Prodeo_th,

 

Is it possible to downgrade your Inspiron 1420 to Windows XP Professional?  Yes.  Drivers are located here:  http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&osl=EN&catid=-1&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_1420&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en

 

Is it advisable?  If you have software that you have been using or wish to use that is not Vista certified, then the answer is a definite "Yes". 

 

Just last week, I installed two Dell Dimensions and three Optiplexes that were ordered with XP.  The primary industry-specific software used by my client has not received Vista certification.  Currently, the software company will not provide troubleshooting assistance if installed on a Vista system. 

 

Tony  

Yes... You can choose to use Windows XP instead of Vista. You need to call Dell's customer care at 800-624-9897 and tell that you want Windows XP. They will either ship you the XP CD or you may even have to return this system back and order another system if the invoice date is within a month... sounds good??? :smileywink:

 

tgsmith,

Be carefull advising this... if you take a look to the drivers, there's no audio drivers, video drivers (appears one, but it is for a TV Tunner).

 

Systems availables with XP:

Inspiron 1501, 1520

XPS M1710, M1730

 

By an unknown reason Dell is not supporting XP on new systems or Vista on old system

GioAguilar,

 

You're right.  Only basic drivers for the Inspiron 1420 are on the Dell site.  An XP driver CD (a download version is also available) for the Inspiron 1420 is available here:  http://www.user-guides.co.uk/asp/product.asp?recorprod=&product=2295&cat=&ph=&keywords=&recor=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=

 

Of course, one can always download them from the respective manufacturers of the audio, video,  and NIC.  Just did this downgrading a new Acer Aspire from Vista to XP.  A little tedious, but no capital outlay.

 

Here's a step by step downgrade of an Inspiron 1420 to XP:  http://www.davidreedonline.com/wordpress/2007/08/03/installing-windows-xp-on-the-dell-inspiron-1420/

 

and here:  http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=150033

 

Microsoft is the reason Dell only ships new systems with Vista and only supports XP on older systems.

 

Tony