I got a new computer (HP Pavillion SLIMLINE s5000 series) and it has Windows 7 on it.
I HATE Windows 7!!!        It isn't compatible with miost of the hardware I have, including
my printer.  I'm sick of trying to work around all of these problems.  Is there some way
I can "trade" my WIN 7 is for Win XP somewhere?  FREE!  Is there a way to get WIN XP
off of my old computer and put it on my new one (and delete all of WIN 7)?
ThanksNO!
But you might talk to HP and ask them if there is a solution for you. In general, if you get a Windows n7 PC there is not any kind of 'downgrade' option.

Also, before you even try to put Windows XP on that machine, you need to find out if there are DRIVERS for it. Specifically, the hard drive and graphics may not have suitable XP drivers.

Go to the HP site, enter your model number and see if there are drivers for the machine for XP. The Windows 7 drives do not work for XP.

Tip: If you decide to install XP, do tins: Using Windows 7, shrunk the partition so that you can make a large partition for XP. That way you still have the Windows 7 available if you ever want it.

Trust me! Do NOT erase your Windows 7 OS. You will need it in the future. Really! No joke!I've never understood why people who want to use a decade plus old Operating System buy new computers.To clarify the above points:

A lot of Microsoft's software includes downgrade rights - meaning that (provided the licence specifies,) if you have purchased Windows 7, you are permitted to install XP instead[1].  You may need to phone Microsoft to obtain a valid licence key[2].

Despite my colleague BC's reservations, there are several legitimate  reasons for downgrading to XP.  Of these, the biggest is operating-system lock-in on proprietary or bespoke software.  For example in my company, we use a lot of bespoke software that was developed on and for legacy operating systems.  Upgrading this software is not simple, quick or cheap.  While the process of developing new software was underway it was necessary for us to downgrade a lot of the hardware we bought between (say) 2007 and 2011.

Initially the support burden of Windows 7 was greater than Windows XP, while companies got up to speed on the new O/S.  For smaller companies with limited I.T. budgets, often the pragmatic decision will be to skip one or more versions of Windows and thus avoid some of the obvious and hidden migration costs.

XP is going out of support in 2014, so the pressure is on to move all vulnerable systems away from XP.  Once security updates are no longer available, any network-connected XP machine is essentially a sitting duck.  That said, even this risk may be mitigated by the use of security/endpoint products that keep systems locked down, that still support XP.

References:

1. Understanding Downgrade Rights
2. Downgrade Rights FAQRob Pomeroy,
Good post. He can order an OEM XP CD specific to his computer from either HP or a on-line site that has the legal rights to resell the HP CD.
As an alternative, he can buy a used OEM CD from an individual that no longer wants it.

OEM in this context means specific to a manufacturer. Neely, HP. Trying to use a HP OEM CD on a PC that does not the COA from Microsoft is a violation of the license. Unless the user wants to shell out the full price for a new license key. In which case he might as well just buy the full retail package.

The OP has already made it clear that he has a HP with Windows 7. As Pomeroy said, he would have the RIGHT to 'downgrade' to Windows XP buy getting the right restore CD from HP. Or a legal source for HP OEM CDs.

The CD is about $25 plus shipping. You can GOOGLE it.
Quote from: Geek-9pm on February 27, 2012, 01:15:04 PM

The OP has already made it clear that he has a HP with Windows 7. As Pomeroy said, he would have the right to 'downgrade' to Windows XP

Personally i'd keep Win7 and dump the printer...

I would like to know the make and model of the printer that is not working.