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May 13th, 2008 16:00
Is this a true statement?
How do I downgrade?
Install a copy of Windows XP Professional with the product key that came with the copy, and then when you hit the activation screen - which is near the end of the installation process - select the activate by phone option rather than the online method. You'll likely end up talking with a live rep; tell him that you're downgrading from Vista to XP, and give him the Vista product key. The rep is supposed to walk you through the rest.
From pcadvisor
Is that correct? I thought if one has the OEM VISTA, to down grade to XP, you have to purchase a retail or another OEM copy of the XP?!!
snow
Message Edited by snowshine on 05-13-2008 12:52 PM
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SR45
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May 13th, 2008 18:00
My useless guess on this matter.....
I bet this is going to cause a bunch of confusion with a Dell system. Though the article suggested that a system purchase with a OEM OS installed can be down graded to XP, Dell has their OEM OS locked into the bios and how in the heck will that work with Dell ? Microsoft may not have the way of doing this on a Dell system unless the Bios is flashed in some way to allow this.
This is my guess only and have not heard a word from Dell at this time. Perhaps a Moderator may have to weigh in and find out from someone at the top of the food chain.
DELL-Jesse L
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May 14th, 2008 10:00
Thank you for using th Dell Community Forum.
This is the first I have heard of this issue. I will need some time to research and talk to the engineers. Once I get a reply back I will post back here on this thread.
mike6875
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May 15th, 2008 01:00
Put my XP copy in my 420,downloaded the drivers.
Everything went fine.
Did not have to punch in a product key or nothing.
Best thing I could have done,get rid of Vista.
Long live XP.
su_A_ve
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May 17th, 2008 23:00
SR45: OS locked in BIOS ??? What are you talking about? There's not such thing... You can install XP, Vista or whatever flavor of Linux you want on the machine.
Dell ships factory installed an OS version that does not need to be activated. This is an OEM Volume License key. If you install from scratch then you would need the individual icense key (OEM) that comes on the sticker. In any case, you won't be able to downgrade as you are downgrading from OEM version.
But if you have a license key and CD for XP, you can wipe your current HD and install that copy...
But OS locked on BIOS ???
snowshine
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May 18th, 2008 05:00
Hi su_A_ve,
Yes, What you say is correct and easy to understand.
However my question was pertinent to as if one has the one an only OEM copy of the VISTA that came with the computer. Now this person decides to "so called"!! down grade to XP. According to the claim on that posting that one need not have a valid license key for the XP but to call the MS after the installment of the XP and explain that about the down grade[VISTA to XP]. I am made to believe that MS will issue with a new set of activation number?