My experience downgrading Window Vista to Windows XP Pro

Windows Vista is a new Operating Syatem after Windows XP. Almost all of us aware about it. Most of new desktop or notebook that we purchase is preinstall with Windows Vista. Due to some reason we may still need to use Windows XP. In this hub I tell my experience downgrading Windows Vista to Windows XP Pro.

My company bought a brand new HP notebook with Windows Vista installed. Due to business reason I have to downgrade it to Windows Xp Pro. I thought it is straight forward process, so I just grab my Windows Xp Pro installer (Original) and put it inside the DVD drive. I restart the notebook and make sure the notebook boot from Windows Xp CD. As normal I reach to the screen where I have to select weather to install, repair or quit. I hit the enter key for install, and the next message I get is the installation cannot continue because no hard disk detected. I thought I make mistake and repeat the process. Again I received the same message. So I know something not right. I do a search using google and manage to get a few opinion from forum. I tried and one method work for me. The process that I did is,

• 1. Make sure the new HP notebook has driver for Windows XP Pro. I check with HP website and yes, there is driver for Windows Xp Pro. So I download and keep the driver in my external Hard Disk.
• 2. With the Windows XP CD still inside the DVD drive, I turn on the notebook
• 3. Keep tapping the F10 key when the Compaq logo appears. This will take you to BIOS Setup Utility.
• 4. Using arrow key I go to "System Configuration tab".
• 5. Under that select you will see SATA Native support. The default value is enable, so I disable it.
• 6. Press F10 to "Save and Exit" the BIOS.
• 7. Click on OK/Yes to confirm the changes.
• 8. Restart the notebook.
• 9. The notebook boot up from Windows XP CD.
• 10. As normal, I reach to the screen where I have to select weather to install, repair or quit. I hit the enter key than I get the screen that show the partition.
• 11. After that I just do as normal and I manage to install Windows XP Pro. :-)

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