Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - I want to downgrade from Vista to XP Home

**l_b_rex** · 03-31-2008, 08:38 AM

1. Turn on Pc and insert Full version of XP Home cd
2. turn off computer
3. Turn PC back on and enter BIOS
4. Select "Boot" tab
5. Select "Boot Device Priority"
6. Change "Boot Device 1" to "cdrom Group"
7. Press F10 to save and exit
-> The windows XP cd will load.
8. Select Full Installation and it will walk you through the install. At one point it will ask about creating partitions. Seeing as you are not familiar with this I recommend leaving the partitions as they show and just continue.

Notes: Make sure you can find the drivers on Dell website because some will not be built in to the cd, such as Network Adapter, chipset, video and audio. These are the ones that are usually missing for a normal desktop PC that doesn't have wireless internet built in.

Don't worry about making a "paper weight". There is no way to screw up to that point. It will either boot to xp after or it won't. This can be done and should not be difficult at all, however there is always a possibility that your PC configuration may require more steps. For example, with my PC I have to install raid drivers off a floppy disk before my xp cd will allow me to complete the xp install. This is rare but possible.

I recommend trying it on your own and if it doesn't work come back and we can try to help. Or just pay to have it done for you.

The most important things are to make sure you can find xp drivers for you parts. If you can't find them than DO NOT install xp. The internet will not work and that is what you will likely want the most.
Good luck and cheers!

03-31-2008, 08:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
l_b_rex The almighty Dr.Tran! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,123 OS: Vista Home Premium 32 bit	Re: I want to downgrade from Vista to XP Home 1. Turn on Pc and insert Full version of XP Home cd 2. turn off computer 3. Turn PC back on and enter BIOS 4. Select "Boot" tab 5. Select "Boot Device Priority" 6. Change "Boot Device 1" to "cdrom Group" 7. Press F10 to save and exit -> The windows XP cd will load. 8. Select Full Installation and it will walk you through the install. At one point it will ask about creating partitions. Seeing as you are not familiar with this I recommend leaving the partitions as they show and just continue. Notes: Make sure you can find the drivers on Dell website because some will not be built in to the cd, such as Network Adapter, chipset, video and audio. These are the ones that are usually missing for a normal desktop PC that doesn't have wireless internet built in. Don't worry about making a "paper weight". There is no way to screw up to that point. It will either boot to xp after or it won't. This can be done and should not be difficult at all, however there is always a possibility that your PC configuration may require more steps. For example, with my PC I have to install raid drivers off a floppy disk before my xp cd will allow me to complete the xp install. This is rare but possible. I recommend trying it on your own and if it doesn't work come back and we can try to help. Or just pay to have it done for you. The most important things are to make sure you can find xp drivers for you parts. If you can't find them than DO NOT install xp. The internet will not work and that is what you will likely want the most. Good luck and cheers!