| Forum Home | ||||
| Press F1 | ||||
| Thread ID: 116290 | 2011-02-25 03:48:00 | Vista downgrade? | bk T (215) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1181409 | 2011-02-25 03:48:00 | Bought an ex-leased desktop PC preloaded with Win XP Pro but with a Vista Business OEMAct Windows COA sticker. The salesperson told me that should I need to reinstall Windows XP, I can use the Vista Bus Product Key, but I may be required to phone Microsoft for activation. Is it true that Vista Bus is 'down-gradable' to XP Pro? |
bk T (215) | ||
| 1181410 | 2011-02-25 04:01:00 | Here's one site about it (www.computerworld.com XP). Here's another (social.technet.microsoft.com). Dont know if you can still do it tho | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 1181411 | 2011-02-25 09:37:00 | Yes you can downgrade the computer down to XP Pro, if it came with a XP key. They are still doing it even with some Windows 7 Laptops. Just a couple of weeks ago, I sold a Toshiba W7 Pro Laptop to a customer, and it came with XP Pro media as a downgrade. Example (www.imagef1.net.nz) Some of a laptops system Specs. It wont be any use calling MS if you dont have the Media, as they will tell you to contact the supplier/Vendor if the XP Pro media is not there to obtain a replacement, as they will be recovery CD's not the standard OS CD. If you have the XP Key, as long as its the same version Eg: OEM key + OEM XP Pro CD, then it should accept it . Then you install the drivers etc - BUT be careful as XP Pro can be rather fussy about Keys/media. Meaning sometimes if you have a XP Pro SP2 CD it wont accept the XP Pro key if its an earlier version, you may have to have a XP Pro SP1 or earlier CD. If you have the Vista Business Key, then you will need a Vista OEM DVD to install. Retail DVD's wont work. |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1181412 | 2011-02-25 19:55:00 | Yes you can downgrade the computer down to XP Pro, if it came with a XP key. They are still doing it even with some Windows 7 Laptops. Just a couple of weeks ago, I sold a Toshiba W7 Pro Laptop to a customer, and it came with XP Pro media as a downgrade. Example (www.imagef1.net.nz) Some of a laptops system Specs. It wont be any use calling MS if you dont have the Media, as they will tell you to contact the supplier/Vendor if the XP Pro media is not there to obtain a replacement, as they will be recovery CD's not the standard OS CD. If you have the XP Key, as long as its the same version Eg: OEM key + OEM XP Pro CD, then it should accept it . Then you install the drivers etc - BUT be careful as XP Pro can be rather fussy about Keys/media. Meaning sometimes if you have a XP Pro SP2 CD it wont accept the XP Pro key if its an earlier version, you may have to have a XP Pro SP1 or earlier CD. If you have the Vista Business Key, then you will need a Vista OEM DVD to install. Retail DVD's wont work. No XP key provided. I have only got the Vista Business COA sticker on the box. Do you think that the key generated by Magic Jellybean can be used? |
bk T (215) | ||
| 1181413 | 2011-02-25 20:10:00 | Dont think MJ generates them. It gets it from the registry | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 1181414 | 2011-02-25 20:18:00 | First off - sorry for the long reply, but you'll see why--- If the OS is accessible, as in working or slave the drive then load in the hive into magic Jellybean- then you should be able to use the XP product key that magic Jellybean comes with -- Theres a BUT though . IF the XP install is from a normal XP OS, as in someone loaded in XP, drivers , and didn't use recovery CD's then it should work . Where it becomes difficult is when recovery CD's were used to do the install . I'll try to put his in non technical terms -- When Big OEM's like Dell Acer, Compaq make recovery CD's or installs for ALL of their products they dont use a standard COA like single installs - they use in simple terms a "bulk" key for the image . This COA will be on MANY PC's all the same key . While it will allow the OS to be installed,it wont activate, it comes up as being non legit (not illegal, just not legit) - you then usually have to call MS - they will tell you to use the COA on the PC - catch 22 if you dont have it . This "bulk" key /image has a file that the original install used that makes it legal, and allows updates, says its genuine etc . When reinstalling the needed file is not there - hence not legit . To prove the above - take ANY name brand PC, from Dell, HP, Compaq, Acer that has a factory install, look up the product key installed -- then compare to the one on the case --it will be completely different . If it doesn't activate - What you may be able to do is tell them the PC came with a downgrade to XP, and you are using the already installed key after doing a reinstall, and dont have the original recovery CD's . Hopefully they will generate you a new code to enter and away you go . OR they may simply say use the Vista COA that you do have and use Vista . Not to sure if they can do a cross reference and see the COA is down-gradeable . I know in the past when I have had COA's destroyed, using the original "bulk" key the response if I cant read the COA on the side of the case is "They have to buy another copy" Just curious -- Why did the sales guy say "You may need to reinstall XP" -- Is it damaged or full of viruses ? |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1181415 | 2011-02-25 20:48:00 | ... Just curious -- Why did the sales guy say "You may need to reinstall XP" -- Is it damaged or full of viruses ? First and foremost, thank you for your detail explanation. No. He didn't ask me, I asked him what if I need to re-install as I noticed that the COA is for Vista Bus. Cheers |
bk T (215) | ||
| 1181416 | 2011-02-25 21:26:00 | Right - that clears things up a little. :thumbs: NOW would be a good time to make a Image of the current system, exactly how it is, and store it away someplace on another PC, or external Hard Drive. That way "if" you ever need to reinstall XP, simply put back the Image you have just created and it would work fine. |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1181417 | 2011-02-25 21:33:00 | Vista business or above is downgrade-able to XP Pro. Use any XP Pro key when installing and call MS up for the activation, they will then ask for the Vista key and generate the phone activation ID. I've done this before and its the 'proper' way of doing it :) |
WarNox (8772) | ||
| 1181418 | 2011-02-25 21:39:00 | Thanks for all the advise, Wainu.:thanks | bk T (215) | ||
| 1 | |||||