Install XP on vista.

[Aro]

I recently got fed up with vista and decided to install XP (Dual-boot first) to see how much better it is.

I've tried following various guides about installing it on vista, but whenever I try to open/install XP Vista just blocks it and doesn't allow me to continue.

Anyone have any tips? Also is there some sort of auto-compatibility checking device anyone knows of?

[Cephius]

Dual Booting XP and Vista guide should do the job. Just follow the steps.

What do you mean auto-compatibility? Like with programs or hardware?

[Aro]

Yeah I used that guide, as soon as I open XP cd it just says "This upgrade is not compatible" or something along those lines.

Hardware

[Cephius]

You can't open the XP CD from Windows, you have to boot with it, and then install it to a new partition as outlined by that guide.

As far as hardware compatibility, it shouldn't be a problem, especially if you're going to XP from Vista. Anything Vista certified should work fine in XP, just make sure you load the correct drivers for it.

[Aro]

ohhhh that's where I messed up

Thanks, how would i go about loading the drivers?

[Cephius]

Most of the hardware should load XP drivers automatically the first time you boot it up. For anything else, just go to the site of whatever manufacturer made the hardware. They should all have XP drivers available somewhere.

[Aro]

Thank you very much! Will try this soon and post back how it went.

[#686578]

If you're using a model of computer that's had XP discontinued you may have some problems finding drivers for it.

If you're using a newer model of computer then you may not have the appropriate drivers readily available. You'll have an especially hard time if your manufacturer (I'm guessing you didn't build it yourself, correct me if I'm wrong) has XP discontinued for your line of computer (if there was XP available for it at all at any point).

You may want to do the research to see:
-If your computer ever had XP available for it from the manufacturer
-Is it still available
-Download a driver package from them
If it's not still available, but was at one point in time, you could more than likely find the drivers you need on google just by searching [specific model] XP drivers.

If none of those are available to you, you may need to go to the individual manufacturers websites for your hardware to download drivers for them. But from what I hear when XP was discontinued by Microsoft all development and support were supposed to be discontinued as well.

[Aro]

You are correct, I did not build my Laptop. It is about a year old, came with Vista Ultimate pre-installed.

Toshiba Satellite A200-TH7

I will do the research, but once I do find the drivers will I install them after the Xp install?

[#686578]

Yeah, the XP disc should have enough to get you started but after that you're going to need more specific drivers.

[Aro]

K, thanks for the tips.


P.S Love that Sig XD

[Gippo]

Regarding your device drivers, use this utility

http://www.halfdone.com/Development/...14-20_Beta.zip

Its called UnknownDevices. I use it everyday we have to reload a machine with obscure drivers.

run it. Its not fullproof, but its always a good way to go, especially if you cant easily remove the case and examine the motherboard for drivers like "chipsets, sm bus, and pci device"

usually tells you the manufacturer and sometimes a model #.

I'm sure other ppl here know about this awesum freeware app.

Great utility