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Author Topic: Downgrading from xp pro?  (Read 4672 times)

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hootsmon

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Downgrading from xp pro?
« on: February 09, 2008, 09:08:38 AM »
Hi Peeps,

I had my old PC upgraded from Windows ME to XP pro. Question is, is it possible to unistall XP and downgrade to an older OS?

What would I have to do?

Deerpark



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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #1 on: February 09, 2008, 09:18:37 AM »
    You can't uninstall XP. In order to go back to ME you would have to reinstall it from a ME installation disc / restore disc. This would involve wiping the partition with windows on it clean, so you would need to backup any data you'd like to keep.
    Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
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    Broni


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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #2 on: February 09, 2008, 11:32:20 AM »
    Any particular reason for downgrade?

    hootsmon

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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #3 on: February 09, 2008, 12:47:50 PM »
    Alas I don't have a ME installation CD, PC didn't come with one, only have recovery CD and software Cd's (MS Works etc).

    Is it possible to install the original ME OS even though I don't have the installation CD, after all the PC did cost around £900 about 6yrs ago (we're ripped off in the UK).

    hootsmon

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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #4 on: February 09, 2008, 12:59:35 PM »
    Any particular reason for downgrade?

    XP I had put on a while back wasn't a legit one, not used it since and would like it all legal again, plus I would like a little experience in unistalling/installing an OS.


    Broni


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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #5 on: February 09, 2008, 01:07:01 PM »
    Fair enough....Recovery CD should do...

    hootsmon

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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #6 on: February 09, 2008, 04:08:09 PM »
    Fair enough....Recovery CD should do...

    Don't think the recovery disc can or is for reinstalling ME OS, but anyway...

    Will formatting the harddrive allow me to install a new operating system or is there more to it than that?

    I've read a bit about it, but in all honesty it just blows my mind, still want to give it a go though as I'm not actually using the old PC.

    Looking for guidance.

    Broni


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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #7 on: February 09, 2008, 04:56:45 PM »
    If your hard drive was formatted using NTFS, you'll need to boot from bootdisk (floppy): www.bootdisk.com, use fdisk to remove partition, create new partition, and format it as FAT32. Then you can boot from Recovery CD to install ME.

    elxr06

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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #8 on: February 09, 2008, 09:11:24 PM »
    if you have osme kind of installation disk, you can just pop it into the drive and install. But you lose all your data. So backup.

    You'll just erase your harddrive completely and install. And yes, FAT32 is what your drive will be in.

    hootsmon

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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #9 on: February 10, 2008, 05:25:58 AM »
     Harddrive was formatted using NTFS and the XP Pro that I had installed was a full program and not just an upgrade. I expect that makes all the difference when it comes down to reinstalling the original ME.

    I was looking through the discs that came with my old PC and found that I'd made an ME "start-up disk" when i first bought the PC, is that of any use, taking into account what I've explained above.

    Would I be better of just installing a new harddrive?

    Will more than likely get someone else to do it, although I would like to do it myself, it does seems to be a bit complicated.
    I'm one of those people who need to be shown how to do something as opposed reading instructions . Still appreciate your help, keep it coming.

    Broni


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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #10 on: February 10, 2008, 10:25:52 AM »
    Self-made ME startup disk, most likely doesn't have fdisk command on it.
    New hard drive is another option.

    patio

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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #11 on: February 10, 2008, 04:04:10 PM »
    It does...
    " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

    elxr06

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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #12 on: February 10, 2008, 08:34:03 PM »
    if you have an installation disk just pop it in and it'll do it's job.

    That shouldn't be a problem. I had installed linux once in my lifetime and it didn't matter that i had formatted the drive to NTFS earlier. I simply wiped the drive and installed.

    Now that should be same with win ME and win XP.


    Broni


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    Re: Downgrading from xp pro?
    « Reply #13 on: February 10, 2008, 09:17:19 PM »
    Quote
    It does...
    Thank you. I hope, you're correct, this time....LOL