DOWNGRADE FROM VISTA TO XP!!!

Question

Does anyone have instructions on how to get rid of Vista that came with my Dimension E521 and install XP PRO. Thank You.

russell_314 · Answer

If you have a Dell Windows XP CD it should be easy.   Dell Windows XP Reinstall Guide

NYRangers81 · Answer

Thanks for you reply, Actually its just a regular Windows XP cd bought from a store. What happens is, after pressing any key on the message 'PRESS ANY KEY TO BOOT FROM CD', the computer starts to spin the CD but then just goes straight into loading Windows Vista.

Plopo · Answer

I am also in the process of downgrading to XP, too many compatability issues.

I'm downloading all the drivers that I need after installing XP.

My Precision 390 has a CD model: "TSSTcorp CDRWDVD TS-H492C ATA device"

yet I cannot find a driver for XP ( or VISTA for that matter) on the DELL site.

I know this is Samsung, but even on their site there is no driver for this model.

Anyone know of another driver that I can use ?

Thanks

Message Edited by Plopo on 02-27-2007 01:25 PM

russell_314 · Answer

You could try changing the boot order in the BIOS making the CD drive first.  Have you tried both CD drives?  I would be willing to bet either your CD or CD drive is faulty.  I'm guessing this is a full retail version and not a CD like from another computer.  Like Dell OEM CD's most check the BIOS to see if they're in the right computer.

russell_314 · Answer

NYRangers81

I've never installed Windows to a SATA drive but it is my understanding that you only need to install RAID drivers if you have a RAID setup. You just have a single hard drive? If you have another PC try if you can get the Windows CD to boot on it. When it asks you to install Windows just cancel and nothing will be changed.

Plopo

You might try posting your driver question in a new post in the Optiplex - General Hardware forum since you will get more people looking at it. Once a post has been replied to less people look at it since they think it has been answered.

Message Edited by russell_314 on 02-27-2007 02:41 PM

GioAguilar · Answer

NYRangers81: Also make sure you are using the top optical drive on your computer (if you have two optical drives) and when you press any key after the message should not be a problem

NYRangers81 · Answer

Computer came with one 16X DVD+/-RW Drive, I have it set-up as the first thing to boot from within the BIOS. The Windows XP PRO cd is a full version bought from a store. Also I don't know if this makes a difference or not, but the hard drive is 250GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM). Do I need a RAID driver or a special boot up disk in order to start this install? Thanks.

GioAguilar · Answer

So is that the only one you have on your computer (16X DVD+/-RW ) ??? If so, after pressing any key XP installatiomshould continue with no problems, no RAID drivers needed if you don´t have RAID HDDs. I´ve tried on my Inspiron E1505 and XP CD boots fine... Now if you have that 16X DVD+/-RW and another DVD, I think the DVD should be at above the DVDRW, and you will need to use the DVD instead DVDRW...

NYRangers81 · Answer

Ok, I'm going to try using this cd on another computer and go from there. Thanks for all your help guys!

frontier204 · Answer

NYRangers81 I actually tried a Windows XP Pro SP1 CD on a friend's laptop with 2 SATA hard drives (NOT RAID). The installer thought there were not hard drives installed so you will probably need a diskette with drivers on it. You should be able to load the drivers when it says 'Press F6 to load third-party drivers' or something along those lines. I can't help any further, as I never completed the Windows XP install (it proved easier (less time consuming) to reinitialize his laptop's recovery partition by using Linux and using the manufacturer's system restore to kill Vista).

srquinn · Answer

If you have an WinXP disk and license, press f12 when starting your computer and folllow the directions. Remember to remove all the partitions resident on the current drive and re partition as one drive.

pcgeek11 · Answer

Plopo,   Quote: My Precision 390 has  a CD model: 'TSSTcorp CDRWDVD TS-H492C ATA device' yet I cannot find a driver for XP ( or VISTA for that matter) on the DELL site. I know this is Samsung, but even on their site there is no driver for this model. Anyone know of another driver that I can use ? Unquote.   You do not need a seperate driver for a CD Drive for Vista or XP. It is a standard device with drivers already in the OS.   pcgeek11

tsperry88 · Answer

Pressing F12 when the dell logo appears will give the boot menu. Just select the CD drive you would like to boot from.

Plopo · Answer

XP setup said that I didn't have a hard drive. I have a Precision 390 with one SATA drive. I changed my BIOS from 'RAID Autodetect AHCI' to 'RAID Autodetect ATA' and installation was OK. Don't change the RAID setting back, XP doesn't like that !

mrissmann · Answer

Not sure if this has been solved or not and I am not familiar with this model but for every computer that I have installed XP/vista on you need to supply it with a SATA driver by pressing F6. If I didn't do that I get messages that 'my computer has been stopped to prevent any damage... (or something similar)'. Sometimes that SATA drivers are bunched in with the RAID drivers.   I am downgrading to XP on a 9200 and having my own different problems.  :)   Good luck   -Markus

Windows General

DOWNGRADE FROM VISTA TO XP!!!

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