jdrober wrote:
> I bought a new laptop with 1GB RAM and Windows Vista Home. Is that enough RAM
> for VISTA or would another GIG make the 1.4GHZ process any faster ?
There's no set answer. It depends entirely upon how you're going to be
using the computer, and you've told us nothing about that. However,
because a laptop always "sequesters" a portion of the RAM for use by the
intergrated video adapter, I'd seriously consider increasing the RAM to
2 Gb if you're going to be doing any sort of multimedia work.
> Also,
> what options do I have to go back to XP ?
Your best choice would have been to purchase the laptop with WinXP
installed, to start with. Several OEMs still offer WinXP on their products.
Be that as it may, it's your computer, so the choice is, ultimately, yours.
However, there could be a couple possible adverse repercussions of
which you should be aware. First and foremost, if the specific computer
model in question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be
no WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's
diverse components work properly. Consult the computer's manufacturer
about the availability of device drivers. Secondly, removing an
OEM-installed operating system and replacing it with another will almost
invariably void any and all support agreements and, sometimes, even the
warranty. You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista before
getting any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the
computer's manufacturer for specifics. Thirdly, there may be the
additional cost involved in purchasing a WinXP license for this new
computer. (An OEM CD and license from some previous computer will not
do, for legal and usually technical reasons.)
After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)
HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
Then, assuming that the laptop can be made to work with WinXP, the
backed up data can be restored and applications (Those that are
WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.
> Would Microsoft trade me licenses ?
> I mean would they be willing to provide a copy of XP for free if I want to
> back level ?
>
No, of course not. Microsoft is a business, not a charity. (Remember,
you purchased Vista from the laptop manufacturer, not from Microsoft.)
You might direct this question to the computer's manufacturer to see if
they offer such an exchange.
--
Bruce Chambers
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