Vista -- how hard to replace with XP?

Discussion in 'Software' started by MTHall51, Mar 25, 2008.

  1. MTHall51

    MTHall51 Specialist

    Well, I am not thrilled with Vista Basic. Viciously slow on my machine, and a few other things I don't like. How hard would it be to totally wipe it out, and then install Win XP? My local comp repair guy said it would be so tough he would have to remove the hard drive, do something to it, and after about an hour of labor could install Win XP instead.

    Anyone tried this? I am only the only unhappy Vista camper? Can't tell if Vista Premium would be any improvement.

    thanks all.
     
    MTHall51, Mar 25, 2008
    #1
  2. slopyjoemess

    slopyjoemess Private E-2

    What are your system specs? if you have 1gb of ram and a good GPU then it should run fine if you wanna run Vista home premium...
    but if you want a fast experience then u should have 2gb of ram and atlest a 256mb GPU and 2.8ghz CPU
    :major:major:major
     
    slopyjoemess, Mar 25, 2008
    #2
  3. Colemanguy

    Colemanguy MajorGeek

    Your problem is drivers, make sure you can find xp drivers for it.
     
    Colemanguy, Mar 25, 2008
    #3
  4. MTHall51

    MTHall51 Specialist

    I have a Dell "hyperthreaded" GX270 with a 2.8 CPU with 1 gig RAM. It is amazingly slow to boot, and noticeably slower than XP.
     
    MTHall51, Mar 26, 2008
    #4
  5. MTHall51

    MTHall51 Specialist

    Drivers is something I had not thought about. Not sure how to tell if drivers are a good "fit". My peripherals are a newer HP LaserJet, a WD Passport HD, a Seagate external HD, and about three years old ViewSonic Monitor.
     
    MTHall51, Mar 26, 2008
    #5
  6. slopyjoemess

    slopyjoemess Private E-2

    hmm those specs should run premium fine but after you install run a defrag strait away or it will be VERY slow
    :major:major
     
    slopyjoemess, Mar 26, 2008
    #6
  7. BILLMCC66

    BILLMCC66 Bionic Belgian

    Last year i bought Vista home but did not like it ( my PC was also too slow)so my PC shop used a program called KILL DISK, in my case i had all my original drivers and OEM so it was a simple case of start again and just update everything.
     
    BILLMCC66, Mar 26, 2008
    #7
  8. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Before removing and going back to XP, its worth a try of installing Vista Service Pack 1 as its adds speed to many areas and one is startup shutdown, but also as Vista uses a much better pre-caching ( prefetch ) than XP, it just takes a short while of use for its to get to know the common files needed to be cached.

    You will not see any benefits going to Vista Premium or Ultimate as they are all based on the same core files, they are no different apart from the extras they give over lower versions ( Media Center, Bitlocker etc )


    Goto Windows Update and see if SP1 is available to you yet, may need to install what ever critical updates are listed first and possibly a reboot or two and revisit to Win Update, or you can get full installer here Full SP1


    What would he do to this HD? All you need to do is to have as mentioned all the drivers for XP for that spec of PC, then boot to the XP CD, delete the partition, recreate the partition and re-format, then continue with the XP installer ( a quick run down on the steps ) all done from the XP CD. Its not tough at all, and as you have an older Optiplex GX270 then all the XP drivers are available from Dell Support http://support.euro.dell.com/suppor...PLX_PNT_CEL_GX270&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=
     
    DavidGP, Mar 26, 2008
    #8
  9. MTHall51

    MTHall51 Specialist

    Actually I did do defrag, and quite a variety of other maintenance things, but Vista is still running like a snail. I have a dual boot now, and when I run XP it goes like a race car in comparison. Problem is that I want to learn Vista, and the next computer I am hoping to get may very likely have Vista on it.
    IF I had two gigs of Ram, on the next system, even fairly slow RAM -- say 533Mhz do you think that would be plenty?
     
    MTHall51, Mar 26, 2008
    #9
  10. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    If I have an XP disc should it not have all the drivers I require on it? I would very much like to uninstall Vista and install XP.
     
    comperroruter, Nov 1, 2008
    #10
  11. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Gee, thanks MarkTrent. I appreciate your bluntness. I apologize for not being as thorough as everyone else obviously is.
     
    comperroruter, Nov 1, 2008
    #11
  12. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Thank you for the link, much appreciated.
     
    comperroruter, Nov 1, 2008
    #12

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds