Replacing VISTA Premium OS with XP Pro OS on F45-AV413 Laptop

I received a new Toshiba Qomio Laptop, Model F45-AV413 for X-Mas.
The machine has VISTA Premium OS Operating syatem - A True Piece of Junk.
I have OEM XP Pro Original disks which I tried to install over the OS. I get an error during Windows Set-Up that reads:
"Windows did not find any hard disks installed on your computer.....
Make sure any hard are powered on and propery connected...."
The program prompts me to hit "F-3" and kicks me out of install

Apparently, XP Pro does NOT read ATA drive structure. Any suggestions for how to resolve this? Is there a WEB site where I can purchase an OEM Recovery Disk WITH Win XP Pro for this particular model? Toshiba offers liitle asistance on this?

ANY HELP is MOST APPRECIATED since I've wasted the last two days on my own trying to UNSUCCESSFULLY resolve this.

Thanks a Million ahead of time for any suggestions.

Mery Christmas - Happy Holidays to all!!!

Smokeydog

 

I'm guessing your notebook has a SATA HDD, right?

 

Wow, legally....is it even possible to use an OEM disk? I thought it is tied to a certain hardware..As for your problem, maybe you want to look in the BIOS and switch the setting to ATA or something like that.

 

Search for " XP SATA install" in the top most search box. This was discussed in 100's of threads.

 

I just noticed that.
Yes, it's illegal for you to use OEM disk on a system you did not build.
Please don't start asking Why or something. If you search for OEM it will probably yield good info. for you.

 

Dear Thomas,

I Purchased an Original Copy of XP Pro from Microsoft that I installed over my Old Toshiba XP Home edition. I NO longer use the machine. Why is it illegal for me to use the license on this new machine? I DO NOT use it any where else

Smokey

 

Dear Rajesh,

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll chek it at once

Smokey

 

Yes, Thomas I believe it does

 

There are two types of license, OEM which is tied to a machine, unless the machine is stolen or destroyed accidentally (I don't what the 'law' is for both cases), your copy of windows is tied to that machine. That is the license condition as created by MS, so legally no one can argue that.

The other type is the retail version, which is not tied to a certain machine. For example, if you uninstall the copy from the Toshiba, then you can use it on another machine.

So if you bought a retail version, then you can go ahead use it on another machine if you uninstall it from the original machine. But if it is OEM...

Again, it's not Thomas' idea, not mine, but that's just the way MS put it. If you notice, the OEM version is a bit cheaper than the retail version, then now you know why.

Another thing to consider is that MS has released a release candidate service pack 1 for Vista. Maybe you can try that out and see how much POS is that copy of Vista now.

 

Dear Thomas,
Thanks for the clarification. I have a RETAIL COPY, so I guess I'm OK, since the machine it was on is now DEAD!
That aside, I'm commited to removing the VISTA & "Stepping Back" to XP Pro again. Thanks for your kind oversight.
Smokey

 

I'm not sure about the laws if the machine no longer works but, I highly doubt that the original being nonfunctional makes a difference.
Besides, you say you got this for Christmas. That's one day to try out Vista.
I suggest you spend a little time with it. And, maybe you can down load SP 1RC1 for it.

What don't you like about Vista?