Installing windows XP

Need to change settings in BIOS from AHCI to SATA in the BIOs set-up.

 

F2 at dell logo at start-up to get to BIOs settings. Save and exit the settings once amended.

 

Then F12 at  the dell logo start-up and then select boot from cd/dvd.

 

You will need an xp oem or retail disc. If you have Vista Ultimate or Business you can legally use any dell xp professional oem disc (shiped with any dell system with xp professional). A dell cd unlocks in a dell bios so should be fine.

 

Any dell xp disc should unlock in your dell BIOs but legally you are only meant to use a xp professional disc if you have ultimate or business installed. So you cannot get XP MCE or XP Home via downgrade rights although they discs will work its breaking your license agreement with dell and microsoft.

 

If you have your own retail or oem (unused / unactivated oem) you may use this. Note an XP upgrade disc will not work in your case.

Hi Thanks for the solution. I have vista HOme loaded in my laptop. Can this be changed to XP the same way as you wrote? If i dont get dell supplied XP cn I load using other CD available?

why do you need XP over vista?

Technically you can, it will work, legally you can't use another Dell XP Disc. Only legal way is you purchase a retail version of xp and use it.

Vista is very slow in comparison to Xp. moreover, I have a few statistical softwares of older version which runs only on Xp

what are your system specs?

 

have you tried running those softwares in vista's compatibility mode?