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    Cant downgrade?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by NeRo45, Jun 2, 2008.

  1. NeRo45

    NeRo45 Notebook Evangelist

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    Like the title says. For some reason I can't downgrade from Vista to XP. When I try to run the CD it says that i have a newer version of Windows and have to delete it. Also when I go to boot from CD it says that I don't have a hard disk drive connected. I don't know what to do and I really need to put XP on my computer so that I can run a specific program for my class. Thanks in advance
     
    NeRo45, Jun 2, 2008
    #1
  2. dodgeqwe

    dodgeqwe Notebook Guru

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    the reaon for no HDD message is Windows Xp cant detect SATA HDD , at the time of release SATA was not there so they didint put driver in XP cd. u can add
    SATA driver to your XP CD using a small tool called nlite. google "nlite" , download it and integrate SATA drivers into your XP disk .this will solve problem.

    u didnt mention about the make of ur notebook send me the make of note book to know which SATA driver to use.
     
    dodgeqwe, Jun 2, 2008
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  3. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    1. You cannot downgrade from Vista to XP without reformatting the HDD.

    2. XP needs SATA drivers to recognize the SATA HDD. Either look in the BIOS for an option to disable SATA and then install XP or slipstream the SATA drivers onto an XP CD. Alternatively you can also use an external floppy and install the drivers during installation.
     
    miner, Jun 2, 2008
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  4. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Reformatting will destroy all the data on that partition, so you need to back everything up.
     
    Greg, Jun 2, 2008
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  5. Notebooka

    Notebooka Notebook Enthusiast

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    Backup backup backup pal. You dont want any form of screwups later on
     
    Notebooka, Jun 2, 2008
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  6. bigozone

    bigozone JellyRoll touring now

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    bigozone, Jun 2, 2008
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  7. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Before downgrading, try running the program in XP compatibility mode (and as an administrator too). Right-click the program or shortcut, Properties, Compatibility tab.
     
    swarmer, Jun 2, 2008
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  8. NeRo45

    NeRo45 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have everything backed up already. My laptop is a Lenovo Thinkpad T61p. I dont belive you need the specs though.
     
    NeRo45, Jun 3, 2008
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  9. orev

    orev Notebook Virtuoso

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    Instead of wiping out Vista and going through all of this to get XP on there, install VMware or Virtual PC, then install XP in that. If all you need is XP for your class, there's no reason to wipe out your whole computer.
     
    orev, Jun 3, 2008
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  10. NeRo45

    NeRo45 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, Orev you are right. But I wold rather work with XP for the rest of my years in college so that I can continually use that program. I did think about that but rather it this way =)
     
    NeRo45, Jun 3, 2008
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  11. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    follow the previous posts about installing XP, but instead of wiping it out, why not consider a dual-boot along with orev's suggestions?

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Jun 3, 2008
    #11