Windows Vista forum: Installing Windows XP over Windows Vista

Microsoft does not support 'downgrading' an operating system, so you will have to erase your hard drive, or at least that partition, before you can install Windows XP on it. The 'hard drive not found' issue adds an interesting twist (I'd blame the Gateway OEM recovery system's design for not being able to handle this situation) but it should be taken care of relatively easily. First, backup all files, favorites, etc. that you want to keep. Second, use DBAN to wipe your hard drive clean. (This will permenantly delete all files on the hard drive, so verify your backups before proceeding.) Once the drive has been erased then try installing Windows XP again from scratch.

Hope this helps,
John

If your computer is going straight to Windows and never giving you the option of booting from CD you may need to access your system BIOS and edit the boot order such that the CD/DVD drive is of the highest priority, while your hard drive is second. Just keep in mind that you can't simply 'downgrade,' so you'll be wiping everything, including any personal files, and starting fresh.

John

As described in other locations of this thread, you may need SATA drivers to get it to install correctly.. But then again, it wasn't necessary when I recently "downgraded" on an XP machine. You haven't describe which brand name you're dealing with PLUS the key to all of this is finding the correct hardware drivers for XP, but the link below should help you get the job done. Without the correct drivers, then machine won't work correctly. It's not really a processes for the faint at heart.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?forumID=133&threadID=243153&messageID=2461470#2461470

Hope this helps.

Grif

You are posting a reply to: to install XP over Vista on Dell vostro 1700
by Archer_a - 12/19/07 9:19 AM

I could not install XP on the laptop that had Vista pre installed it kept telling me it could not find the hard drive.
I changed the Bios setting for SATA operation from AHCI to ATA and this allowed me to install XP.

_______________


This reply allowed me to install Windows XP and the Windows Vista is gone lol

Thanks a lot for the helpful reply.

Cheers.

I've the same Toshiba satellite L510. i'm getting the support for SATA and to desable it too.. try upgrading ur BIOS..

how can i find this option and what is this plzz urgentt

I was able to install Windows XP SP2 32-bit over pre-installed Windows Vista on my HP Compaq 8510p laptop by making a change in the BIOS.

After entering the BIOS, I selected SYSTEM CONFIGURATION; then DEVICE CONFIGURATION; then changed SATA NATIVE MODE from Enable to DISABLE. I placed my XP CD in the drive, rebooted my laptop, pressed any key to boot from the CD, and voila, the hard drive was recognized and I was able to make the necessary selections to begin installing XP SP2.

my customers don't always make my task easy. in this particular instance, i couldn't use the vista cd because my customer didn't supply the vista cd.

They often tell you how as shown at http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7587_102-0.html?threadID=271360#2699006

This machine has SATA so XP installs to SATA drives are now well discussed.

More at http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/321957-321957-64295-321838-89315-3764998.html

Bob

Immediately after starting the computer, generally after the brand name flash screen loads, press the appropriate F key for your manufacturer and model number.. The appropriate key can be F1, F2, F10, Delete, Esc, or a combination of keys. Sometimes, the appropriate "Setup" key is listed on the black post screen during startup. Since you've not told us which computer brand or model, that's the best I can do.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I have a Dell Inspiron 530 that came with Vista installed from the factory last year. I am wanting to dump Vista and re-load using Win Xp. After reading various post, it looks as if there are issues with some Dell motherboards not wanting to allow this. Is this true, and if so, are there any ways around this.

Thanks,

John

Gateway MT6452 Notebook---- S/n t027231001049

I have been trying to install xp onto my vista laptop since vista crashed, I wiped the hd(hitachi) put in my xp cd and it got all the way to where in the bottom left side of the screen it says "setup is starting windows" ( blue normal background for xp installs)
Then it just sits there and sits there. I have been working on this for a week now, any hel would be appreciated =)

I have laptop l40-17r and i i dont know what to change in my bios.if you know tell me what to do.sorry for the bed english.

Thanks for your posting I was able to install XP over Vista. The steps I went through:
1) Powered up computer and immediately press F2 to enter BIOS
2) Changed boot sequence to have "Boot from CD-rom" on top of the list
3) Changed the Flash Cache Mode to "Off"
4) Changed Sata Operation from AHCI (default) to ATA
5) Save the setting and exit bios

Now the system should boot from Windows XP CD. After finish installing XP, went back to re-enable to Flash Cache Mode back to "enabled" or "on" (forgot the exact word).

all i want to do is dump vista and put xp in its place and then never c vista again. can i do that with out doing ahole bunch of crap. im prety good at the pc. i no how to install programs and o/s , i put the xp disk in and it tell me it done c the drive , just like it said on th other guys pc, i read what u said to do , it didnt work so AGAIN i just want to get vist off my laptop and put xp in its place and never c vista again. please help