Vista downgrade to XP

Due to compatibility with my software I need to downgrade from Vista Business to XP pro.. I'm assuming that XP pro is compatible with my Vostro 1710. really hope so.. Do I have downgrade right because I have Vista Business? and Does anyone know if I can use an existing Windows XP Pro recovery CD and then authorise it over the phone transferring the licence in some way. Still getting my head round this so any help really appreciated..

 

Your XP Pro OS will work on the vostro 1710. From what I understand, you can't use an exisiting windows XP pro recovery CD for the new XP Pro you are getting. I think they work as a pair but I am not quite sure.

 

Did you try Vista's XP compatibility mode? Right-click, Properties, Compatibility tab.

Anyway, yes you have downgrade rights, but you need to get an XP disc. I don't know where you got this recovery disc or what's on it exactly... if it's a copy of Windows that came with another Dell then I think it should be ok, but if it's a restore disc/installation image for another computer then it won't work. You could always try it and see. If it doesn't work, you can try calling Dell; they may be willing to send you an XP Pro disc since you have downgrade rights.

 

Yep, it is! You'll find XP drivers for it under Drivers and Downloads on dell.com/support . You'll want to download at least the ethernet (or wireless card one, depending on which you use) before switching operating systems - otherwise you might be left with no way to download them.

Yes, you do. Vista Business and Ultimate have downgrade rights to XP Pro.

Yes, you can. You can use any XP Pro CD when exercising your downgrade rights, even one that has already been used by someone else when installing Windows. In that case you'll have to activate by telephone (unless it's a Dell OEM CD), but it should work just fine - just have your Vista license number on hand, as it's likely they'll ask for it. It'll be on the bottom of your laptop.

I'd recommend trying to use a Dell OEM, non-manufacturer OEM, or retail XP Pro disc simply because they'll give you clean installs, but there's no reason an XP Pro disc from some other manufacturer, say HP, shouldn't work. You'll just get all the pre-installed programs that manufacturer includes.

 

Thanks for the reply

Is't my old software that will require ungrades to work on the 32bit OS. Too expencive to upgrade a number of packages. But eventually im sure I will have to.

 

Thanks for all you help guys. will give it a go