Upgrading your new laptop from Vista to XP

Step 2 Step Two DRIVERS.

The main hurdle in installing XP on a Vista ready system are the system drivers. Drivers tell the operating system how to use the hardware in your system. If your are not familiar with drivers, you may want to get a computer savvy friend to help with this install.

There are drivers on the internet for almost all hardware for Windows XP, its just a matter of finding the right ones.

Before popping the Windows XP CD in the drive and installing, you will want to go to the device manager and write down all the names and model numbers for your hardware.
Be specific.. Make sure to record Hard drive controller(SATA), Video, Sound, USB, Network, Wireless and any devices that may be specific to your system.

Comments

[MisterHankie]

I have a lot of stuff on my laptop such as my mike, camera, etc. Will I still be able to use them if i switch to an xp?

[omitzu]

What do I do if there is no particular driver available for windows xp for a component of my laptop? For instance, Acer Bio-Protection, Acer Launch Manager, Agere Modem Driver, Bison Camera Application are available in VISTA only. Where do I get them for Windows XP? What if they don't have their own website? What if they're an ACER driver/application, like the Launch Manager? What about the other drivers only listed available for Vista? And what about situations like, Atheros Wireless Lan Driver is for Vista, Atheros WLAN Driver is for XP. Are these the same drivers just for different OS's or are both required on an XP system? What is the sequence in which in which I need to install each driver. Do I need any preloaded software to run any of the drivers / componants, and if so, are they available for XP?

[VIPER2475]

Wow man so many questions. You need to find a tech savy friend to help you most likely. Many manufactures will NOT help you with XP driver support for VISTA machines. AKA We are giving you a VISTA machine with VISTA drivers thats it. You only NEED the Drivers for your Hardware, special software is OPTIONAL. Things like Launch manager and Bio protection, are most likely not drivers. If you have a worthless finger print reader Do Not Use it it can be bypassed with a couple keystrokes anyway. Yes Wireless LAN and WLAN are the same thing. And theres no exact order. If you have a Chip set Driver that should be installed first. Drivers only tell Windows how to use your hardware devices. I hope this helps you, remember the internet and techy friends can be a great resource. And If you get fed up with everything theres always your friendly local computer store, many of witch will install XP on you laptop for under $100.

[DannyboyINXS]

fiy, you don't have to check all the names of the hardware in device manager prior to reformatting, you can also do this after you reformat your laptop, just go into my computer properties in windows xp and click on hardware>device manager or if you have trouble doing this, just do it like this guy said nice instructable, i just had to confirm what needed to be done, since i really hate vista's system requirements, nothing much can be said about xp's performance apart than the fact that it sure beats vista's hahaha it also gets on your nerves since it makes a sound for almost every action you make, what a waste of memory/video memory!