Downgrading?

thrillriderdan · 05-12-2007, 07:23 AM

Just as a quesion of interest. Is it possible to downgrade your version of windows, and if so how do you do it?

For example could I downgrade windows XP to Windows 95?

**mattlock** · 05-12-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrillriderdan

Just as a quesion of interest. Is it possible to downgrade your version of windows, and if so how do you do it?

For example could I downgrade windows XP to Windows 95?

Sure you can. You have to completely wipe your hard drive and Reformat it and then you can install what ever version of Windows you want. You'll want to format to Fat32 not NTSF for anything other than XP,2000, or NT.
To wipe the drive you can either use the formatting tool from the HD manufacturer, Dban Boot-N-Nuke, or a custom Windows 98 bootdisk.

Custom Bootdisk

Boot N Nuke

Post back with any other questions or concerns.

Matt

thrillriderdan · 05-13-2007, 04:47 AM

So when I wipe the hard drive, I need to find a CD-ROM of Windows?

**mattlock** · 05-13-2007, 07:11 AM

Yes that is correct. My I ask why you want to revert from XP to an older OS?

If the system originally had an older OS and came with recovery CDs you might be able to use those to revert to the original factory settings. This would depend on if the recovery was on hidden partition on the hard drive or actually on the CDs.

thrillriderdan · 05-13-2007, 07:15 AM

I am doing a project at School to archive the whole place before it is rebuilt. I was going to downgrade a Windows 98 to 95 or 3.1 for future generations of the shcool to see. I just wasn't to confindent on how to do it.

Also is it possible to upgrade the computer afterwards?

**mattlock** · 05-13-2007, 07:34 AM

Very Cool!

A simple reformat is all that's required to go from 98 to 95, as they both run on FAT32 or FAT16. As for 3.1 I don't have any experience with that OS so I can't really give you any 1st hand advice, but I'm sure I can get you of the other Techs here to help you out with that one.

Just seen your Edit, yes you can upgrade afterwards.

Matt

thrillriderdan · 05-13-2007, 07:37 AM

3.1 is quite similar to 95 as I remember but I don't think I could get my hands on it anymore, unless anyone else has any ideas to where I might get the OS?

Also is it possible to install Apple on a Windows computer?

**mattlock** · 05-13-2007, 07:42 AM

You might find it on Ebay.

One other thing to think about before you start this project, is drivers. You could have a hard time finding drivers for 95 and especailly 3.1.

If you want to take the PC back to it's current state afterwards you might want to use some kind of backup utility such as Ghost or Acronis. I use Acronis and find it very fast and reliable.

thrillriderdan · 05-13-2007, 07:44 AM

I don't think I will need too it is just in case. I mean they're going to throw out loads of 98 computers so I might as well keep three and put a different OS on each of them.

Also could I install an apple OS on the computers?

**mattlock** · 05-13-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrillriderdan

I don't think I will need too it is just in case. I mean they're going to throw out loads of 98 computers so I might as well keep three and put a different OS on each of them.

Also could I install an apple OS on the computers?

Right on, keep a few and have a blast.

As for the Apple OS I don't think you can, but I could be wrong, so I'll defer to another tech on that question.

I've another tech to address the Apple question.

**mattlock** · 05-13-2007, 08:14 AM

Here you go Dan http://www.emulators.com/ You can allows you to run Mac and Atari OS on windows machines, and you can get a free copy of OS 8

**Deleted090308** · 05-13-2007, 08:15 AM

Hi,
It's possible to run Mac OS on "ordinary" PCs, but AFAIK you will have to modify/hack the OS before you can install it (and I'm not sure that's legal). This applies to Mac OS X, which I doubt will run on an old PC. So the answer must be NO.
When it comes to Windows 95 I think, if my memory serves me correctly, that the first version will only run on a FAT (not FAT32) system.

Nicholas

**edit** Thanks Matt. I didn't think of emulators - much easier. Good find

thrillriderdan · 05-13-2007, 08:56 AM

Thanks. This has been very useful!

So if it turned out I could only use one computer could I make a seperate partion on the computer and put all of them on?

**Bartender** · 05-14-2007, 07:35 AM

The school is dumping several Win98 PC's? And you can have some for free? What sort of specs?
Anything newer than roughly 500MHz and at least 512 RAM (maybe pirate RAM from some boxes to feed others) would run Linux nicely...

05-12-2007, 07:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
thrillriderdan Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: England Posts: 63 OS: Windows 95, Windows 98 SE,Windows Vista	Downgrading? Just as a quesion of interest. Is it possible to downgrade your version of windows, and if so how do you do it? For example could I downgrade windows XP to Windows 95?

05-13-2007, 04:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
thrillriderdan Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: England Posts: 63 OS: Windows 95, Windows 98 SE,Windows Vista	Re: Downgrading? So when I wipe the hard drive, I need to find a CD-ROM of Windows?

05-13-2007, 07:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Downgrading? Yes that is correct. My I ask why you want to revert from XP to an older OS? If the system originally had an older OS and came with recovery CDs you might be able to use those to revert to the original factory settings. This would depend on if the recovery was on hidden partition on the hard drive or actually on the CDs. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

05-13-2007, 07:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
thrillriderdan Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: England Posts: 63 OS: Windows 95, Windows 98 SE,Windows Vista	Re: Downgrading? I am doing a project at School to archive the whole place before it is rebuilt. I was going to downgrade a Windows 98 to 95 or 3.1 for future generations of the shcool to see. I just wasn't to confindent on how to do it. Also is it possible to upgrade the computer afterwards? Last edited by thrillriderdan; 05-13-2007 at 07:21 AM.

05-13-2007, 07:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Downgrading? Very Cool! A simple reformat is all that's required to go from 98 to 95, as they both run on FAT32 or FAT16. As for 3.1 I don't have any experience with that OS so I can't really give you any 1st hand advice, but I'm sure I can get you of the other Techs here to help you out with that one. Just seen your Edit, yes you can upgrade afterwards. Matt __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free! Last edited by mattlock; 05-13-2007 at 07:36 AM.

05-13-2007, 07:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
thrillriderdan Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: England Posts: 63 OS: Windows 95, Windows 98 SE,Windows Vista	Re: Downgrading? 3.1 is quite similar to 95 as I remember but I don't think I could get my hands on it anymore, unless anyone else has any ideas to where I might get the OS? Also is it possible to install Apple on a Windows computer? Last edited by thrillriderdan; 05-13-2007 at 07:41 AM.

05-13-2007, 07:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Downgrading? You might find it on Ebay. One other thing to think about before you start this project, is drivers. You could have a hard time finding drivers for 95 and especailly 3.1. If you want to take the PC back to it's current state afterwards you might want to use some kind of backup utility such as Ghost or Acronis. I use Acronis and find it very fast and reliable. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

05-13-2007, 07:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
thrillriderdan Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: England Posts: 63 OS: Windows 95, Windows 98 SE,Windows Vista	Re: Downgrading? I don't think I will need too it is just in case. I mean they're going to throw out loads of 98 computers so I might as well keep three and put a different OS on each of them. Also could I install an apple OS on the computers?

05-13-2007, 08:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Downgrading? Here you go Dan http://www.emulators.com/ You can allows you to run Mac and Atari OS on windows machines, and you can get a free copy of OS 8 __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

05-13-2007, 08:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Downgrading? Hi, It's possible to run Mac OS on "ordinary" PCs, but AFAIK you will have to modify/hack the OS before you can install it (and I'm not sure that's legal). This applies to Mac OS X, which I doubt will run on an old PC. So the answer must be NO. When it comes to Windows 95 I think, if my memory serves me correctly, that the first version will only run on a FAT (not FAT32) system. Nicholas edit Thanks Matt. I didn't think of emulators - much easier. Good find Last edited by Deleted090308; 05-13-2007 at 08:24 AM.

05-13-2007, 08:56 AM	#13 (permalink)
thrillriderdan Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: England Posts: 63 OS: Windows 95, Windows 98 SE,Windows Vista	Re: Downgrading? Thanks. This has been very useful! So if it turned out I could only use one computer could I make a seperate partion on the computer and put all of them on? Last edited by thrillriderdan; 05-13-2007 at 09:15 AM.

05-14-2007, 07:35 AM	#14 (permalink)
Bartender Mentally divergent Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chehalis, WA, USA Posts: 1,285 OS: W2K, Ubuntu 8.04	Re: Downgrading? The school is dumping several Win98 PC's? And you can have some for free? What sort of specs? Anything newer than roughly 500MHz and at least 512 RAM (maybe pirate RAM from some boxes to feed others) would run Linux nicely...