Downgrading Windows Vista!

[simplesolution]

That is my customers request on a three month old Gateway. I want input from the community or should I run home to Mommy (Microsoft).

[NooNoo]

Sure you can downgrade, but you will have to buy XP and you will have to check you can get the drivers first. Alot of these OEMs are making vista only drivers and it's a nightmare to find the xp versions.

Downgrade rights are only afforded to enterprise volume licencing programs

You can make vista more xp like, which is cheaper... and often price point computers like gateway only put the bare minimum ram in, it needs to be 2gig really.

[simplesolution]

I am waiting for a response from Gateway about the drivers compatibility this is what they told the owner of the machine.

The instructions are listed below: (Create System Recovery Discs for the
Applications and Drivers External Media in the Gateway Recovery Center)

This option is used to create a backup copy of the drivers and
applications that are included with the computer. This backup copy does
not include the operating system. The backup created during this
process is burned within the Gateway Recovery Center and should be
labeled and stored in a safe place.

1. From the Windows Vista default Start menu, click All Programs,
Gateway Recovery Center, and then click Gateway Recovery Center.
2. In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
3. In the Welcome to Gateway Recovery Center window, click Applications
and Drivers external media.
4. In the Create your Recovery discs window, click Next.
5. In the What would you like to do? window, select Create system
recovery discs, and then click Next.
6. In the Please insert a blank media to start creating your recovery
discs window, insert a blank disc in the optical drive, and then click
Next.
7. In the You inserted the following type of media window, select I
have enough discs, continue with this type of media, and then click
Next.
8. The disc burns.
9. In the Congratulations! window, click Finish.

The instructions can also be viewed in the link below:
http://support.gateway.com/s/software/MICROSOF/vista/7515418/7515418su527.shtml

[geoscomp]

So basically they didn't answer your question..just told you how to backup the Vista drivers..typical!

[simplesolution]

I did some work on my own & I have already decided to convince the customer not to downgrade at this time. Here is a breif description: I powered down the unit & completely removed the Sata & power cable to the hard drive to preserve their integrity,dropped in a 40gb ata hard drive relocated the jumper on the Dvd combo & set the hard drive as master(old school) loaded a temporary operating system on the 40gb hard drive so I could see what drivers were missing (SEVEN) & hunt for drivers online I installed a temporary ethernet card (one that Windows XP would install) & was able to connect easily to the internet but after an extensive search I found only one bios/motherboard driver written for Windows XP. And at that I said to myself enough.I was not going to try forcing hardware on a brand new machine. Thanks for all the posts.

[NooNoo]

Fair enough - then you want to make it more xp like? check out this thread for help with this (http://forums.windrivers.com/showthread.php?t=79213)

[simplesolution]

Thanks for the video link. I showed my client the video and he has decided to keep Vista.

[NooNoo]

Glad to help

[slgrieb]

In general, Vista is OK once you get over a bit of a learning curve. I still have some recurring dreams in which I shoot, stab, strangle, poison and drown the team responsible of the new control panel, but I'm coping.

Overall, the cost of dumping Vista exceeds the cost of keeping it. There are some exceptions though. I've just finished explaining to my 3rd accountant this year that he CANNOT run versions of Quickbooks prior to 2007 under Vista. So, it is either say adios to those older versions of QB that he keeps installed for issues of client compatibility, convince them all to update their software, or lose Vista. Smell that breeze! I think I detect the faint aroma of an upcoming XP Professional sale.

[houseisland]

From the MS horse's mouth: http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/2/3/d23b9533-169d-4996-b198-7b9d3fe15611/downgrade_chart.doc


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It is my pure and virtuous heart that
gives me the strength of ten!

[simplesolution]

I am so glad for the many posts on this topic, just as a last note I have had two other customers ask me to do the downgrade all three were low end E-Machines products purchased in the last five months.