destroy windows vista

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ryan costa
Posts: 2486
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:31 pm

destroy windows vista

Post by ryan costa »

I purchased a compaq laptop with Windows Vista pre-installed a few months ago. I want to uninstall it and load up my old Windows XP and office programs.

The tutorials I look up have differing details and generally describe a lot of headaches involved. Is there an easy way to destroy the installation of Windows Vista and load up Windows XP without breaking the hardware?
Jim DeVito
Posts: 946
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:11 am
Location: Lakewood, Ohio

Post by Jim DeVito »

Use Linux.

However I do think that you should be able to legally downgrade you copy of crap err I mean vista to XP. Perhaps you should check the microsoft web site to see if they still offer this option. If so then it is a simple as getting you hands on a windows disc and doing the install. Now since I just saw this post you may have done that by now. ;-)
Bryan Schwegler
Posts: 963
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 4:23 pm
Location: Lakewood

Post by Bryan Schwegler »

Buy a Mac? :)
Roy Pitchford
Posts: 686
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:38 pm

Re: destroy windows vista

Post by Roy Pitchford »

Preface: This WILL wipe out everything and give you a completely fresh start with Windows XP.

0. Backup all files you want to keep.
1. When you turn on the computer, enter the BIOS Setup (probably uses Delete or one of the function keys to gain access).
2. Look around for the boot sequence. Change the settings to go to your CD-ROM first.
3. Turn off the computer and insert Windows XP install disk.
4. Turn computer back on.
5. Computer will boot to install disk. Run through it, making sure to reformat the hard drive.

Windows XP installed. Now, install Office like usual and restore the files you backed up before.

I don't know why so many people complained about downgrading from Vista to XP...its not that tough. Granted, I never went to Vista in the first place...
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