I have Vista preinstalled on my laptop & want to change to XP. In SIMPLE easy language...how do I do it?

Im not a computer whizz and computer speak just baffles me, I just really need someone to tell me what software I need and how to get my computer to use XP and not Vista as I have found that Vista won't read files sent to me in emails etc as not compatible. Please help!I have Vista preinstalled on my laptop %26amp; want to change to XP. In SIMPLE easy language...how do I do it?
1. You are less likely to get infected using Vista than XP

2. Vista will have a longer product life than XP will.

3. You have to go through the bother of obtaining an XP product key, and cancelling the Vista one.

4. Do you have any specific reason to do this? i.e. are you running a piticular program incompatible with Vista?



I seriously doubt that your files are not compatible. Are they zipped? WinRARed? Corrupt? Could be a thousand reasons....



You see where I'm coming from.....I have Vista preinstalled on my laptop %26amp; want to change to XP. In SIMPLE easy language...how do I do it?
Take a look here.
Firstly I doubt it is the operating system that is the reason you cannot open files sent to you by email, probably they are in a program format which you don't currently have. Vista is a brilliant operating system but if you really want to go backwards and put XP on, then before you do anything, make sure you have the Windows XP installation disk otherwise you will end up uninstalling Vista (and with it all your programs and data) and having nothing.
Hi,



You can certainly change back to XP as long as you have an XP windows installation disk and are prepared to download all the drivers for your pc.



You will need to backup all your data to another drive or cd / dvd.



The instructions on how to do so are here :-



http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cf



However as it is such a lot of work to downgrade wouldn't it be easier to fix the mail problem?



What mail program are you using?



What format are the attachments in?



Just mail me and I'll try and help.



Arnak
Buy a copy of xp insert it in your cd drive and read whatever is written carefully a setup menu will come up press install windows xp then just follow the instructions.

Beware though you will lose your data so make a backup before installing.
Install the progam that the sender used to create the attachment and it should open from Outlook Express.

Or you can copy the file to another folder like My Documents or Desktop and open it from there.





http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/14
What you'll need....



Windows installation disc and product key.



Driver installation programs for your graphics and sound cards plus any SATA drivers your system requires and the disc from your ISP (Virgin, BT etc.) to enable internet connection.





Most systems are set to boot from CD/DVD by default. To check yours, on boot up, keep tapping either F2, Esc or Del (depending on your system) to get to the BIOS setup. Check in the boot order that the CD/DVD is the first boot device. Place the Win disc in then save and exit.

You might be asked to 'Press any key to boot from CD', do so. If not, restart with the CD in.



Follow the prompts to format the existing Windows installation and install the new version.



Somewhere along the way, you'll be prompted to hit F8 to agree with the terms, enter the regional details and the product key.



The computer may restart a couple of times, but leave the disc in.



Once the installation is finished, you'll be asked to activate Windows.

Choose the 'Activate by phone' option (you'll need the group of numbers on screen and a pen and paper to write down the activation code to enter).



When you've activated, load your drivers/ISP get some anti-virus and run Windows update, You're done!
if you have the vista to XP DOWNGRADE disk just install that and follow instuctions.



if you only have a XP disk you need to reformat the drive then install from scratch!!
backup your stuff to an external hard drive, then pop in the windows xp DVD and reboot your machine. the instructions which follow are simple and very clear....good luck
If you are real dummy then leave this task to someone who is familliar with windows installation process. The best thing for you will be to contact the venture from which you have bought your laptop.

or if you really wan to do it yourself than used a windows xp Dark Edition setup disk

put the cd in the drive then restart

choose boot from cd

the set up will run

you just follow the instruction



note: when you change your OS from vista to xp most of your drivers will not be working. Commonly sound will not be working, graphic will not function properly