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If I bought a Dell with Vista, would they give me XP for free?

theeedude

theeedude

Lifer
I got Vista on Dell laptop, but I really like XP more.
Vista seems like an annoying friend who asks "Are you sure?" too much.
Plus it's bloated. And my VPN software doesn't work on it, which is a deal breaker for me.
Would Dell give me XP downgrade for free if I buy Vista, or is it a one way street?
 
Bah, called Dell. Apparently not.
RANT AHEAD:
Seriously Dell sucks big time. The Inspiron E1505 that I bought is such a letdown. Screen colors aren't as nice as my 3 year old Compaq, and has way too much color variation across the screen (it's the 1440x900 model) . Mouse is uncomfortable buttons are smalled and need to be pressed deep, scrollbar is too narrow, it's pretty slow for core 2 duo 7200 because of all the stupid software they installed. It's extremely bulky and looks like it was designed by an idiot compared to my 3 year old X1000. They have norton antivirus shareware installed. Yes, a computer preinstalled with shareware antivirus, so in 30 days I need to buy another one. It looks like it was assembled by a monkey, stickers are put on crooked. It's unnecessarily bulky with bottom sticking out. They couldn't decide whether to go with white or silver, so they went with both, and it looks nasty. Vista sucks the big one, and support obviously is lacking. I am not surprised Dell stock is down and HPQ is up. Laptops are the computers of choice now, and DELL's laptop offering is lacking. This is probably the last DELL I am getting 🙁
 
...I hate Dell laptops. I'm typing this on my X1000. One of the best things I've ever bought. $800 on Black Friday 2.5 years ago and still very usefull. My wife gets Dell laptops for work(she is on her third one) and I have NOT been impressed with any of them.

Don't give up on Vista. Do a clean install if possible, shut off the stupid prompt that asks you if your sure you want to click your mouse-User Account Control (UAC) and you will be happy. Make sure you have enough RAM (1.5 GB's minimu for Aero).
 
I hope you didn't purchase the Vista Basic...

I don't know if Dell still give the actual Windows DVD with its laptop anymore (probably not), but you SHOULD be able to make an OS only recovery (I could be wrong). If it exists, it's probably somewhere in the Program menu. Once you've created an OS only installation disk, do a clean installation of Vista so that you can get rid of all the useless pre-installed software.

Before reinstalling Vista:
1. Download all Vista specific drivers from www.dell.com/support

2. Download a copy of firewall and antivirus (free or paid). Make sure both are compatible with Vista or you'll run into problems. Consolidated Security Thread | Windows Vista / 2K / XP

After reinstalling Vista, you might have to install drivers as requested. The most important one is probably your Ethernet/wifi card if they're not automatically detected. Installing drivers and new software will often require that you click "Continue" on the UAC (User Account Control). This is especially true when you install any driver or non-Vista "aware" software.

Disabling UAC is possible, but it's strongly not suggested. Simply put, many aspects of Vista depend on UAC including Protected Mode for Internet Explorer 7. Again, software that is certified or properly written for Vista shouldn't raise a UAC prompt after installation. However, older pre-Vista software might.

Basically, give it about two weeks before start disabling UAC once everything settles down a bit. Read the two links below for more informed decision.

User Account Control Overview (Microsoft)
Understanding and Working in Protected Mode Internet Explorer (Microsoft)
 
Originally posted by: gpgofast
Make sure you have enough RAM (1.5 GB's minimu for Aero).
Click to expand...

What a crock of sh!t.

1.5Gb minimum? For Aero? You have absolutely NO idea what you're talking about.

Think before you post, because such misinformation is ridiculous.

 
It will run "fine" on 1 GB until you open Office 2007...

And I might be full of crap, but I do know on my rig in my sig, on 1 Gig of ram, Vista performed VERY poorly. Upgraded to 2 Gig's and I couldn't be happier. I've been using Vista since last year when it was in Beta (went through 3 Beta versions) and I have NO issues with the OS. Perhaps the best OS Microsoft has ever built... GP
 
I have Vista Basic. I was kind of hoping it would be the least bloated version. And I am using the old school windows 95 theme too. Seriously, this is OS designed by idiots running on computer designed by idiots. Got all the right ingridients, but execution is lacking. Vista is dog slow. This is supposed to be Core Duo 7200. It feels slower than my 1.3g single core X1000 running XP. I may have to leave the X1000 as my windows machine, and dual boot this one with Linux.
In fairness, even HPs new PCs don't seem as nice as X1000 in terms of design. Definitely they are now cutting corners to compete on price. You almost have to splurge on an apple or thinkpad to get good design nowadays, but this Dell is atrocious. The mouse is so uncomfortable when you press the buttons, sharp edges press into your fingers because the buttons are so small and have to be pressed so deep.
 
Originally posted by: gpgofast
It will run "fine" on 1 GB until you open Office 2007...

And I might be full of crap, but I do know on my rig in my sig, on 1 Gig of ram, Vista performed VERY poorly. Upgraded to 2 Gig's and I couldn't be happier. I've been using Vista since last year when it was in Beta (went through 3 Beta versions) and I have NO issues with the OS. Perhaps the best OS Microsoft has ever built... GP
Click to expand...

I didn't disagree with what you are now saying above.

I disagreed with this ludicrous statement:

Originally posted by: gpgofast
(1.5 GB's minimu for Aero).
Click to expand...

Which is complete FUD.

 
OK, this POS is going back to Dell. It's funny that when I was doing the RMA, the lady was trying to offer me money to keep it, while the tech support guy wanted to charge me for windows xp.
 
I can't comment on this from a legal perspective, but if you stumble across a Dell OEM XP cd it will recognize the Dell BIOS and install w/out a license key.
 
It's too bad that MS doesn't offer downgrade rights for Vista Home Basic or Vista Home Premium to downgrade to XP Home. I'm sure a bunch of users would take them up on it. (I have a stack of Vista Home Basic units that I would love to turn into XP Home licenses.)

Btw, those Dell OEM XP Restore CDs - they will install without a CD-key on any machine, not just those with a Dell OEM BIOS. But they won't activate - unless you have a Dell BIOS, then you don't even have to activate. Fun stuff.
 
Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I can't comment on this from a legal perspective, but if you stumble across a Dell OEM XP cd it will recognize the Dell BIOS and install w/out a license key.
Click to expand...

Cough Cough

Seriously, OP do some research before you buy something online. If you can go to the mall. most of them have the ell kiosks and you can look at the laptop before you buy.
 
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