Replace 7 with XP - How?

E

EINREB

Member
I build a computer from scratch and loaded it with Windows 7. It turns out, that I have several older programs that will run on XP, but not on 7. (It is the drivers I think.)Since they are important to me, and I do not want to go to the hassle of trying it to get to work on 7, I like to remove 7 and replace it with XP. I really do not mind running XP instead of 7.
Problem is, the system does not allow me to do so, claiming that the system installed is a later Windows version than I am trying to install. Duh!
Anyone knows how to defeat the smart aleck in Microsoft 7?:D
 
You must boot from the XP cd and delete existing partitions and repartition and install XP. You can't install XP while inside of windows 7.
 
Do you have an option of installing a 32-bit or 64-bit of Windows 7 during installation? I assume the issue is that you have software for 32-bit operation.

And, to go along with what johnb35 is saying, make sure the CD drive is set 1st on the boot sequence in the BIOS/UEFI.

Edit: Also, I just want to remind you that you can run Windows XP through Windows 7. Microsoft allows XP to be installed in a virtual box, and utilizes the Win 7 licensing key for authentication.
 
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What version of Win 7 are you running? If Pro or Ultimate you could download and install XP Mode from MS that may let you run your XP apps right from the Win 7 desktop.
 
BassAddict, yes my 7 is 64 bit. I changed the BIOS to have the CD the first BOOT source. And yes, I tried virtual XP, but it would not do it. I think it is the 32/64 Bit conflict.
Johnb35, I tried to boot up from XP. I thought that if it would boot up, I could reformat the HD and create new partitions. It would not let me. That is when I got that message.
Strollin, I am not sure which version I am running. Never looked at it, but it is 7 Ultimate. Like I said, I do not want to go through the hassle of trying XP programs to run on 7, rather get rid of 7 and get it over with. Really do not need it on this one, I have an other computer running it if I want it.
The original question remains, how do I get it to load in XP when it has 7 on the HD?
 
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do you get as far as selecting a partition?
Booting from the CD shouldnt give you that message. I have downgraded from 7 to vista and vista to XP on a HP G61 and never had an issue (once sata drivers were slipstreamed) with "installing older version" messages.
 
EINREB said:
I tried to boot up from XP. I thought that it it would boot up, I could reformat the HD and create new partitions. It would not let me. That is when I got that message.
Click to expand...

The only time you would get that message is if you were trying to install XP from inside of windows 7. Put the xp cd in your cdrom drive and reboot the pc. When you see the message "press any key to boot from cd" then press any key to boot to the xp cd.

wolfeking said:
do you get as far as selecting a partition?
Booting from the CD shouldnt give you that message. I have downgraded from 7 to vista and vista to XP on a HP G61 and never had an issue (once sata drivers were slipstreamed) with "installing older version" messages.
Click to expand...

Even if you didn't slipstream the sata driver, you would get the message saying that no hard disks were found.

Again, this message should only appear when you are trying to install an older OS while booted inside a new OS.
 
johnb35 said:
Even if you didn't slipstream the sata driver, you would get the message saying that no hard disks were found.

Again, this message should only appear when you are trying to install an older OS while booted inside a new OS.
Click to expand...
I worded that badly. I never got the message. And once sata were slipstreamed, I had no issue installing it.
 
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