Vista to WinXP

[Liz65]

I want to install Win XP on a laptop that has Vista on it. I don't want a dual boot, so can I just format the drive and then install XP. Is there anything I should be aware of. Many Thanks.

[ACtheTROLL]

sounds like you got it all under control

only thing I'd add is make sure you have all the drivers downloaded and available BEFORE you start.
install chipset
video
sound
any others

and this might be a sticking point.
some sellers "bond" their machines to a certain OS
(PC World, dixons comet) generally "own brand".
prices are kept down by reducing support to an absolute minimum
Part of that is that only the drivers for windows X will be available. Microsoft sell cheaply too ... because the only upgrade is to buy another machine.

Assuming you have the original restore disc .... you have nothing to loose - give it a go
(A friend's son offered to upgrade a girl's dixon's 98 special to XP ..... he's still trying)

[vehelpfulguy]

I agree with ACtheTroll, the sticking point will be drivers.

I read an article in a computer magazine the other day about someone who tried to remove Vista and install XP on a new laptop.

After doing the XP install he found that because it was a new laptop many of the hardware components in it did not have XP drivers available.

If you do not have the XP drivers you may find that some of the components in your laptop may not work (or work badly) such as graphics, sound and so on.

[peanut]

If you can get your hands on a second hard drive, you could leave the original in tact and try your new XP install on the other drive. If it does not work, you've lost nothing. Maybe someone has a spare drive you could borrow or something like that. I'm not suggesting you buy another drive but it's something to think about.