I dont know if this would be the right section for it so mods please move if need be but here it goes....
Well, im having some crazy issues with a brand new Inspiron 1705 that came with windows Vista. Im not gonna get into all the issues Im having but Dell sent me a full version of Windows XP home edition, and now Id like to remove the Vista OS in favor for the XP. Im hearing its not so easy as Dell has some sort of lock thru the bios setup. Im not the most computer saavy person, so Im trying to find someone with the experience and know how to do this correctly, not to mention, have done it before. The laptop is less than a month old and I dont want anything to go wrong with it, as its a $2000 laptop. If someone is local to me in NY and could possibly help me I would be greatly appreciative. Please Please Please someone help!!!!

 

Try the computers section, i believe its under home and garden.

 

I really can't imagine that there is a lock in the bios......

Put in the XP CD and then reboot the computer. Press any key to boot from the CD (maybe the BIOS doesn't boot from the CD before the HD?).

 

I agree with Whiskers. Verify you can boot from the DVD drive and then proceed with new install. You will need to make sure that all of your data has been backed up before you begin as this will overwrite the partition.

 

theres somethin like a RAID setting or something like that in the bios setup that has to be changed...its so dam confusing for someone like me

 

step by step:
1. turn on computer with xp cd already inserted
2. you will be prompted to hit any key to begin the windows installation process
3. IF this does not happen and you boot into windows vista as usual, you need to restart your computer and hit the esc key to get into the BIOS. In the bios, you need to change the boot order and put your DVD drive before the Hard Drive. Save changes and reboot with the xp cd in the drive and you should see the prompt.
4. Follow on-screen instructions to install xp...

if you're having trouble let me know i'll try to do my best to help

 

dont do it. finding the drivers for your mb, and all hardware is going to be a BIETTCH. i do this at work, not the best decision

 

Actually, XP is better with drivers. My brother just built his own computer, and vista doesn't have drivers for some of his stuff. his wi-fi is sitting dead while we wait for a driver to be made =P

and i wish i could help the OP...move out to so cali =P

 

There isn't a lock per se, but Windows Vista will look for a Dell BIOS in order to activate. The manufacturer specific OEM copies of Windows do this and have for a long time.

This is a non-issue as you're completely doing away with Vista and installing XP. Just simply insert the XP CD, format the drive then install XP. The installation application will walk you through these steps.

 

Side note: This is a good time to think about whether or not you want to partition the hard drive since you're nuking the machine anyway.

 

You might need all the drivers, including Raid drivers.

Before you reinstall go to the dell website and download all drivers to a disk.

And when XP CD is booting, you should see a line at the bottom that says hit F6 if you have a driver disk. You will need to do this.

I have had to do it on the newer machines that I install XP or 2003 to as they know nothing about the newer Raid chips that machines are using now.

 

The OP is talking about a Dell Inspiron laptop not a desktop. Are there RAID controllers in laptops now?

 

Yes, but it could also just be the serial ATA driver is not known.

 

Piece of cake!!!!!

I have a Dell XPS M1710 which is basically a turbo'ed version of an Inspiron.
Mine came with Vista and it was a pig so I loaded XP media center on it.

Here's what I did.

1. Backup your data to an external hard disk or CD's or whatever.

2. Buy a legal copy of XP Pro or MCE (you're screwed if you try a hacked copy).

3. Press F2 at boot and change the boot sequence so that the CD ROM drive is accessed before the HDD.

4. Insert the XP disk and when prompted... delete all partitions on your hard disk.

5. Create a new partition, format it with NTFS and load XP.

6. Once XP is installed you need to get the Dell driver disk that came with your laptop and install all of the drivers.

The Dell driver CD has drivers for XP and VISTA

The only driver that I need to download separately was for my Intel Wireless N card. Everything else loaded up without a hitch.

The increase in speed is like day and night.

FWIW... I'm plying Ghost Recon Advanced Warfights 1 and 2 at 1920x1200 resolution with everything turned on at 100fps. Same goes for Half-Life 2.

 

Vista sucks that bad, huh? I was considering getting a new laptop with it but I was turned off because of all the negative stuff I've heard about it...

 

Vista really doesn't suck that bad. It just has a lot of overhead.
If your surfing the web or using word/excel/powerpoint then there's no problem.
I'm an Engineer and need to run 3D CAD applications and also want to play a game now and them so for me... Vista didn't cut it. For most however... it's fine.

 

Vista is not ready for prime time. Wait for SP1.