is vista worth using now?

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
As I already pointed out, part of the SDL is to send stuff out secure by default. Vista will be in the crosshairs of the bad guys for the next 5-10 years, and judging by the developments of the last 5 years, it's better to err on the side of more-secure setup defaults, IMHO.

AKA "send it out a pain in the ass" by default, eh? JK

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
OK my wife has had enough of Vista and me too that I can't help her with all the problems with it.

Microsoft guys on here.

Will Microsoft kill the Vista License and give us an XP License for her laptop instead or does Toshiba have to do it?

I've seen that Dell has an XP option but I don't know if Toshiba does.

Thanks

I doubt Toshiba or M$ will give you a free retro license for XP, but I can tell you how I successfully removed it and replaced it with XP on an HP Pavilion. However, you'll need your own legit copy to do it.

LMK if you need further help.

 

[mechBgon]

If the Vista license in question is OEM Vista Business or OEM Vista Ultimate, then actually you already have downgrade rights, too.

Q. Can I downgrade my OEM version of Microsoft Windows Vista Business to Windows XP Professional?

A. Yes. OEM Downgrade Rights for desktop operating systems apply to Windows Vista Business & Vista Ultimate as stated in the License Terms. Please note, OEM downgrade versions of Windows Vista Business and Vista Ultimate are limited to Microsoft Windows XP Professional (including Tablet PC Edition & x64 Edition). End users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume Licensing agreement), Retail (FPP), or System Builder hologram CD (provided the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License). Use of the downgraded operating system is governed by the Windows Vista Business License Terms, and the end user cannot use both the downgrade operating system and Windows Vista Business. There are no downgrade rights granted for Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic or Home Premium.

In practical terms, if you have a qualifying OEM Vista (Business or Ultimate), then you install XP Pro (OEM or Retail) using an existing key, phone in to activate, and tell them you're using your downgrade option from OEM Vista Business or OEM Vista Ultimate. They give you an activation code, done deal. For more info, see this PDF file.

Q. What about product activation? When a previously licensed version of Windows XP Professional is used for the downgrade, won?t activation fail on the new PC?

A. When an end user is using their downgrade
rights offered under the License Terms in
Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions
and they use both Windows XP media and a
product key that was previously activated, they
will be unable to activate on-line over the
Internet, due to the hardware confi guration
change when installing on the Vista system. In
these cases the end user will be prompted to
call the Activation Support Line and explain
their circumstances to the Customer Service
Representative. Once it is determined that the
end user has a valid Vista Business or Ultimate
license, the Customer Service Representative will
help them activate their software.