Can/should I install XP over Vista?

Prowl · 07-06-2009, 08:56 PM

Will it harm my Laptop in anyway?

Mechafire · 07-06-2009, 09:06 PM

Yes you can, and it probably won't.

Prowl · 07-06-2009, 09:07 PM

Thanks man, I am having SO many issues with Vista. From After Effects not working to this new copy of Neverwinter Nights having issues, to my Laptop's screensaver not working, and I have my old copy of XP, so I just wanted to see if it might cause issues.

Mechafire · 07-06-2009, 09:10 PM

Yeah, Vista... Let's just say... Well, it sucks, IMHO. I would either install XP or wait for W7.

Shin-Gouki · 07-06-2009, 09:16 PM

You will have install XP Fresh, there is no way to "Downgrade" to XP. I strongly recommend that you download all the needed XP Drivers first.

Smasher · 07-07-2009, 12:00 AM

WAIT!

There is no definitive "yes" here for any and all laptops.
You can format a partition and then dual-boot or you will have to format and install XP clean.

But some new laptops were made with Vista in mind and the XP drivers for certain devices may be very hard to find. In other words, XP won't just go out and find all the drivers you need.

Also, your retailer may have some way of handling the 'XP Upgrade' for you.
Believe it or not, it's part of the Vista license.

Your retailer might also have a free or discounted path to 7 when it's released (but probably not).

I think the best thing to do is download a trial of Microsoft's VirtualPC.
Then you can set up a guest XP OS on your laptop and if you have any trouble getting drivers or anything you can use the host OS to get them.

When the trial for VirtualPC expires you can download VMware Workstation and actually import your XP Virtual Machine into VMWare. When the trial for this expires you should be very close to the release of Windows 7.

If you haven't used 7 yet, it's the things you like about Vista without the things you don't.

JetRaid · 07-07-2009, 12:48 AM

Vista rules

Prowl · 07-07-2009, 08:17 AM

I'm going to wait, actually. I managed to get Neverwinter to work by shutting off Vista's damn User Control crap (the one that asks you for permission to turn the computer on when you press the on button). It solved quite a few problems, but I am still trying to figure out why my machine doesn't go into screen saver or power screen down, but I'm assuming it has something to do with the same crap. I googled the hell out of the problem, but all I find are others with the same issue, but no responses.

Smasher · 07-07-2009, 09:55 AM

Another thing is to right click an app and select 'run as administrator'.
You can also right click an app from the Start menu, go to properties and select the compatability mode to the OS that the app was originally written for.

Also, you should finish Mass Effect before you play Neverwinter Nights again.

Prowl · 07-07-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smasher

Another thing is to right click an app and select 'run as administrator'.
You can also right click an app from the Start menu, go to properties and select the compatability mode to the OS that the app was originally written for.

Also, you should finish Mass Effect before you play Neverwinter Nights again.

What you mean to say is I should finish Mass Effect, inFamous (on Evil), Ghostbusters, Dragon Quest Swords, Resistance: Retribution, and Barbie's Day on the Town, before I play NW again. I'm actually playing NW because a group of six of us are doing a custom campaign.

Hey Smash, any idea whatsoever why my screensaver doesn't come on, or my laptop go into sleep mode (all obvious solutions considered: like checking display settings or power settings on the machine).