Vista problems, convert to XP

steelCity · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 08:35 PM

My brother's laptop is taking a while to boot up, right out of the box, too. His processor is AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-64. I think it is booting slowly because of Vista.

From the sounds of things, XP is a much better OS than Vista, so how can I go about getting XP put on my brother's brand new laptop without having to purchase it. Will Microsoft make an exception for such a ****ty OS? Thanks.

**Thaylok** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 08:48 PM

I recommend reading this first.. it will give you the basic ideas. Upgrading Vista to XP is always good. I'd recommend buying the Professional version (XP Pro) for many reasons.

FAQ: Giving up on Vista? Here's how to downgrade to XP

Now, Before you go to all that hassle, expense and trouble, have you considered adding more RAM? Usually laptops allow for 2 sticks, and they come with 1. While MS says 1GB is good, you really need more. It may be cheaper to buy a stick or two of RAM (1 - 2 GB) and install that and see how it works. If you/he still want to switch to XP, you will have a much faster machine.

Consider too, before you do the change, to verify all the drivers are available for XP (download them to a flash drive). It will suck to upgrade to XP and find that the network drivers are not included and you don't have them ready to install (in the correct version).

Also, IMHO and others, consider trying Linux. Download and burn a Live CD, try it out and see what you think. You may be surprised, it's not your father's Oldsmobile..

**Ash** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 08:49 PM

Has he brought the laptop recently at all?

steelCity · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 08:54 PM

Last week.

**Ash** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 08:58 PM

What brand is it? Some manufacturers are swapping copies of Vista for XP.

Atticus_Finch · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 12:52 AM

how dare you speak ill of vista

HEIL MICROSOFT

[STAFF NOTE: Stop being immature.]

Windows Guru · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 01:41 AM

Are you serious?? Vista is the worst version of windows since ME

steelCity · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 02:36 AM

His laptop is a HP, thanks for the reply. I'll get him to check with HP about the possible downgrade/upgrade

**Thaylok** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 02:37 AM

< SARCASM > MS is the BEST THING SINCE THE DAWN OF MAN
LONG LIVE THE KING < /SARCASM>

Would those tags have helped?

But seriously, I know of several patches breaking device drivers in vista so far. MS's official stance is no "downgrade" option for less than business basic. Again, try upgrading the RAM. One test option, if you have it (and who doesn't)

Insert a nice large (1-4gb) flash drive (EMPTY), and use the RAM-BOOST option. You can assign some of the flash memory to act as the page file on the fly. The max ram is still 4gig this way, and it will not use the full amount in the flash drive. But it has helped one friends laptop till he bought more RAM.

But as MS Goes, XP is a good OS. It is solid in many ways. Many things are easier in XP Pro, if you must buy an OS, go Pro!. you will find diagnosis easier when there is trouble.

**Ash** · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 08:05 AM

I would suggest giving HP a try - they may swap the copy of Vista. Otherwise, you will have to acquire a copy of XP [of course by purchasing it, not by downloading a torrent from somewhere like The Pirate Bay]

DB6150 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ash

I would suggest giving HP a try - they may swap the copy of Vista. Otherwise, you will have to acquire a copy of XP [of course by purchasing it, not by downloading a torrent from somewhere like The Pirate Bay]

isint that illegal ..... ah .. yes it is....
________________________
This user added the following:
________________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Computer

Are you serious?? Vista is the worst version of windows since ME

i like vista .... i dotn know why you people say all the **** about it.... i mean come on.... if you have a good processor and 2-4gb ram not some ****ty pentium or 1gb ram and interogated graphics ... then you cannot say a damn thing about the os as you cannot run it succesfully

Atticus_Finch · #12 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 01:46 AM

sorry im just saying i like vista ive had very few probs and really i think its a great os. really im just gettin tired of all these threads titled "Dont like vista need help switchin to xp" They just have old sh*tty computers (or new sh*tty computers) who think that a new os will have the same cpu usage as an os thats 6 year old. And these compatibility probs are from old hardware where the company hasnt made new drivers for them. Just think of all the new features vista comes with.

tackster · #13 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 06:19 AM

I got 3 gig of ddr2 ram in a amd 4400 (2.3 gig) dual core, and it feels slower then my old amd 3500 wirh 1 gig ddr1!

i uninstalled vista of a second HD yesterday, 8 gigs in system files....crikies!

Atticus_Finch · #14 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tackster

I got 3 gig of ddr2 ram in a amd 4400 (2.3 gig) dual core, and it feels slower then my old amd 3500 wirh 1 gig ddr1!

i uninstalled vista of a second HD yesterday, 8 gigs in system files....crikies!

thats weird, i have 2 gigs and a pent 4 3.4 ghz and it runs great

TechOrange · #15 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 10:24 AM

Problems with Vista have less to do with the operating system and more to do with hardware manufacturers unwillingness to get with the program and write proper drivers for their stuff. They were given ample opportunity to do this before Vista launch. Also I have noticed many laptops loaded with Vista for sale with 512 of RAM, (bare min for Vista Basic) again, not Vista's fault.

I have been running Vista since before it launched (in Beta) and the only problems I have ever had was finding drivers. MS recognized this was going to be a problem that is why they have Upgrade Advisor on their website. You run the utility on your XP machine and it tells you if you can upgrade to Vista, which version and gives you the skinny on ANY hardware or software problems you will run into.

I love my Vista, because I prepared my machine to run Vista, those who don't will have nothing but problems.

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