New laptop question

[dlanter]

I am getting my wife a Toshiba laptop for xmas which of course they all come with Vista now. For several reasons, I am going to change it to XP pro before giving it to her. Is there any machine specific drivers or anything like that which might be overwritten and cause problems from doing this?
Thanks

[kenw]

Dan, on a new computer, there is absolutely no reason to downgrade it. Vista is very stable when installed clean or as on a new computer. We've had Vista on our home notebook for well over a year. We've had no problems whatsoever.

Almost all the reported issues have been due to upgrades or old 3rd party applications / drivers.

If you are going to do a clean install (up or down), all the existing drivers will be removed anyway, a "clean" install is just that: the drive is absolutely cleaned of all drivers and files.

[dlanter]

Ken,

The main reason I want to downgrade to XP is that she will mainly use it for her sewing & embroidery work. Both her sewing machines and their software are pre-Vista and I'm not sure if they will be compatible with Vista without having to buy upgrades for them if they are available. If they are upgradable, then I might run into the issues you mention and I would rather avoid it.

Also, my wife is not very computer literate but is comfortable with XP. I really don't want to spend a lot time teaching her the differences in Vista.

[Bob_S]

It is possible that there may not be drivers for newer hardware for XP, not likely but possible. I doubt there will be any issues with it. Remember you can downgrade to XP for free via Microsoft.

That being said, she's going to have to learn a new OS at some point, might as well be with a new machine. I'd try her software on Vista and let that be the deciding factor. I think from a users point of view, XP and Vista operate the same.

[dlanter]

Originally Posted by Bob_S

That being said, she's going to have to learn a new OS at some point, might as well be with a new machine. I'd try her software on Vista and let that be the deciding factor.

Very good point Bob,

I want to have her laptop setup & ready to use when I give it to her and she doesn't know she is getting it so I have to be a little secretive and I'm not sure I can try out her software & sewing machines on it without her knowing about it. I do however know the ladies my wife shares sewing stuff with, so I guess I can ask them about their software being compatible with Vista.

Understand, I am not bashing Vista, I have had very little time using it. I use my laptop all day at work and the software I use for work is Java based and not Vista compatible so I have to stay with XP on mine.

[SCone]

What does the sewing software say about using Vista? Are there reported issues? Drivers or patches for Vista?

[dlanter]

Originally Posted by SCone

What does the sewing software say about using Vista? Are there reported issues? Drivers or patches for Vista?

I was just at their website and Vista upgrades are available for the software, but on their support forums there were all kinds of posts about problems after upgrading.

This doesn't sound like it's going to be fun.

[rbalcom]

If the software she uses works good on XP, I think you would be wise to move to XP on her new laptop. I use both Vista and XP. Problems with third party software can drive you over the edge with Vista. So, moving beyond the Vista discussion to your original question, if you go to XP you will have to have XP drivers for your laptop. Look on the manufactures website for them. Depending on how new the hardware is, XP may have suitable drivers or it may not.

[dlanter]

Originally Posted by rbalcom

So, moving beyond the Vista discussion to your original question, if you go to XP you will have to have XP drivers for your laptop. Look on the manufactures website for them. Depending on how new the hardware is, XP may have suitable drivers or it may not.

I just went to the Toshiba website and for the model I was planning on buying I could only find 1 XP related download. It was a BIOS update. What does this mean for my situation? Would I still need to find XP drivers for the display, dvd/cd drive, etc.?

[Bob_S]

Originally Posted by dlanter

I just went to the Toshiba website and for the model I was planning on buying I could only find 1 XP related download. It was a BIOS update. What does this mean for my situation? Would I still need to find XP drivers for the display, dvd/cd drive, etc.?

All hardware will need drivers. Maybe it is included in XP (which I think is likely) but perhaps not.

Have you considered Dell? I think they have a program that they will install XP for you under the Vista license. You may ask your Toshiba vendor if they can do the same. The nice thing about going that way is the vendor will make sure it all works prior to delivery.

In either case, I would install XP under a Vista license so you can at a later point upgrade.

[dlanter]

Thanks all for your help & advise. Before posting the question here, I had posted the same question on Toshiba support forum and I still haven't recieved a response.

One of the main reasons I am getting her a Toshiba is the price of course, but I have been using a similar model everyday at work for about 2 1/2 years now without a single problem. I will check with the store about my downgrade concerns. I won't actually be buying it until this next weekend. As much as I hate the idea of shopping on Black Friday, I can't pass up the extra $125 discounted price.

[Rson]

i realllllllly hated Vista until the SP1. I was forced into my Vista 64bit and can say that I am pleasantly pleased. It isn't as efficient as XP Pro but I haven't had any issues either.

Good luck and PM me if you need help. I do trade services. (I always need some family pics)

[rbalcom]

Originally Posted by dlanter

I just went to the Toshiba website and for the model I was planning on buying I could only find 1 XP related download. It was a BIOS update. What does this mean for my situation? Would I still need to find XP drivers for the display, dvd/cd drive, etc.?

Another thing to look at is whether they offered that model with XP installed in the past. If they did, you will probably not have a problem or should be able to get a reinstall disk for XP from Toshiba.

[dtown]

I haven't ran into a driver issue with XP 32 bit but I've ran into a couple with XP 64 bit such as my Canon i560 printer and the Zune but both worked after some driver fumbling.

I've put every box to Windows Classic start menu / theme so they all act the same.