What is the process to downgrade to XP Pro?

[TechGuy71]

Hey all. I have a customer in need of a new laptop, but in their case they have to use XP Pro still. Their "new" specs say they can use Vista, but all of their other systems are XP Pro... and I found out the hard way last go-round they have to be 32-bit.

Anyway, I can't seem to find anything, anywhere with XP Pro 32-bit in a decent 15.6-16" laptop. And most of the ones I find that do say they have both are either 64-bit or some 13" screen thing. You can't downgrade from Win 7 Pro 64 to Win XP Pro 32.. right? I am guessing the only options are to either get a Windows 7 Pro laptop and use the downgrade, or to try to find one that has XP drivers available and just buy an XP Pro CD.

Apparently, any Win 7 Pro or Ultimate computer can be downgraded to XP, but how? I can't find too much info on it... but the little I have found pretty much says you have to already have a Win XP Pro CD and a product key, and then when it wont activate you have to call M$ to beg them for a different one. Really??

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Ccomp5950]

You have to use an already working CD key for xp pro to get through the activation. You will be asked to call up and after typing in the 54 digit "installation ID" it will transfer you to an agent where you explain you want to use your downgrade rights. They will give you a key to use and go from there.

It's a big pain in the 4th point of contact.

 

[TechGuy71]

You have to use an already working CD key for xp pro to get through the activation. You will be asked to call up and after typing in the 54 digit "installation ID" it will transfer you to an agent where you explain you want to use your downgrade rights. They will give you a key to use and go from there.

It's a big pain in the 4th point of contact.

Well I suppose I could get a product key from the customer, from one of their other computers, to use. Is it a fairly fool proof procedure? Meaning it always works when you call? What about drivers? I would assume that not all of these laptops that come with Win 7 have drivers available for XP...

 

[Ccomp5950]

drivers is on you. You can probably ask whoever you are ordering the computer through if it has drivers for xp.

As for foolproof? no not really. I said it was a pain in the butt and I'm serious. Perhaps when you go to activate it, it will actually just go through. At that point I throw my hands in the air, but as long as you have a valid 7 Pro COA then it shouldn't matter if you get inspected.

 

[TechGuy71]

drivers is on you. You can probably ask whoever you are ordering the computer through if it has drivers for xp.

As for foolproof? no not really. I said it was a pain in the butt and I'm serious. Perhaps when you go to activate it, it will actually just go through. At that point I throw my hands in the air, but as long as you have a valid 7 Pro COA then it shouldn't matter if you get inspected.

Thanks! One last question... does it matter if the laptop I order has the 32 or 64 bit version of Win 7 if I want to downgrade to XP 32-bit? Is it only valid if you go 32 to 32 and 64 to 64?

 

[Ccomp5950]

I don't know, the few times I've done it I stuck with 32bit when I'm going to downgrade.

 

[ljtechservices]

Is it a dell?
if so it's really easy.
just pop in a Dell xp disk.
note, you may have to slipstream the drivers.

 

[TechGuy71]

Is it a dell?
if so it's really easy.
just pop in a Dell xp disk.
note, you may have to slipstream the drivers.

It isn't anything yet. I'm trying to do my homework before I buy. I just need to make sure it's a nice laptop that I can get XP Pro 32-bit on one way or another.

 

[vdub12]

Windows XP is no longer being sold on anything. Unless you buy a used notebook you have to use Windows 7. However if you buy something with Windows 7 pro then you can use your downgrade rights to install Windows XP.

BTW, it doesn't mater if Windows 7 is 32 or 64 bit. However, XP will not see more then 4Gb of ram so if the notebook has more then 4Gb is will not address it. It will still work but only see 4Gb. Drivers are totally on you. there might be problems there because manufacturers don't bother with XP drivers any more. You might just consider getting a used notebook that's in good shape that already has XP.

 

[ljtechservices]

It isn't anything yet. I'm trying to do my homework before I buy. I just need to make sure it's a nice laptop that I can get XP Pro 32-bit on one way or another.

understood.
I'm pointing out that many of the MFGR system restore disks don't require a key if installing on their HW.
dell's disks are nice because there's no crapware on them.

If the OS you purchase has downgrade rights you wouldn't have to worry about an XP Key

 

[mraikes]

......... clipped stuff........... Drivers are totally on you. there might be problems there because manufacturers don't bother with XP drivers any more. You might just consider getting a used notebook that's in good shape that already has XP.

The lack of XP drivers can be a real issue. A recent customer wanted XP pro installed on a new laptop that had Win 7 home or some such on it. She bought XP Pro and had me install it from scratch (not a "downgrade"). Overall it went fine, but I was never able to find XP compatible sound drivers. Eventually had to go with a USB sound device that was XP compatible.