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    Might Downgrade, but can I?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by air_max, Jun 25, 2007.

  1. air_max

    air_max Notebook Consultant

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    I'm getting a notebook with Vista Prem. I have heard many negative things about Vista, but I will reserve my judgement till I actually use it. What I'm wondering is, if I can't stand Vista, can I use the XP Pro CD I installed on my desktop to install on my laptop, or do I have to buy another version?
     
    air_max, Jun 25, 2007
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  2. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

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    If your XP is reatail and you remove it form your desktop you can install it on your laptop. Might have to call MS to activate but they wont cause too many problems. If you are planning to do this i would suggest checking if XP drivers are availalbe for the laptop you are planning to buy.
     
    wave, Jun 25, 2007
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  3. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    you are set. technically you are supposed to remove it from your desktop first, but you shouldn't have to call MS with an activation problem either way. it SHOULD activate properly on your laptop regardless.
     
    masterchef341, Jun 25, 2007
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  4. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    remove the system on ur desktop first, just to be on the safe side

    totally agreed with wave - get ur drivers ready before "downgrading"; u might want to consider dual.boot

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Jun 25, 2007
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  5. System64

    System64 Windows 7 x64

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    Will you still be using the XP on your desktop? If so then you have to get another XP for your notebook.
     
    System64, Jun 25, 2007
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  6. gusto5

    gusto5 Notebook Deity

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    May want to search up for XP drivers just to be sure you don't run into that problem
     
    gusto5, Jun 25, 2007
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  7. chooch

    chooch Notebook Guru

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    I thought if you have a legitimate copy of Vista you can download any older version (2000 or XP)?
     
    chooch, Jun 26, 2007
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  8. Analon

    Analon Notebook Enthusiast

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    As far as I have read, you can only downgrade to XP Pro without issues if your notebook came with Vista Business or Ultimate. In that case you can install XP with its own key and then call MS during activation and explain what you are trying to do, ad they will give you a new activation string.
     
    Analon, Jun 28, 2007
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  9. Apollo13

    Apollo13 100% 16:10 Screens

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    OK, here's what I got from Microsoft (air_max, jump to the last two paragraphs for the quick answer):

    According to Microsoft, the OEM versions of Vista Business and Ultimate can be downgraded to Windows XP Pro/Tablet PC/x64:

    If I interpret it correctly, the full version of Vista Business can be downgraded even more extensively.

    The Home editions cannot be downgraded

    But if you do use the downgrade option, you can't use both the old and the new OS:

    Installing your copy of XP Pro wouldn't cause any problems so long as you uninstalled it from the previous machine first.

    But, if you don't plan to uninstall XP Pro, the cheapest way to get it (since the Upgrade to XP Pro editon wouldn't work) would be to upgrade to Vista Ultimate from Microsoft's Anytime Upgrade for $160 and then use the downgrade option on Vista Ultimate to get XP Pro, saving a total of $140.
     
    Apollo13, Jun 28, 2007
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