Sick Of Vista

[Dichotomy]

I have a laptop that I bought from a friend on the cheap about a year ago that I use as a guest computer etc... Not too worried about it being smoking fast but that bloated, useless, operating system has to go now.

Any landmines I need to be aware of before I reformat with XP Pro?

Thanks in advance.

[AirFlyer]

Compatible drivers, proprietary BIOS's, the usual.

[eagl]

Try win7...  I can't stand vista and thought I'd hate win7 (I do hate some win7 "features") but overall I like it better than winXP.  Far less system maintenance to keep the system feeling snappy.  Maybe a tiny bit of FR loss but overall it feels much more stable than winXP ever did, even stripped down and carefully managed winXP installations.

[Dichotomy]

Thanks Eagl but I've only got the spare license for XP.  I'm going to drop it 'down' to more easily interface with my home network. 

Win 7 coming in 2011 about June I think.  I was hoping for Feb but, apparently, you needed a tank of gas for that 15 according to the Federal Government.

I want my check ride sir <S> NAS Fort Worth is about 15 miles  -->

[Ghosth]

Hardest part would be finding all the drivers, especially the connectivity stuff, ie wireless drivers.

Should be doable though, depending on the laptop maker.

[NormH3]

Go to the manufacturer website and the drivers should be readily available. Chances are the BIOS is out of date since the average Joe doesnt do those upgrades often. I run Vista 64 on my Dell laptop and it even runs AH well. Most of my environment at work is VISTA 32, and have had little or no issues with it. Next several PC's I purchase will undoubtedly be WIN7.

[Dichotomy]

sounds like it will be a headache but one worth getting.  I can pull the drivers onto a thumb drive once I get it installed. 

Thanks guys.   

[Dichotomy]

Compaq Presario A900

Got Vista gone bye bye but it's still putting up a decent fight.  Need a driver for the wireless card and Google is defeating me.

Any ideas gents?

[AirFlyer]

A900 seems to be more of a series then a specific model, but the one I did pull up seemed to be using an Intel wireless chipset. That being the case this might help you find what you need.

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/detect.htm

[Dichotomy]

I'll check it out.. thanks

that got everything but the wireless driver.  It is apparently a deep dark secret which wireless driver will work with xp.  Im about ready to kick Compaq in the cajones.

[Denholm]

While it doesn't always work, try using Microsoft Update to determine the brand/model of your Wireless networking card. In addition, Microsoft Update may make a recommendation for a driver. However, I tend to shy away from Microsoft recommendations, especially with my recent encounters.

Once again, I must emphasize that you have to use Microsoft Update when attempting this. Windows Update (which comes standard with XP) will not automatically check your hardware for drivers. The easiest way to access Microsoft Update is to visit the Windows Update website, then select the "Microsoft Update" option near the top of the page (I believe the link is on the left side).

Not sure if it will work, yet if it does, should get you closer to finding a driver.

[NormH3]

Because the laptop came with Vista, there may not be an obvious driver for XP. Did you lok in the BIOS and see if the typr of wireless device is identified in there?

[NormH3]

Here is someone with a A900 laptop that had Vista and is trying to install Ubuntu. Towards the bottom it shows an Atheros wireless device. You might try searching for that driver and see if it installs.

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile PM965/GM965/GL960 Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller (rev 03)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 03)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 03)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 03)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 03)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller #1 (rev 03)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev f3)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801HEM (ICH8M) LPC Interface Controller (rev 03)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801HBM/HEM (ICH8M/ICH8M-E) IDE Controller (rev 03)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801HBM/HEM (ICH8M/ICH8M-E) SATA AHCI Controller (rev 03)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801H (ICH8 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 03)
01:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR242x 802.11abg Wireless PCI Express Adapter (rev 01)
02:01.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)

[pervert]

Try win7...  I can't stand vista and thought I'd hate win7 (I do hate some win7 "features") but overall I like it better than winXP.  Far less system maintenance to keep the system feeling snappy.  Maybe a tiny bit of FR loss but overall it feels much more stable than winXP ever did, even stripped down and carefully managed winXP installations.

+1

[Dichotomy]

VICTORY!!!!!

Norm you sir are a genius 

I almost did a victory lap when it installed

Thanks to all