| Nov 11, 2007 @ 5:08 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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SunBabe
Posts: 11,767
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I've been wanting a newr model laptop for a long time, but now they only come with Vista, which I DON'T want (mainly because of the incompatibility issues with printers, cameras and other peripherals that I can't afford to replace)
Technical question:
If I get a computer with a Vista OS, can I buy Windows XP and completely replace the Vista without problems? 
(PS...never fool around with networking wizards if you don't know what you're doing.  LOL, you may lose your entire connection to the internet for a day or two until you remember that trick about disconnecting the modem and router for 60-90 seconds to reset your codes or whatever they are  )
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| Nov 11, 2007 @ 5:56 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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Laidback742
Posts: 2,491
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In the office at work, we got a new Dell about 6 months ago, and requested they load XP on it instead of Vista .... which they did .... never hurts to ask.
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| Nov 11, 2007 @ 6:45 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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SunBabe
Posts: 11,767
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 Do you think TigerDirect would do that? I'm not in the position to go to a reputable -- I mean "traditional", lol -- source.
~grin~ Instead of banging my head against the wall, I just might take up that suggestion: I'll ASK (hehehe ~duh~  )
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| Nov 11, 2007 @ 7:02 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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ToucherinSparks
Posts: 6,618
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Barbie, you can uninstall Vista and install a full copy of XP, but most outfits like Dell will do an OEM if you ask.
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| Nov 11, 2007 @ 10:32 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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sealacamp
Posts: 2,795
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Buy a bare bones machine and finish it yourself. Then install what ever you want on it.
S
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| Nov 12, 2007 @ 12:27 AM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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chatillion
Posts: 171
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Do you think TigerDirect would do that?
I just checked the TigerDirect website. It appears that many new laptops are still available with licensed versions of XP and many re-furbished units also have XP installed. Unless you need something more 'cutting edge' chances are Vista will be on all the newer models.
A friend told me (unconfirmed information) one laptop manufacturer had so many Vista complaints they were shipping out 'downgrade' versions of XP to those who were asking.
Be aware, many laptops need special versions of windows to operate specialized hardware (BIOS) within the computer... unique to the manufacturer. Buying a licensed version of XP for new installations may not work correctly on a laptop if you don't have the manufacturers patches... or 'their' version of Windows.
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| Nov 12, 2007 @ 7:36 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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sealacamp
Posts: 2,795
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That is true Chatillion. That is why you format the hard drive first then the drive is clean and you could put a liscensed version of windows 95 on there and it will work just fine. Hardware is hardware no matter who makes it. Only software surprises make any difference and you can clean those out if you know how. In fact they should be cleaned out so that there won't be any surprises. But all of that is greatly simplified by buying a blank machine or making your own then you can do what ever you want to with it as long as you can find the software you want to load on it.
S
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| Nov 14, 2007 @ 2:45 AM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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SunBabe
Posts: 11,767
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I have no problem with the prospect of building a desktop PC (customized) from scratch...that's a piece of cake, as long as one has patience and can read directions, but a PC is not what I'm looking for. I'd like a 'cutting edge' LAPTOP, pre-made, for a "budget price" (around $700 or so, complete). Places like TigerDirect have some great offers, but the best ones with all the bells and whistles all have Vista, unfortunately.
I'm still going to call them. I just haven't had the time. (the XP & refurbished ones listed aren't any better than the broken one/s I have) -- If I'm putting money into a computer, I'd prefer to upgrade rather than fix something that doesn't quite meet my needs. But I just don't feel Vista is an "upgrade"...at least not for me.
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| Nov 14, 2007 @ 12:28 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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sealacamp
Posts: 2,795
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Building a laptop is the same procedure as a desktop. The components are of a different configuration but are assembled the same way. However the choice is yours and yours alone.
If you want to look into parts or kits you can try newegg if you don't already have a source for such hardware.
S
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| Nov 15, 2007 @ 4:21 AM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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SensualGemini
Posts: 3,052
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Sunny, you can format any hard drive back to clean and install whatever you want.
But and this is what I would do... you partition the hard drive that has Vista on it by choosing NTSF and then load XP, go to the BIOS and choose which OS you want to boot.
Eventually, like Win95 and 98, XP is not going to be supported by MS and you will be able to download all the updates that will by then, make Vista stable.
Here are the basics...
Dual boot Vista and XP
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| Nov 20, 2007 @ 4:34 AM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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SunBabe
Posts: 11,767
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SG, now THAT looks like what I wanted to know, lol. I'm not in the mood to build a computer. I have a kitchen to concentrate creating instead, procratinating pragmatic person that I am ~grin~
(Thanks LB for your offer, too  )
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| Nov 20, 2007 @ 8:36 AM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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sealacamp
Posts: 2,795
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If you create a partition on a currently operating computer you will lose your data including the OS. If you want to do that and not have to reload everything you need a program like partition magic. That will allow you to create a partition and not lose anything at all.
S
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| Nov 26, 2007 @ 3:08 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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waterfire
Posts: 2,584
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First off:
1. Almost all laptops come with just one partition and you can shrink this to what ever size you want without losing any information. Keep in mind it can not be smaller that what the OS uses. I shrank mine within Vista to 45 gigs from 160 gigs….no problems
2. You do not go to BIOS to choose which partition to boot off of (that is for which hard drive to boot from) , if you have more than one OS installed, a boot menu appears with choices.
Sunbabe, I just bought a new HP laptop on sale within your price range, it is fast stable a and can even play the games I enjoy. You can watch for sales at Circuit City, Best Buy and Office Depot, when one you like goes on sale grab it.
As far as XP, yes it can be installed, the only thing that is important is to find all the drivers you need before you begin the installation and that can be a bear since a most manufactures will not release drivers* for a Vista model. One caveat is that most current (if not all) laptops have sata drives and unless the laptop’s BIOS support Sata IDE mode then XP will not see you hard drive so you will either have to buy an external USB 3.5 drive (less than $30) or read up on Slipstreaming drivers.
So yes I did install XP but decided I liked shinny so imaged the drive (Acronis True Image) in case I ever needed to go back then restored Vista
Side note….Man took me hours to uninstall all the garbage this thing came installed with. Hell I had 55 processes on boot and trimmed that down to 33 which is about as low as you can get. Much quicker system when you weed out the unnecessary and tweak Vista a bit.
*these manufactures (HP for example) have similar models they sell with XP installed so it is not impossible to find the drivers you will need…I did.
ps...yell if you need anything.
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| Nov 26, 2007 @ 3:45 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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_CQ_
Posts: 85
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Windows XP/Vista - can we make a choice?
Yes, we can make a choice.
My choice is neither.
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| Nov 26, 2007 @ 3:57 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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_CQ_
Posts: 85
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Quote: sealacamp
Building a laptop is the same procedure as a desktop. The components are of a different configuration but are assembled the same way. However the choice is yours and yours alone.
What part of she is not interested in building a laptop do you not understand?
She is well aware of what her choices are.
Sealacamp, learn to re-read a persons' post until you understand what they are saying.
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| Nov 26, 2007 @ 7:28 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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sealacamp
Posts: 2,795
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She also said building a desktop is easy and building a laptop is hard and that is her reason for not wanting to do it. What part of that can't you read? I merely point out that it is not a big deal and if you can do a desktop then doing a laptop is not any more difficult. Perhaps you should read all of what is posted instead of picking out the parts you want to hang on to CQ.
I have no problem with the prospect of building a desktop PC (customized) from scratch...that's a piece of cake, as long as one has patience and can read directions, but a PC is not what I'm looking for.
WF I have not done it but I was told that when you create a new partition you could lose your data. That is what a program like partition magic was made for. Was this information I received incorrect?
S
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| Nov 26, 2007 @ 8:22 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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SunBabe
Posts: 11,767
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Perhaps YOU should read what I said again, Seal! It's in plain English. You even quoted what I said.  It's not "what part of THAT can't YOU read?", but what you make up out of the blue, that ISN'T written, that gets you in trouble all the time.  Aiyeee! 
I NEVER said it was HARD. It's NOT -- I've dissected AND repaired and swapped out parts in my laptops numerous times over the years. BOTH messing with PC's and laptops takes patience and TIME, a little more patience and time with a laptop because of the fit...but it's not HARD. I don't FEEL like spending the time building something I can buy off the shelf.
I don't friggin' WANT to, that's all!! 
I can spin wool, weave fabric and sew. But I CHOOSE to buy my sweaters and coats these days.
I can develop film in a darkroom, but I CHOOSE to have WalMart or the drugstore do it for me.
I can reload bullets, but I CHOOSE to buy them premade.
I can make ice cream from scratch; can vegetables and fruit; reupholster and refinish furniture; silk screen T-shirts and Christmas cards; cast my own paving stones; handpaint and lay tile; weave baskets, shingle a roof, change the oil in my car, build a fence, skin a caribou, embroider and sequin gowns, repair zippers, turn a collar, needlepoint a rug, weld steel, rewire a lamp, bake and decorate wedding cakes....but just because I CAN, doesn't mean I WANT or HAVE to.
I could have bought a fully finished double-wide mobile home complete with a real kitchen, bathroom and everyday normal (albiet plastic) bells and whistles, but I CHOSE to buy an antique house and refurbish/remodel/customize it. THAT is what I CHOOSE to focus on, not building ANY kind of computer right now.
All I want is to buy any number of the ideal (for ME), reasonably priced laptops I've seen. I-just-DON'T-WANT-Vista.
Plain and simple.
Capisce? 
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| Nov 26, 2007 @ 10:47 PM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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waterfire
Posts: 2,584
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Seal
Yes you can shrink a partition, after the process has finished you can create a new partition with the unallocated space.
Sunbabe
Say what you mean
Again, if you can not buy a laptop with XP then no problem with installing XP on a new one after you find drivers.
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| Nov 27, 2007 @ 1:14 AM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice?
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SunBabe
Posts: 11,767
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 I just remembered that all my drivers for my peripherals are on my broken laptop(s)!
(Actually, Download.com and/or Driver.com had them all, as I recall, when I jumped from the laptop to this PC...I only installed one or two on this one, but I should really pick up the ones for my extra cameras and scanners and a couple of other toys. -- and yes, I could fix the semi-broken laptop, someday -- for a spare spare -- but the newer ones are way more cooler  , lol)
(Uh, oh  ...did I rant again? That happens when one doesn't have a kitchen...or an oven to bake Christmas cookies in. )
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| Nov 27, 2007 @ 7:18 AM |
Windows XP/Vista -- can we make a choice? |
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waterfire
Posts: 2,584
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Cool you can find drivers for you external devices but I was talking about the new laptop's system drivers, network controller, modem, display, etc. These can be a bear to find but not impossible.
* we all have our rant days
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