Question:
can i install os on laptop as well?
byrdland5d@btopenworld.com
2010-04-23 22:19:19 UTC
i have windows xp on my desk top and want to install it on my new laptop as well because the free version of vista has tied itself in a knot.
ive put my disk in and the install selection is clouded.
This al seems to me to be mean and petty of windows [ hope your listening Bill -loadsamunny- Gates] or can i configure my laptop as a network arrangement or have i just been sh+++++
Five answers:
Jamfo
2010-04-23 22:22:24 UTC
You actually can do this because you have valid Windows licenses for both PCs. Even though your new laptop came with Vista pre-installed, Microsoft does allow you to "downgrade" from a more recent version of Windows to an older version of Windows... so your Vista license legally allows you to install XP on your laptop if you should choose to do so.



Now there is nothing "mean or petty" about any of this. All Operating Systems, including the Mac OS, are sold as one license, one computer. Fortunately, you have a license for your laptop, so you're OK in that respect.



For your second issue, where you put the disk in and the install selection is greyed out... well, that's because Windows does not allow you to downgrade a newer version of Windows with an older version on the fly. If you really want to downgrade your laptop to Windows XP you have to do so by booting from the installation CD and reformatting your hard drive. You'll then be allowed to install your copy of Windows XP on a clean system. Do be aware that this means that you will lose any applications, music, photos and files you may have on the laptop. Backup your personal files first and make sure you have the installation materials for any applications you may wish to replace. Place the Windows XP installation disk in your computer and boot from that disk (instead of the hard drive). Follow the on-screen procedures to install a clean copy of XP.



One last issue... BEFORE you start the process to install Windows XP, go to the website for the manufacturer of your laptop. Check to make sure they have drivers available for Windows XP for all the hardware in your system. It hardly makes sense to change from Vista to XP only to find that there is no hardware support drivers available for XP. If you find they have XP drivers available, download them NOW and drop them on to a flash drive. You'll need them to get your hardware working once you finish installing Windows XP... especially the driver for the laptop's network card.



Good luck with your downgrade!
David
2010-04-23 22:34:53 UTC
You can't do what you want.

For the majority of domestic installs Windows XP lives and dies on the machine that it was originally installed on and only allows 1 install on the original computer. So if you tried to install it on your laptop a second windows activation would detect a previous active install and refuse to activate.



Also if your previous desktop came with a restore disk rather than a genuine windows install then this will have been customised for the hardware on the desktop and the installation will fail.



Finally some manufacturers didn't bother to make XP drivers for Vista machines so you might struggle to find the correct drivers



I would suggest you tidy up your vista machine or upgrade to Windows 7 (which is much better than Vista) or use Linux



The others are partially correct as although you have a current vista license this would entitle you to put an XP install legally on laptop. The OEM version of XP on your desktop will not allow this unfortunately.

You might still be able to purchase for a nominal sum a version of windows XP that does allow you to utilise the vista license though, I would speak to a Microsoft vendor
tynamitom
2010-04-23 22:32:20 UTC
Personally I would buy Windows 7 as apparently it has a longer battery life and quicker performance than XP despite that it fits on a DVD and not a CD.



You can install Windows XP on a laptop, but if you are using the installation CD which came with your desktop pc, rather than the official Microsoft XP cd (you will know which is which as your desktop pc's manufacturer will be on the cd and its packaging), it might not work. It might not work because sometimes, when you buy a PC with Windows on it, it only works for that computer. But that is unlikely.



So my answer is yes you can.
?
2016-10-07 17:32:04 UTC
it particularly is far too confusing to make any experience in any respect. you have tried distinctive OS? You propose you have CDs for numerous OS's? you have tried distinctive drives? On a pc? Do you propose CD/DVD drives or you have fairly replaced the confusing disk? What kernels are you on approximately? All OS's have their very own kernels yet you do not usually ought to comprehend something approximately them. you in basic terms deploy the OS from CD. in case you have wiped your confusingcontinual you have chose an entire version of an OS, e.g. domicile windows XP, and you ought to insert the CD and boot and folow the instructions.
2010-04-23 22:23:35 UTC
No, you can install whatever you want on your laptop ( I personally would suggest ubuntu Linux )



Try holding F2 or F8 when you boot up your computer, and in the BIOS, try and boot from the disk....you can also try safe mode if you want.


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