On 30 Oct 2008 at 8:46, Evan Brastow wrote: > So, what I´d like to do, obviously, is go back to XP. But I´m wondering if > there is any legal way to do so? I know I can´t transfer an XP license from > my old system that had XP on it, and I don´t think I can buy XP at stores > anymore. > > Does Microsoft still allow you to "downgrade"(as if going from a Lite Brite > with dysfunctional pegs to a working Etch-A-Sketch is a downgrade) from > Vista to XP if you call them?
You didn't say which of the (too) many versions of Vista came on your Dell. Vista Business and Vista Ultimate include downgrade rights, otherwise AFAICT you have to purchase (or re-cycle) a legal license for XP -- or upgrade your Vista to one of those licenses, then downgrade. You need to provide the media yourself [*]. If your original license for XP was retail (i.e. not OEM), you should be able to uninstall it from the old PC and re-install it on the new one legally. First 'hit' for me at http://www.google.com/search?q=xp+downgrade+rights is http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/2/3/d23b9533-169d-4996-b198- 7b9d3fe15611/downgrade_chart.doc or here if the above wraps unusably: http://preview.tinyurl.com/bwy6m Can I downgrade my OEM version of Windows Vista Business to Windows XP Professional? Yes. OEM downgrade rights for desktop PC operating systems apply to Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate as stated in the License Terms. Please note, OEM downgrade versions of Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate are limited to Windows XP Professional (including Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP x64 Edition). End users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume Licensing agreement), retail (FPP), or system builder hologram CD (provided the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License). Use of the downgraded operating system is governed by the Windows Vista Business License Terms, and the end user cannot use both the downgrade operating system and Windows Vista Business. There are no downgrade rights granted for Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium. FWIW: "windows xp" - Google Product Search http://www.google.com/products?q="windows xp" Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/SP2c - License and media - 1 PC -... http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=%22windows+xp%22&oe=utf- 8&cid=2170981140604323984#ps-sellers or here if the above wraps unusably: http://preview.tinyurl.com/5ds6fq HTH Angus [*] Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/SP2 - Media - volume - CD -... http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=%22windows+xp%22&oe=utf- 8&cid=12625752869372599101#ps-sellers or here if the above wraps unusably: http://preview.tinyurl.com/6s8stq -- Angus Scott-Fleming GeoApps, Tucson, Arizona 1-520-290-5038 +-----------------------------------+ ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
