How to install XP on a Pre install Vista ??

Well friend generally Windows Xp is not that tough to install on Vista preloaded laptop.You did not tell me what error and what problem you are facing during installation process. All you have to do is go into Bios and disable sata HDD support and then in the first boot priorty section switch from HDD to Cd. And save the settings and put Windows Xp bootable disc and install the OS. You will not find any problem but if you still find trouble then it is better you contact HP Customer support and ask them to downgrade your OS and they will surely guide. But if have to provide them Windows Xp cd if your Laptop is out of Warranty, if it is warranty then do not tamper the Vista edition and ask the shop person to provide you a hardware person to install WIndows Xp. Use their services and when they are doing see what they are doing and note down the procedure.. All the best..

Just somehow find a Windows XP disc with a working serial number, and then format the Vista partition using the Gparted Live CD, boot from that, and the rest should be obvious. Then, boot from the Windows XP disc using the boot selection menu that should appear when you hold then a specific key on your keyboard during startup of your computer. Follow the instructions, and you should be done. Also, I don't know why they would want Windows XP as Windows 7 is just around the corner with a Windows XP mode for all of your XP apps. Just my two cents.

LOL! I myself have worked on computers for the last 8 years at my job troubleshooting and so forth. Finally a month ago I got tired of Vista and was going to go back to XP. First let me say I ended up crying. It was absolutely horrible. I finally got it all worked out and I am loving it. Mine was also preinstalled on a toshiba. Okay. So if they have Vista professional there is a downgrade on Microsofts website that you can go back to XP for free. If it Vista basic like mine was then you will have to do some searching. Get the XP disc and then have your system boot from CD when it boots up delete all the partions then XP should install fine. XP has a wide database so it should pick up most of the drivers. If not then you will have to search by the laptop make/model/serial number in order to download the drivers individually. Good Luck and I hope that this helps. **Note** I actually had to get my drivers from a UK site best way is to look up the motherboard chipset and it should take you to the correct drivers.

first, if ever that XP installer didn't detect the harddrive the laptop, you should go to the BIOS and change the settings of the harddrive. usually, by default, it's set as SATA. change to to IDE or probably disable that option. once done, boot up the computer with the XP installer that you have and just follow the prompts to install XP. or the other thing that you can do is to customize your XP installer so that you can include the SATA/RAID driver for your laptop so that you don't have to make any changes in the BIOS. you can use NLITE to make a customized XP installer. i hope that helps. btw, check HP's website and see if oyu can downgrade it to XP. there are some laptops that can't be downgraded to XP.

I agree with the first response it's simple just use the cd and it can walk you through http://www.usfreeads.com/2091235-cls.html

I agree with bailyscow just get the cd and let it boot http://www.usfreeads.com/2091235-cls.html

well my friend the first thing that you have to do it get the list of hardwares that you have so that you can download the drives for the same when you install windows xp. this is the most important thing because for every OS to work properly you need the drivers for the hardware you have. try to get the drives for the sound card, the grpahic card and also the mother board so that you can install XP and then also take a back up of the data that you might have right now on your computer and that's it. then format the drive and install XP. installation of windows XP is a very easy thing to do anyways.