Dell :: Downgrading From Vista64 To XP32/64 For Dummies
Sep 21, 2009
My dell studio 1555 has finally arrived with Vista Home SP1 64 bit and I'm absolutely hating it. I haven't installed crap on it and 1.5GB of my 4GB ram always remains under use. Don't know about the processor but that too I bet isn't loving the vista experience. Windows 7 is an option but prefer XP. I am pretty much sure XP will run faster and games will perform better eventually.
THE PROBLEM: I have NO F'ING CLUE WHERE TO BEGIN. I want to remove Vista completely and install XP. Is there a XP64 bit version? Because I hear downgrading to 32bit will cause driver issues. I've formatted/removed and re-installed XP on a laptop million times before but never have I went from 64 to 32 bit.. Is it possible? Could someone please show me a tutorial on how to get that done?
So just for fun I switched my drive operation mode from AHCI to IDE and installed Windows XPSP3 32bit.
I went around collecting drivers until all my devices were recognized, and then slipstreamed the drivers along with the newest Intel Matrix driver(extracted from the installer) onto a custom install DVD using nLite.
Shut down, set drive mode to AHCI, booted from CD, and then BAM! BSOD halfway through install initiation
I am experiencing some weird freezing issues on my machine, a m6400 covet, vista64 ultimate, 8GB ram, 3700 GPU.
It seems to be happening while browsing mostly, I don't notice it while gaming on WOW. What happens is Firefox or IE freezes while browsing for 2-3 seconds, and the task is locked, it's usually in transition to another page, while some resources are loading.
Has anyone been able to install the Audigy software that came with their m1730 after installing Vista64 bit version?
When I try to install, it says I have to install the audio drivers first! I did install them first! Aren't they the SigMatel drivers found on Dell website?
This and the touchpad are the only thing missing on my installation of Vista64 (was Vista 32 OEM).
After some problems with software, I did a clean install of Vista Ultimate 64bit. I copied the Swsetup folder and used those drivers, downloaded some newer ones and some applications from official HP site.
It works all great, except the two QuickLaunch buttons: for Qmenu and WLAN. Nothing happens if I pressed them. They don't even blink! But the others work just fine - even the Fn keys.
I've tried reinstalling the QLB application and drivers for a dozen times with no change.
I am having trouble playing bluray discs on my HDX18T. The result is the same whether I'm on Vista64 or Win7-64. I would put in a disc and it would launch the HP DVD player. When navigating through the disc menu, the entire computer would freeze at random spots and there's nothing I can do but hold the power button to brute-force a reboot.
I have been doing some heavy 3D graphics work and found that if I turn off all the visual cr@p, it makes the machine run about twice as fast on these intensive processes.
I have been wanting to run another piece of 3D software that is not Vista compatible (Autodesk AliasStudio) and after I installed it, discovered it definitely doesn't run on Vista.
I don't see any dis-advantage to downgrading to XP. I have a spare copy (XP Pro Full OEM) laying around that I had recently loaded on the dead laptop my M1530 replaced. Legit serial and everything.
So do I lose anything by going back to XP? I'm mostly running 2D and 3D apps and occasionally games. XP could only improve performance, correct? Is there anything in Vista that makes it worth keeping?
After a development version of the BIOS for the Studio XPS 1645 turned up, some people were concerned about reverting back to an older BIOS after flashing the X29 version. To solve this problem I extracted the WinPhlash utility from Dell's BIOS package and modified the settings.
Now you have several options:
- Simply backup your existing BIUOS - Upgrade to any version you like - Downgrade to any version you like
I compiled a package that contains the following BIOS versions:
A01, A02, A03, X29 and A05, A07, A08
This is as far as I know the order in which they were released. The X29 version was never officially released.
Just to be clear: I did not change anything to the actual BIOS files, just to the WinPhlash program settings. These are original, untouched Dell BIOS files, and the same program Dell uses to force-flash your laptop. I just changed a few settings (allowing us a choice of options).
Disclaimer: I cannot and will not assume responibility of somehow your laptop is bricked during the flashing process. This can happen with Dells own updat packages as well. I myself have used the tool in my package, and others have too, with success. This is however no guarantee for succes.
Please also note that I do not have either a 1647 or a 1340, so I cannot test these files. The theory behind updating the BIOS is the same for all these machines, and the 1340 packages appear to use the same WinPlash64 tool.
The packages can be found here:
20100327_Dell_Studio_XPS_Bios_Tools.zip This package contains the flash tools and the crisis recovery bits.
I have put the different BIOSes in their own packages:
20100327_SXPS_1645_BIOS.zip contains the BIOS files for the 1645, including the latest A08.
20100327_SXPS_1647_BIOS.zip contains the BIOS files for the 1647, including the latest A05.
20100327_SXPS_1340_BIOS.zip contains the BIOS files for the 1340, including the latest A11. The BIOS files for the 1340 seem to be smaller (about 2Mb vs 5Mb) than the 1645/1647 files.
UPDATE: I added the A06 version to the package. Also included Andrew's crisis recovery kit (see this thread for details). I have moved the package to my own server.
UPDATE: A07 is now also included
UPDATE: A08 is now included, and added packages for 1647 and 1340.
The fan starts after a few minutes when the machine has booted. The fan will start even if I only run simple HTML-webpages etc. Afterwards it never stops but keeps running relatively fast (and noisy).
My current config is:
* P8600(2.40,1066MHz,3MB) * NVIDIA Quadro NVS 160M * 250GB serial ATA HDD 7200RPM (Free Fall Sensor) (Seagate ST9250421ASG) * Intel WiFi Link 5300 (802.11 a/b/g/n 3X3) 1/2 MiniCard * Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth * Primary 6-cell 54W/HR LI-ION * 15.4in Wide Screen WXGA+ (1440x900) with LED backlit * Windows Vista Ultimate to XP Pro SP3 Downgrade SP1 with XP SP3 (Running XP currently on the machine)
Since I don't play games much and generally don't run 3D-software it was maybe a mistake to buy the E6500 with the dedicated NVIDIA-card, but I figured it was a nice feature to have in the future if I needed it.
I've tried various software to reduce the fan noise without much luck. Currently I'm considering returning the E6500 for a downgraded version without the NVIDIA-card, a lower clocked CPU and a slower HDD.
I'm considering:
* P8400(2.26,1066MHz,3MB) * 250GB serial ATA HDD 5400RPM * Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
1) Does anyone for sure know if the fan will run slower or maybe not at all if the E6500 is equiped with the Intel X4500HD instead of the Quadro NVS 160M when I surf webpages etc. and don't run GPU-intense software?
2) Will the fan run slower with a 2.26 GHz P8400 instead of a 2.40 GHz P8600?
3) Will a 5200 RPM HDD generally generate less heat in the system vs. a 7200 RPM HDD? (and hence generate less fan noise?)
4) I would really like to know how the BIOS determines how fast the fan should run? Is it dertermined from the overall system-temperature? The CPU-temp? or the GPU-temp? HDD-temp? Maybe an average of these?
Right now the fan has run relatively fast (docked) for about an hour. According to PC Wizard 2008 the temperatures are:
- ACPI Thermal Zone: 31.5 Celcius - Core 1: 25 C - Core 2: 26 C - GPU: 49 C - HDD: 38 C - Processor(s) activity: 1-3%
I have the fan-noise issue whenever the machine is docked or not. I like the E-port Plus very much, a digital S/PDIF-audio out would have been nice though. I hope I can use the E-port Plus with the integrated Intel X4500HD if I decide to downgrade. Dual-view is a must for me.
5) I'm not sure if DELL at all will exchange my E6500 for a downgraded version. Does anyone have experience returning DELLs when asking for a downgrade? My argument is to much noise from the fan to my taste, but I don't think DELL will buy this if there's no problem with the machine, so I probably will have to pay for the return of the first machine as well as freight for the new machine. It's quite expensive here in Denmark. Returns cost about $125 and Dell will pick up the machine, the only way to return here afaik. I have 3 year International Next Business Day On-site Response, but probably of not much use if the machine isn't broken or don't need repair.
I nice side-effect from downgrading to a slower system though, will be longer battery-life, but my ultimate goal is less noise.
i recently purchased a refurbished inspiron 1501 from the dell outlet. im just wondering if i can use the dell OS CD that came with my inspiron 9300 to downgrade from vista to xp.
my laptop is an Acer I assumed I could just drop the question here. So, I got an Extensa 4630-4922 and it comes with -sigh- Vista. You all know how problematic is Vista, and just the UAC ticks me off to the point of smashing the laptop on the floor. After thinking about it for a while I made up my mind and decided to downgrade to XP. Now, the thing is that I have no idea how to do it. I downloaded a copy of XP off the internet and I don't know what to do with it, and most importantly I don't know where to get the necessary drivers to make XP function. So, I just want to know if there is any guide, preferably a step-by-step one, that can guide me through the installation and set-up of XP on my laptop?
My friend recently purchased Inspiron 15R 5521 with Windows 8(64Bit) OS. Can he downgrade the OS to Windows 7(64Bit)? as he has some issues with certain software, which according to the developers won't work on Windows 8. Will the warranty be void if the system is formatted and Windows 7 is installed. Is there any option to go in for a dual boot with Windows 8 and Windows 7. As per the support center, they do not recommend dual booting on a Windows 8 system.
i have bought a VGN-FZ11M i have xp with sata drivers now the only think i have to do is to download the fz11 drivers form the ftp path and i will be ok?
does anyone have one of these and successfully downgraded from Windows 7 to XP? I've tried multiple times by slipstreaming the AMD AHCI drivers into the installation, but I haven't had any luck.
I have an E6400 that came from Dell with Vista Business installed. I have the disks to downgrade to XP. Will doing this affect my warranty? Do I need to buy a downgrade from Dell in order to maintain the warranty?
I've just got an Aspire 7735z, which came with Vista. I plan to use the machine for music software. Another machine I got a while back also had Vista and I had problems getting the software to work, so I eventually gave up and installed XP. Since then it's been working perfectly.
I planned to do the same with my 7735, but I get the BSOD when I boot with the XP disc.
The research I've done (and understand) suggests that I need the SATA drivers on the XP disc. I've spent a long time trying to find SATA drivers for the 7735z but I'm more confused than ever.
i have been trying to downgrade my extensa 5620 from vista to XP. i already formated my drive but as soon as XP installer would not find my drive i saw somethign wrong. win XP does not have the drivers for SATA HD :S i dont know if win XP SP3 has them any way.
i tried using nlite to create an XP CD with this driver integrated. i can find the drivers on acer website but nlite needs an .inf to add the driver! the driver files i download dont include this file extension and include a setup file.
I want to downgrade to Windows 7. Â I have Windows 8.1 and I hate it. Â I have an HP Pavilion g7 2297nr. Â I purchased it refurbished from Ebay and it came to me with Windows 7. Â I upgraded it to Windows 8 and I'd like to know how could I downgrade to Windows 7 and also get the correct drivers. Â
my laptop overheating problems ever since I bought it, I almost tried everything ..... but alas nothing worked the final straw im hanging on is to downgrade my bios to the utterly old version 1.13 which is the last known stable & heat friendly version which is not on Acer website anymore .... So I was wondering if anyone has the windows 7 x64 executable bios 1.13 for aspire 5738G on their laptop
I am loading up Windows 7 on my new HP Envy 17 laptop. Naturally, we are missing all kinds of drivers.  However, I still need to find  -Ethernet Controller (tried a few here but didn't work) -Network Controller (same here haven't found the right one yet) -PCI Simple Simple Communications Controller -Universal Serial Bus Controller (USB) Controller ( tried a few here too)   Then I have two unknown devices still ; probably the camera and the fingerprint scanner.  I understand that HP directly is not supporting this downgrade. I am not liking windows 8.1 so I want to go back to Windows 7. I have the base system installed and as I said I did find a few drivers but not all.
I've been busy downgrading my FW31ZJ (european model) to windows XP SP3.
I have found and installed the drivers for all components and things went smoothly, up until the point where I wanted to get my Fn-keys working.
This is where I got stuck initially and after much forum lurking I found the right Sony utilities to install, the order to install them in and so on (it is all on this forum).
Basicly you need the following components for your machine.
- Sony Firmware Extension Parser driver - Sony Programmable I/O Controller driver - Sony Shared Library - Sony Utility DLL - Sony Utility Settings - Vaio Event Service
You also might have to copy the VESConfig.ini from the original Vista install.
I read here that for most this has worked well and offered full fn-keys functionality under XP. Unfortunately I'm not of you...
I read a subject about downgrading vista to XP here which is quite helpful and the bewlow link is the subject, but I think this sort of downgrade does not have a straightforward process to do it and get rid of all the frustration you will face, therefore; you always get a problem which is different from some one else.
DV2799ea - How to install XP and all drivers (Yes it is possible)
I have followed the above link and managed to almost install winXP but not completely yet, I have managed to to install the SATA drive from a USB floppy disk just to enable me to go ahead installing the XP, but during the xp installation process it also asks for the Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver which I have it and have all the necessary drivers, and this is where I have been stacked because I don't know how to instal this driver, because obviously it's not possible to use flopy disk to load this driver as it's more than a few MBs, I put it on a USB flash drive and it did not detect it, I even copied it into a blank disk and inserted it into the CD ROM, but still does not pull it and detects nothing, so I don't really know how to load this drive and the rest of the drives, because it does not give me any other options apart from F3=QUITE ENTER=CONTINUE.
I'm missing drivers after downgrading to windows 7 (from 8.1). The drivers I need is:  - Bluetooth controller -Ethernet controller -Network controller -PCI Device -SM Bus Controller -Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller  My notebookis HP 15-g030s0
I just bought a U330 Touch that comes with Windows 8.1 preinstalled. I have several programs that are not compatible with Windows 8.1 so I want to downgrade to Windows 7. I spoke to a Microsoft representative who told be to check with the manufacturer before I downgrade to make sure that the computer is compatible.
give me the links to download windows 7 drivers for my laptop, Windows 8.1 isnt good on a device with no touch screen. And doesnt work well with older games.
After downgrading my hp 15-g073nr notebook PC from the preinstalled Windows 8.1 to Windows 7 64 bit I have the common driver problems others are having and I managed to resolve all but a couple. Â I am still missing the following drivers: PCI Encryption/Decryption Controller and the SM Bus Controller.
We have purchased an HP Pavilion G6 2300st to our parents with Windows 8 installed. Unfortunately, they are having diffuculties to use Windows 8. So I thought that we need to downgrade to the windows 7.  I tried to install Windows 7 last night and I wasn't be able to do so because of Legacy Support and UEFI etc.  After that, little search on the web and I think I will be able to install windows 7 now. However, when I was searching on the web I realized there are many people have the same problem includign drivers problems. Then I find out that G6 2300st does not have W7 drivers.  I found someone here downgrade the G6-2306el to W7 in link. [URL] ......  Now here is the question; Can I use the same drivers that stated in those posts?
locate working drivers for G6 2300st for the Win7 OS?
