Downgrading a New Laptop to XP

star1_2

Blimly - Looks like i've started somthing here !!

Just to clarify .... my intentions are strictly honorable (no illegal copying etc)....

I want to get a new laptop, I can either get one with Vista Home premium on, or get a different spec with XP Pro on (but I prefer the spec of the Vista one) .... I don't want the Vista OS, as a number of apps I need to use, don't run on Vista Relyably (colleagues have tried these and have proven the point, there are currently no vista versions of these apps - released), I also don't like Vista, and would rather wait until Windows 7 is fully launched etc .... before moving to another OS ....

I know that it might cause some debate, but I view Vista, a little like ME, it's a "stopgap" between OS versions .... anyway ....

I have an existing machine with XP Pro on it (OEM), and the official licence sticker to prove it ! my intention would be to put Lynx/Otibinu (Spelt wrong!!) on it (as I fancy playing around and getting to find out whats good/bad with it), this will mean that I have my XP licence availaible, hence my origional question/enquiry - if I can "move" it to the new Vista machine? and effectivly disguard the Vista OS?

I gather that because the XP licence was OEM, it's probably going to be "defunct" and "unmovable"!

Hope that helps explain things from my prospective !!

:cool:

amcluesent

>I don't want the Vista OS, as a number of apps I need to use, don't run on Vista Relyably<

Have they tried setting Compatability Mode to XP SP2?

>I gather that because the XP licence was OEM, it's probably going to be "defunct" and "unmovable"!<

Well the legal point of view is that you can't transfer an OEM license.

The practical issue is that OEM licenses are linked to the manufacturers information in the BIOS and so probably will only transfer Dell to Dell, HP to HP etc.

You could sail close to the wind and call Microsoft's licensing service with the story that you've changed the mobo and need another validation key.

star1_2

Unfortunatly the compatability mode on Vista does'nt work with a couple of the apps. Aside from that - I also - don't personally like Vista!

I think it's going to be easier to purchase a new XP licence (while I still can!) for the laptop, rather than the transfer hassle. And for the exisitng machine (so I can revert back to XP if I need to) - leave the existing OEM licence on the machine I have and partition the drive to support Lynux too .... or install a second physical drive.

Thanks for everyones thoughts ....

Oblivion

star1 wrote: »

I think it's going to be easier to purchase a new XP licence (while I still can!) for the laptop, rather than the transfer hassle.

THIS RETAILER still seems to have plenty of XP variations in stock.

Dave.

Paul_VW

you can normally find (legal) versions of windows xp for about £20-£30 on ebay.

I use Ubuntu now and its much nicer not having worry about all that cobblers.

gjchester

star1 wrote: »

I want to get a new laptop, I can either get one with Vista Home premium on, or get a different spec with XP Pro on (but I prefer the spec of the Vista one)

Can you pay extra and get Vista Ultimate? That has the rights to downgrade it to XP if you wish. I know it sounds daft to pay more to then not use it, but it gives you a XP licence, and when your ready to use Vista it will be there.

You could also consider using VMWare to create a virtual machine and run your non Vista Compatable apps in that enviroment, although again you'll hit the problem that you need a licenced copy of XP to use within that virtual machine.