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Solve : Going back to XP? |
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Answer» My kid's computer is messed up. I had to reinstall Vista (which I purchased and installed, the computer came with XP). I installed the Vista CD from my new computer which came with Vista. Stupid, I know but that's what happened. Now my kids computer says the version of Vista is bootleg. It won't connect to the internet to purchase a product key anymore. I purchase Windows XP, can I install it by simply putting it in the disk drive?Yes. You will need to set the BIOS to boot from CD drive first, rather than the hard drive. I take it you don't have the CD for the original Windows XP installation on your kid's computer.No, I don't have the original CD. That's why I used the wrong Vista installation CD to start with. I know how to change the boot sequence. Do I have to leave it set permanently set to boot from the CD/ROM drive, or will it be normal once I install XP? I did try changing the boot sequence and installing the CD they said was "bootleg" that way, and nothing happened. Why didn't that work, and are you sure that a newly purchased OS will work that way? Thank you so much for answering my post. I didn't have any idea that I couldn't use a Vista CD that I paid for on 2 computers that I paid for that both had Vista. My kids computer originally had XP, and I'd like to go back to that so I can use it to work with a CS Co. who's software is only compatible with XP. I just don't want to waste my money if the computer won't ever work again. It won't connect to the internet so I can't just buy a product key from Windows. As we all know, you can't return opened software, so if I buy an OS and it doesn't work, I'm just stuck. Thanks so much for your help.Quote from: butterflyeleven on February 03, 2009, 07:49:09 AM Do I have to leave it set permanently set to boot from the CD/ROM drive ...No, once XP is installed, access the BIOS again and change first boot device back to hard drive. Quote from: butterflyeleven on February 03, 2009, 07:49:09 AM I just don't want to waste my money if the computer won't ever work again.Assuming no hardware problems that will interfere with normal functioning, then, sure, it will work again. Most likely, you will have to install NUMEROUS drivers. You might want to search for them before proceeding with purchase and installation of Windows, OK. I know I don't have the driver CDs that came with the computer when I bought it. The whole box of them got lost when I moved, that's why I didn't have the OS installation CD in the first place, and stupidly used one that came with another computer. I'm guessing that I can't use driver CD's from another computer either?.... Where do I go to get/purchase drivers? Thank you for being so helpful. Visit the computer MANUFACTURER's website. You should be able to find most or all drivers you'll need there, and they will be free.you can download them free from the manufacturer's website. Can you tell us the manufacturer/model of the machine? We could help you find the drivers for the machine if you do put XP on it. - the Not connecting to the net problem could be a Vista Driver issue as well, since if you used a "recovery" type CD for another computer in the Machine it likely wouldn't have the proper network driver, and thus be unable to access to net to get another key as you've described- So before you pay for XP, we could find out if it is a Vista driver issue.Ok. What happened in the first place is my kids computer tried to install Vista SP 2, and got the error message "Service Pack could not be installed. Reverting changes. Do not turn off computer." It stayed like this for 2 weeks, and I called Microsoft and they helped me fix the problem, BUT I had to totally reinstall Windows. Since I no longer had the Vista CD, I thought it would be ok to use the Vista CD that came with MY computer. The kids computer was fine for about a month and then it started saying that I was using a bootleg version of Vista. There was an OPTION to purchase a product key online, but I didn't have the $ to do it. Then one day our cable went out. I had the kids computer running on a wireless connection with a wireless adapter. Since the cable went out, the wireless connection changed, and since there is no Windows on the kids computer, I wasn't able to reestablish the wireless connection. So that's why there's no internet. I have the $ now to purchase a product key or a new OS, but now the kids computer won't connect to the internet to allow me to just do it from there. If I'm going to have to purchase a totally new OS, I'd like to put XP on it so I can work from it if possible. My kids computer is a Dell Dimension E310. It was built in Nov. 2005, and it came with XP installed. When Vista came out, I purchased Vista and did a clean install. I now have niether the XP CD nor the Vista CD for that computer. My computer is a Dell XPS 420. It was built in Feb 2008, and came with Vista installed. I used the CD from my computer when Microsoft was helping me fix the kids computer. Thank you so much for your help. I AGREE with them all. Everything they say should work |
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