin Notebook Deity

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    Phone toshiba and order set recovery disk for laptop oringal os

    or find oem and oem xp do clean install with xp disk and then use key on bottom laptop and download drivers
     
    andyasselin, Aug 5, 2007
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  11. techguy2k7

    techguy2k7 Notebook Evangelist

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    If it's a generic OEM disk (i.e. non-branded) it will work. If it says Dell, HP, Acer, or some other OEM on it, it's not going to work.

    Believe me, I know. I'm a PC tech, I've been doing this for years.
     
    techguy2k7, Aug 5, 2007
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  12. Mr. Anderson

    Mr. Anderson Notebook Consultant

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    Bump to this thread. I'm buying a brand new Dell Inspiron 1721 tomorrow, and I have no desire to run Vista, and that's what it comes with. I have an OEM copy of XP Pro SP2 with a legit key, can I do an HD wipe and reformat, and then install XP Pro? Will I just need to track down all the drivers for everything?
     
    Mr. Anderson, Aug 6, 2007
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  13. .:Stan:.

    .:Stan:. Notebook Guru

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    It's possible that the ethernet 'thing' won't work so have at least that driver ready.
     
    .:Stan:., Aug 6, 2007
    #13