Can XP be installed ?

Hi every one !

I am interested in buying this computer :
http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=,&webid=752558

But it only comes with vista and i really need XP for my school. I own a cd for Xp professionel and i would like to know if it will be easy to install XP on it. I have been told that it is complicated and not worth it and that i should buy a laptop that comes with a cd to downgrade to XP. I am not a pro with computers, but i can figure out most stuff.

If it is too hard to install, i will probably go with this computer

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=,&webid=752569

 

What computer is it as when 752558 staples link opens it asks me for a Canadian postcode???

 

Well, the links don't show the notebooks...but nevertheless I personally never had any issues re-installing XP on a computer that came pre-installed w/ .Vista. I've seen threads on here that speak about AHCI and slip streaming Sata drivers etc. but as I said I personally never had this or any issues.

 

Same here.. had few problems with some drivers.. but all up and running pretty easily! HP's Dell's Acer's Toshiba's etc etc etc all possible i would think. Might be a few hurdles but not too high. LOL! If you could still get the model no of the pc then i'll confirm for you!

 

When i click it, i see it. My postal code is j6k2m2.

So, if i want to try installing, i will have to learn slip streaming. Ok, i will look for some info on this web site (BY the way, this website is super ! Lots of good info !)

 

The model i would like to get is :
Gateway M-6873h

And the model that comes with a downgrade CD is
Hewlett Packard Compaq 6730s

Thanks agains !

 

OMG!!! Now It all becomes clear... GO HP!! No contest!

 

Because of the processor that is stronger on the HP or because it will be complicated to install XP on the gateway ?

 

I was looking at the gateway for the graphic card that it has.

 

Just that gateway do not have very good after market support especially for downloads. I'l check on the compatability for the Gateway for you though. Hold on

 

Here is a list of drivers available for download from the Gateway site. http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?st=pn&param=1015715R unfortunatly not all are there. It will be 99.9% possible to get the other drivers from the device manufacturers websites... Eg Conexant, Intel etc etc. I don't think you will have too many problems with the Gateway really.. it's just that it may take a bit more hard work searching for missing drivers than it would be on the HP.

Your choice at the end of the day M8!

 

Thanks alot for your help ! Your comments help me in my decision !

 

If when you have made your decision and its the gateway do not hesitate to msg me if you have any problems with XP. Happy computing!

 

Keep the Vista, and use XP to dual boot.

 

I have the EXACT same model. Bought it two weeks ago. Something about Acer buying out Gateway recently have made these things a beast. Crysis Normal Graphics without much lag? Yeah.

To cut to the chase..

XP is IMPOSSIBLE to install on this thing. You need the RAID drivers or else the XP installation says you have no hard drives. I'm still looking for RAID drivers. If anyone can help, it'd be appreciated.

FYI, they made a mistake in that listing. It's 2.2Ghz Dual Core Centrino. Noticed that when I dxdiag'd the thing to death.

EDIT:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/3/2008, 01:14:04
Machine name: FOXTROX
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: M-6873h
BIOS: BIOS Version 89.24
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 1300MB used, 5043MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10

Device: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600
Approx. Total Memory: 1779MB (512 Dedicated.)

 

The SATA driver is on the list of downloads I posted a link for.
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?st=pn&param=1015715R

Its the SATA Raid controller driver. Extract all files with WinRAR/WinZip and make a floppy disk by copying the files within the F6 fpy folder to the floppy.

P.S you will probably need a USB floppy drive.

 

Edit: I managed to skip the 3rd party install by streamlining the drivers into the XP installation disk. Got XP installed smoothly onto the HD.

NOTE: Get the wireless/wired drivers BEFORE you install XP if you don't have an alternative way of getting them ie. External Hard Drive/USB Stick. You'll find some issues trying to get the wired drivers since Gateway fails at driver supplying. I just went straight to the Realtek site and got the auto installer for the 10/100/1000Gbit PCI Express. (I'd post a link but can't 'till 15 posts.)

After that, Windows update for 90% of your drivers.