downgrading from Vista to XP: Anyone out there know if you have to buy the full version of XP software in order to downgrade from Vista, or if you can just buy the "upgrade"?
1111987
Some computer companies ship XP restore disks with Vista computers. Dell offers the ability to buy some computers with XP installed. If you get a computer with Vista, I think you legally have the right to replace it with XP, and you can always download XP from some software pirate site. If you get a laptop that already has Vista, chances are you're not going to have too many problems, unless you have something that's not Vista compatible. You could also disable all the stupid "security" pop-ups. You should also consider buying a Mac laptop. Most people really like them, and with it you can duel-boot with XP, Vista, Linux, whatever (but you would have to buy the XP DVD).
831070
I did the upgrade, which was very simple. In all honesty the process was simplified by MS and worked great. My only other comment is that the 'learning curve' for Win 8 itself was not as easy as all of the other upgrades. This new OS is so radically different, that you will in fact be forced to work at learning it.
384972
Sort of. Windows 7 Upgrades are designed for Windows Vista, keeping your files and programs in place. If you have XP, you will not be able to perform that same type of upgrade directly. Instead, you can do what is called a "Clean Install" which will move your files to a Windows.old folder, but you will need to install all of your programs again. I'd also like to point out that you cannot use this Anytime Upgrade to go from XP to Win7. This product is strictly to upgrade from Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium; if you do not currently have Windows 7 Starter installed, then this product will be of no use. Try searching for "Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade" as that includes the DVDs so you can do the Clean Install.
1928293
This is the full version. I was installing it on a desktop PC that came with Vista but had earlier been upgraded to 7 with an upgrade copy. I had a frustrating time getting the full version to work and finally had an it friend at work install it. He was successful. Again, it is a full version.
2170180
Yes. I also did the very same thing. However, I only use my XP laptop for my older programs that there are no newer versions on the market. I use my Windows 7 / Linux laptop for everything else.
1872942
I chickened out and cancelled this order. I was jazzed but decided to wait awhile. The new tutorial books only have Vista, so it's chancy with older XP. How long before XP is landfill.
1359425
I held off a long time for the same reason. Rest assured, Vista 64 compatibility was added with the the Power Pack 1 (think SP 1) which also corrected the data corruption problem and added other features. Note, it is a pain as you have to first install from a 32-bit operating system before you can install under Vista 64-bit. In other words, I had to connect my girlfriend's laptop with Vista 32 and start the install before I could ultimately connect my Vista 64 desktop to the EX470. It does work though and I love this product. I'm backing-up automatically, set up a photo share for my friends to access, can trade files with friends and serve all my music / video files to my Xbox 360s over powerline ethernet adapters. I recommend upgrading memory from 512mb to 2gb (HP has lifted warranty restriction against this).
828638
Brenda, I purchased this product in 2010 and my computer had Vista... I am not sure if this will work for you.. they may have done some updates to their program. I would check into it first. That being said... I do love the program. I am sure if they have done any updates it will be just as good....
1611657
Does anyone know whether the full version purchased on Amazon is Vista compatible. The version from MS website is double the price.
95042
Yes it can upgrade it but no key. You enter your machines product number. Your machine has to have vista as original programming or the product key from the vista. Hope this helps. I have XP and this only upgrades vista to vista.
1961786
i found that one-of the xp drivers on that cd will let it run in vista.., be sure that u load the correct driver as-in: " 32 or 64-bit " driver for the os ur running.., after goin back over ur Q in the email, i got it to connect in both vista home basic 32-bit & vista business 32-bit versions using the 32-bit version of the xp driver on that disc.., i kno i'm a lil late gettin back to u with a better or updated answer, but i ran accross it by chance & it connects to my dial-up isp after loading that one driver..
836124
Product is from the XP era. I haven't used mine for some time but remember having to cobble the install together to even get it working well in 7. My upgrade to Win8 was so painful and broke everything that was working on 7, I resigned myself to downgrading back to 7. I'm a former Microsoft support tech so it came at great frustration to downgrade. This doesn't help you but I didn't want to just say it won't work without an explanation. The Olympus software people don't have any idea and are just trying to cycle old code with alleged fixes. I don't see much chance. I use my smartphone now and download files to a PC or Mac when needed. Best regards, Ed Product is from the XP era. I haven't used mine for some time but remember having to cobble the install together to even get it working well in 7. My upgrade to Win8 was so painful and broke everything that was working on 7, I resigned myself to downgrading back to 7. I'm a former Microsoft support tech so it came at great frustration to downgrade. This doesn't help you but I didn't want to just say it won't work without an explanation. The Olympus software people don't have any idea and are just trying to cycle old code with alleged fixes. I don't see much chance. I use my smartphone now... » Read More Product is from the XP era. I haven't used mine for some time but remember having to cobble the install together to even get it working well in 7. My upgrade to Win8 was so painful and broke everything that was working on 7, I resigned myself to downgrading back to 7. I'm a former Microsoft support tech so it came at great frustration to downgrade. This doesn't help you but I didn't want to just say it won't work without an explanation. The Olympus software people don't have any idea and are just trying to cycle old code with alleged fixes. I don't see much chance. I use my smartphone now and download files to a PC or Mac when needed. Best regards, Ed « Show Less
1486424
as far as drivers. can you download them. like DX 10 or 9. or do you have to buy a new graphics card. when i put vista on it. not the upgrade version. but the OS on the hard drive. i took out the XP drive, and put in Vista. and the ratting for games are 1.0 is the XP better
629032
The unit advertised here has Windows XP. I would not purchase a PC with XP at any price. Can this XP machine be upgraded to Windows 7...I don't know. What I can do is give another review of my W7 machine. When I purchased this unit in 2010, it came with Windows 7 Starter. I did two upgrades...to Windows 7 Home Premium & increased RAM from 1Gb to 2Gb, the max the motherboard will allow. It has a 250Gb HD which at the time was larger than the combined HD capacity of my two very old Dell desktops on XP. I installed Office 2003 at the time & last year added Office 365 since I was permitted up to 5 installs. Now 4 years down the road I can say that this is a fine piece of equipment, very reliable. But it's beginning to show it's age...it's getting slow in the processing & boot-up seems to take forever. I will be replacing it with a Surface Pro 3 but due to finances, it'll have to wait til next year. When it is replaced, this unit will not go to waste, it will be given to a teenager in foster care and carry on.
1683264
I think so..everything that has said was for XP has been installed on the Vista. Got this for my daughter and her family and they play it all the time so I'm sure it does.
1597897
I've only used it with Win7 and Vista, but there's nothing that jumped out at me that suggested it shouldn't work with XP. It should be noted though that it's slow and barely functional on all versions of Windows - it's just poorly written software period.
1149561
There are no installation instructions. Go to Microsoft website related to upgrading from XP to 7 for info on what to do before and after the install. Pretty straight forward. My install went w/out incident. Good luck!