Downgrade from Vista to Xp

Hi, hopefully someon can help. Got a compaq 6720s running vista (crap OS), want to convert to Xp. Where can I find a full walkthru for this if possible.

Thanx

 

You will need to access a Windows XP install disk with a valid license key. During the install process, you will need to press F6 to install the drivers for your hard drive. This will require a floppy drive, which your computer probably doesn't have, so find a USB floppy drive that you can use. The drivers can be found here.

here

After you install Windows XP, you will need to download all the XP drivers from HP's website (HP bought Compaq years ago).

here

Installing the drivers will allow your network card, audio card, video card, etc... to work properly in Windows XP. Once completed, everything should work properly. The trickiest part is getting the install disc to see your hard drive, if you have a floppy disc and download the drivers I posted earlier, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

before you trash vista and install xp, go to compaq's website, search for drivers by the model number, and make sure that there are drivers available for XP. many computer manufacturers are no longer making xp drivers for new computers...

 

Actually there is a better way.. have a dig through the recovery partition.. you will find all the hardware and sata drivers in there.. and most will work on xp. You will need to streamline the sata hdd drivers into the home made xp install disk. (read the nlite website for details)

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2007.09.backup.aspx

a bit of using google should show you exactly where fista keeps it's drivers.. and it's probably easier to get them from your existing installation than go hunting around for them... I would search in the recovery partition for .inf files and then copy everything in the directory it points to.. (I do know where the drivers directory is but I forget sometimes)

WHY is this page so wide?? It's a right royal pain.

 

Hi folks, thanx for the advice. Will try the sites and ideas suggested. Will let you know how I get on but will take time as I have to fit things around other commitments.