Question on Notebooks:

Is it true that some notebooks designed for Windows Vista cannot be downgraded to run Windows XP? How do you know which ones cannot be downgraded to XP?

Submitted by CNET Asia reader, via email

Answer:

The easiest way to know whether a Vista notebook can run XP is to ask the notebook vendors. In many cases, you may have to pay an extra fee to downgrade the laptop OS to XP, so be sure to factor in that additional cost when purchasing a notebook.

Generally, most of the current lineup of notebooks in the market today can be installed with Windows XP by using the default drivers. However, if the manufacturer did not release any XP drivers for the notebook, there is a chance that you will lose some some functionality and performance once you install XP. In which case, we'd advise against downgrading to XP and stick to Vista instead.

lucky13

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lucky13 says...
Downgrading my Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop from Vista to XP required effort in locating some drivers, but I did it!!

The Dell support website makes it easy to locate drivers for a specific machine and OS, however, some XP drivers were not available for the Inspiron 1720. I found what I was looking for by searching XP drivers for the Inspiron 1520. It is the same machine, except different LCD. Afterwards, I burned all correct XP drivers to a DVD in case of re-install.

I'm sure Microsoft pays Dell extra $$$ to promote Vista, so there's a motive for Dell not to make XP drivers readily available.

So, I've been happily running XP on my Dell Inspiron 1720 for 3 months now, even though Dell has not updated their support website with a complete set of XP drivers for the Inspiron 1720. I've found (1) XP to be faster than Vista, and (2) there's nothing new in Vista that makes me want to use it.

I heard that Microsoft is giving up on Vista entirely and focusing on making their next OS faster and smaller. "Putting it on a diet" so to speak.

Cheers,
Rick

Mar 29, 2008 22:29

sylclh

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sylclh says...
but why downgrade?

Mar 30, 2008 10:21

rishijalan88

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rishijalan88 says...
I did get my hands on a new Asus W5FE which came with vista business pre-installed. Asus were quite happy to give me the needed drivers since the vista drivers do not work on XP. I already had a genuine copy of XP professional with SP2. Most of the drivers work. The bluetooth did take a while to fix but worked eventually. As far as I know, only the modem does not work which is no biggie!
Most laptops are downgradable easily even after you get your hands on it with vista. it is usually the drivers which cause the trouble.

Mar 31, 2008 00:25