[ElijahTW]

As I understand, you can have a Vista Business key converted into a XP key through Microsoft's downgrade program, but I don't quite understand how that works. I've got a HP Compaq 6710b with Vista Business OEM on it, and I can't stand it, so I'd like to downgrade to XP.

I've googled a bit, but I can't seem to find any clear instructions.

 

[Spyhop]

I doubt any of your computer woes are vista's fault. I'm sure you're scapegoating it like everyone else.

 

[gamefreak94]

Why not ring up M$? If there's any way to do what you're saying they should know.

 

[ElijahTW]

I doubt any of your computer woes are vista's fault. I'm sure you're scapegoating it like everyone else.

I simply don't like Vista, k?

Not to mention this computer only has 1GB of ram which isn't too great for Vista anyway, thus I want to downgrade to XP.

 

[Spyhop]

I simply don't like Vista, k?

why?

 

[ElijahTW]

Why not ring up M$? If there's any way to do what you're saying they should know.

Hmm.. I'm not even sure which number to call. The tech support number I called just bounced me through a bunch of unhelpful computer systems so I gave up.

why?

It never seemed snappy enough to me. Seven runs really smooth and everything, but not worth the money for a laptop that'll mainly be used just for browsing. And as I said, this computer only has 1GB of ram, which doesn't help with the whole "snappy" issue.

Also, I don't want this to turn into an OS debate, I just want to figure out how to downgrade to XP.

 

[Phil]

I thought there were two separate keys? That what the downgrade "option" usually is.

 

[Titus03]

On my Toshiba laptop there is only one key (for Vista Business). I got XP restore discs with my laptop, so there is no problem at all - and you don't have the discs?

I visited HP's website and looked for your laptop's page. No clear instructions there. I believe that you don't need to contact M$. Take a look at your manual first, and if there are no instructions, take contact to HP. If they can send you discs, it's possible that you should pay about 10 - 30$ for the them. Your model was not listed in HP's Windows 7 Upgrade program's eligible models list.

 

[ElijahTW]

I called up Microsoft and finally got to a person, and they told me I can install any OEM/Retail version of XP Pro with any serial number and give them a call when I get to the activation screen.

 

[Phil]

Ah thats a good deal then

 

[aceloop]

BigIg i think you should have installed a linux distro if you just want to browse.

 

[gamefreak94]

Yeah but if he decides to run MP4 videos on it some time he's gonna go through major head-aches satisfying dependencies and what not.