Replace Vista with XP or Return computer?

Question

My wife just purchased an Inspiron 1520 with Windows Vista Basic preinstalled.  She is a teacher and planned on using the computer for all of her teacher prep/grading/email at home.  Unfortunately Vista is not compatible with her school's web-based email, with remote access for Blackbaud (the attendance/grading/scheduling), or with textbook related software (electronic teacher's edition textbook and computer test generator).  Unfortunately we did not imagine this amount of non-compatibility.  We did originally look at a Dell XP machine, but there just weren't many XP laptops still offered by Dell (Inspiron 1501 and XPS).   Our decision now is whether to try and get a copy of XP to install in place of Vista on this machine (and hope we can sort out all of the drivers) or try to return this machine (I believe we are still in the return period) and replace it with a Dell laptop with XP pre-installed.  Either way is going to cost some money (our fault for not fully researching Vista compatibility issues with her school's resources).  Any recommendations either way?   Thanks in advance for the inputs and help.

Rebel9 · Answer

You can go either route.   XP computers are still available on Dell's Small Business site. Alternatively, you can purchase a copy of XP and install it on your present machine. If you choose the latter, make sure that ALL of the drivers and utilities are available for XP.

Rdemar · Answer

I am having the same issues with my new Vostro 1400.  Will the XP CD that came with my other Dell, a Latitude, work to install XP on the Vostro?

Rdemar · Answer

Bill,   Thank you for the clarification.    Am i likely to encounter problems with a driver for the intel wireless-n mini card that is installed in the Vostro?

schugg · Answer

Thanks for the inputs.  I am going to work on getting a copy of XP and the appropriate XP drivers, then I will start the process of 'downgrading.'  I'll be back if/when problems crop up.

TKDragon · Answer

Schugg,   Instead of going the XP OEM route and searching high and low for all the compatible drivers, you might want to consider calling Dell and asking if XP is an option for your laptop. Chances are they can supply you with a version of XP and all the necessary XP drivers and save you a whold lot of time in the process. Although I cannot say if this would be a more expensive route to take it would insure you that everything is on the up and up with Dell and nothing will cause problems for your warranty in the future if software/hardware support becomes neccesary. An added benifit to this is if/when the infrastruture in her school changes allowing the apps to be Vista comaptibile, you will have a 'Dell approved' version of both OS's to migrate from.   Cheers, Grant

schugg · Answer

Grant,   Thanks for the idea.  I will definitely check into what Dell can do for this situation.  I'll let you know how it turns out.   Thanks again!

schugg · Answer

Bill B,   It looks like I am going to be able to get XP from Dell due to the incompatibility issues.  They are sending me a voucher to purchase the XP OS.   Once I have a copy of the XP OS, do I need to wipe the hard drive to take off Vista, or does the XP installation reformat the hard drive?

flarp1939 · Answer

I considered returning my DELL because of similar issues with VISTA.  I'm still kicking myself for not doing that.  My recommendation is to return and start over.  DELL's agreement with Microsoft prohibits them from getting you XP for your system and I was told by a senior support person at DELL that installing any other OS will void your warranty.

Rebel9 · Answer

'I was told by a senior support person at DELL that installing any other OS will void your warranty'   As far as I am aware, that's simply NOT true. If you change your OS, your SOFTWARE support will be very limited (if any). BUT your hardware warranty is still in effect. It would be really beneficial for Dell if some of these 'senior support' people didn't dish out doubletalk like this.

ktme9300 · Answer

I'm fairly frustrated with getting XP to work on my 1520. XP installed with no problems. I could not get the Notebook System Software to work. I tried multiple sound drivers suggested by users and none will work. There seems to be very limited driver support on the 1520 for XP. Thankfully this is not my primary computer, but it still is frustrating. I'd rather stay with XP for now. I'm pretty experienced at solving computer issues and consider myself an advanced user. I've tried the sound drivers for both Vostro 1500 and the 1520 in both XP and Vista flavors. I attempted to install the NSS software first after the initial OS install. The NSS failed to install. Any suggestions would be a help. I'm using the XP disk from my 9300 to test and make sure that I can get the system running and stable with drivers. If it were to work, then I'd purchase an OEM copy of XP and perform a clean install again. So far it's failing.

schugg · Answer

Bill B,   Would you recommend a second hard drive over partitioning the current hard drive and setting up a dual boot (both Vista and XP)?   Thanks.   Inspiron 1520 Vista Basic Intel T7100 2 GB RAM Dell DW1390

schugg · Answer

Bill B,   I just received a new Seagate Momentus 7200.1 from Dell.  I also now have a new copy of XP Pro.  I have downloaded the Inspiron 1520 XP drivers from Dell.  I assume I will need to copy those onto a CD, then reconfigure the Inspiron BIOS to boot from the CD.  Anything I am missing before I start installing XP on the new hard drive?  Anything you would not recommend installing from XP Pro, given that my wife will be using this computer primarily to work on school-related programs for her teaching?  I have a copy of Office 2003 to install on the system when I am done installing XP Pro.   Thanks.   Inspiron 1520 Vista Basic Intel T7100 2 GB RAM Dell DW1390

ktme9300 · Answer

I'd use nlite and slipstream the SATA drivers onto the disk for an easier installation. There's plenty of information on the boards on how to slipstream the SATA drivers. Here's a web site link to look at for the slipstream. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Install-Windows-XP-On-SATA-Without-a-Floppy-F6-47807.shtml You'll also need the SATA drivers. Good luck and post your results on your XP installation. I was unable to get the sound and notebook system software to install. I'm not done trying to get it to work yet.

schugg · Answer

Bill B,   I unfortunately do not have two CD/DVD drives on this Inspiron 1520.  Without that capability, is the previous post ( I'd use nlite and slipstream the SATA drivers onto the disk for an easier installation) the easiest route to install the RAID driver?   Thanks.   Inspiron 1520 Vista Basic Intel T7100 2 GB RAM Dell DW1390

schugg · Answer

Bill B,   Would it be possible to put the SATA driver on a USB flash drive instead of a CD/DVD?  Then I could boot to the CD/DVD drive with the O/S disc, but install the SATA driver from the USB flash drive.   Thanks.   Inspiron 1520 Vista Basic Intel T7100 2 GB RAM Dell DW1390

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