can I install xp on a vista machine?

fmonte · 11-26-2007, 05:17 AM

I am considering buying this computer. Please note, according to the seller it has no OS installed, however he states that it originally had vista premium. Will I have any trouble getting xp pro to run on this machine? Thank you in advance.

Acer Aspire AST180-UD440A Desktop

Memory: 1024MB
Processor Type and Speed: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ @2.3GHz
DVD+RW: Dual Layer
Video/Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce 6100
Sound Card: Integrated High Definition
Modem: Motorola 56k v.90
Ethernet: Yukon 10/100/1000
USB Ports: 7 (3 front 4 rear)
Firewire Ports: 1 (rear)
Media Reader Slots: 9-in-1
O/S Installed: None
O/S License: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Hard Drive Capacity: 320GB

Items Included:
Desktop Computer
Power Cord
Keyboard
Mouse
Operating System License Key

Items NOT included:
Installed Operating System
Operating System Installation Media
Operating System Restore Partition
Applications / Drivers Disc(s)
User Documentation

epidemik · 11-26-2007, 05:23 AM

If theres no OS, then it should just be like a normal fresh install, no matter what os your putting on.

Windows XP should work just fine.

Depending one what you plan on doing with the machine, you may want a new graphics card and a more ram.

fmonte · 11-28-2007, 02:27 AM

Great, now I have a question about drivers. I have read many threads where people advise to make sure that you get all updated drivers but how do you get a list of what driver you are going to need from a machine that has no OS installed currently. Thank you.

zaroba · 11-28-2007, 02:59 AM

chances are that when you install XP (you'll have to before you can update the drivers anyway) it will detect everything and install drivers for the stuff automatically while the os itself is installing, but it will install old drivers. then you will know exactly what you have by looking in the Device Manager

but, if that doesn't work, then its just a matter of looking in the pc to see what the manufacturer and the model number of the motherboard, etc are and going to those company sites and getting the drivers.

ie, you know its a geforce 6100, so can just goto the nvidia site for an updated driver for windows xp.
the 56k modem is a motorola, so you can probably find a driver for it on the motorola website, but you might need to know its model number.

p5n32 · 11-28-2007, 03:11 AM

If it has vista and you don't like it will fine to install XP just need XP drives

epidemik · 11-28-2007, 03:31 AM

Install the OS...
Or look up the drivers on the manufacturers website on another comp.

fmonte · 11-28-2007, 02:47 PM

Thanks one and all.

11-26-2007, 05:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
fmonte Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 125	can I install xp on a vista machine? I am considering buying this computer. Please note, according to the seller it has no OS installed, however he states that it originally had vista premium. Will I have any trouble getting xp pro to run on this machine? Thank you in advance. Acer Aspire AST180-UD440A Desktop Memory: 1024MB Processor Type and Speed: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ @2.3GHz DVD+RW: Dual Layer Video/Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce 6100 Sound Card: Integrated High Definition Modem: Motorola 56k v.90 Ethernet: Yukon 10/100/1000 USB Ports: 7 (3 front 4 rear) Firewire Ports: 1 (rear) Media Reader Slots: 9-in-1 O/S Installed: None O/S License: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Hard Drive Capacity: 320GB Items Included: Desktop Computer Power Cord Keyboard Mouse Operating System License Key Items NOT included: Installed Operating System Operating System Installation Media Operating System Restore Partition Applications / Drivers Disc(s) User Documentation

11-26-2007, 05:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
epidemik Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ashland Oregon Age: 16 Posts: 2,224	If theres no OS, then it should just be like a normal fresh install, no matter what os your putting on. Windows XP should work just fine. Depending one what you plan on doing with the machine, you may want a new graphics card and a more ram. __________________ Current PC - Comming Late July :( Athlon 2000 - Q6600 nVidia 6200 - HD4850 1 GB RAM - 4GB RAM 19 + 40 GB HD - 320 GB HD CD Reader - DVD Burner last.fm : Steam Profile CF xFire Group: Click Here Then PM Me If You Apply

11-28-2007, 02:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
zaroba Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hereford PA Age: 27 Posts: 602	chances are that when you install XP (you'll have to before you can update the drivers anyway) it will detect everything and install drivers for the stuff automatically while the os itself is installing, but it will install old drivers. then you will know exactly what you have by looking in the Device Manager but, if that doesn't work, then its just a matter of looking in the pc to see what the manufacturer and the model number of the motherboard, etc are and going to those company sites and getting the drivers. ie, you know its a geforce 6100, so can just goto the nvidia site for an updated driver for windows xp. the 56k modem is a motorola, so you can probably find a driver for it on the motorola website, but you might need to know its model number. __________________ The Universal - the internet's most unique and enjoyable game. Mobo: Asus P5N32-E \| CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.4GHz \| PSU: Coolmax 650watt HDs: 3x320gb Seagate Barracuda, 3x500GB Seagates in USB cases \| Disc Drives: 16x DL dvd +/- rw Case: Lian-Li PC-V2100plusII \| OS: XP Professional - 64bit \| Monitors: Dual 19" Hanns-G 2ms LCDs Ram: 6 gb ddr2 \| GPU: 640MB GeForce 8800GTS Last edited by zaroba; 11-28-2007 at 03:02 AM.

11-28-2007, 03:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
p5n32 Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Australia, Posts: 286	If it has vista and you don't like it will fine to install XP just need XP drives __________________ Windows Vista ultimate Asus p5n32-sli Premium WiFi-AP Thermaltake BigWater cooling Quad Core Q6600 @ 3.4ghz CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 (PC2 5400) 4x 250gb HHD (raid) ASUS AGEIA PhysX 3D GAMING CARD 2x 8800 gt in sli (OC) Antec 900

11-28-2007, 03:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
epidemik Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ashland Oregon Age: 16 Posts: 2,224	Install the OS... Or look up the drivers on the manufacturers website on another comp. __________________ Current PC - Comming Late July :( Athlon 2000 - Q6600 nVidia 6200 - HD4850 1 GB RAM - 4GB RAM 19 + 40 GB HD - 320 GB HD CD Reader - DVD Burner last.fm : Steam Profile CF xFire Group: Click Here Then PM Me If You Apply

11-28-2007, 02:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
fmonte Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 125	Great, now I have a question about drivers. I have read many threads where people advise to make sure that you get all updated drivers but how do you get a list of what driver you are going to need from a machine that has no OS installed currently. Thank you.

11-28-2007, 02:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
fmonte Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 125	Thanks one and all.

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