A safe way to get back to Windows XP and away from Vista

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Guest

I have already upgraded to Vista, but after a great deal of frustration
because my my Audio controller, and Palm syncronization, and digital camera
inerface no longer function, I want to find a safe way to get rid of Vista
and return to XP.
 
rscholt1 said:
I have already upgraded to Vista, but after a great deal of frustration
because my my Audio controller, and Palm syncronization, and digital
camera
inerface no longer function, I want to find a safe way to get rid of Vista
and return to XP.
Click to expand...

It is my understanding that you can't do that. There is no "undo" for
Vista. I'm sure there is a good reason Microsoft deactivates your old copy
of XP (making it impossible to re-install XP) but no one knows what that is
yet. ;)
 
rscholt1 said:
I have already upgraded to Vista, but after a great deal of frustration
because my my Audio controller, and Palm syncronization, and digital camera
inerface no longer function, I want to find a safe way to get rid of Vista
and return to XP.
Click to expand...

Boot from XP CD and reinstall.


-Michael
 
MICHAEL said:
Boot from XP CD and reinstall.
Click to expand...

You can't do that. Well, you can but you can't activate XP. Microsoft
deactivates your old product code for XP once the Vista upgrade completes.
 
Jim Fisher said:
You can't do that. Well, you can but you can't activate XP. Microsoft deactivates your old
product code for XP once the Vista upgrade completes.
Click to expand...

All you have to do is phone in activation if it doesn't work.

Microsoft can't force you to use a product you do not want.


-Michael
 
Jim Fisher said:
Yes they can.

http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=37676

Read this again: Microsoft DEACTIVATES your XP product code. you CANNOT activate it.
Period. You may not like it (nor do I) but that is the fact.
Click to expand...

Jim,

Are you too obtuse to grasp this;
"All you have to do is phone in activation if it doesn't work."

The OP wants to go back to XP. He's *not* wanting to use both
at the same time.


-Michael
 
MICHAEL said:
Jim,

Are you too obtuse to grasp this;
"All you have to do is phone in activation if it doesn't work."

The OP wants to go back to XP. He's *not* wanting to use both
at the same time.
Click to expand...

MICHAEL, are you too dense to grasp this:

Vista DEACTIVATES your old product code. Read that again three times or
until you realize that if your prodcode is deactivated, you can't activate
Windows XP. If you can't activate XP, you can use it for only 30 days
before it becomes useless. *

You can phone MS all you want but the nice Indian lady will tell you that
you XP product code is INVALID thus will not activate.



* I suppose you might be able to Install XP if you own a Dell or other such
restoration which does not require activation. I haven't tried that yet.
I'm sure WGA will get even those eventually.

You MAY also be able to revert back to XP if you have not yet activated
Vista. I don't know exactly when the XP deactivation takes place.
 
Let me put this in simple terms for you, pudden-head.

A user has purchased an upgrade version of Vista.
The user's computer suffers some major screw-up and
he has to reinstall Vista.
What is the official way to accomplish that?
Microsoft says;
The user must reinstall XP and it must be activated
and genuine. Then the user can proceed with reinstalling
Vista.

How is a user supposed to get activated and genuine
if what you say is true?
Because, what you say is wrong. Period.

Yes, if you install an Upgrade version of Vista, you are no
longer entitled to use your XP and its key is invalidated as a
separate OS.

You need to think this through, dingleberry.
Be sure not to burn up that last brain cell.

One more time, a user may have to call to get
his/her XP reactivated. That's all that needs to be done.


-Michael
 
Re: "Vista DEACTIVATES your old product code"

I simply don't believe that this is true as you have stated it. I agree
that legally, once you install Vista Upgrade you are not supposed to be
able to then use the XP license which Vista upgraded.

However, I have not heard and do not believe that the XP product key is
actually deactivated on Microsoft's product activation server.

Think of this: Assume that following such an upgrade the hard drive
fails. In order to reinstall the Vista upgrade, you are supposed to
first reinstall, ACTIVATE AND VALIDATE (product activation and WGA) your
old copy of XP, then upgrade again from XP to Vista. If you were right,
that the old XP key was "blacklisted" on the MS product activation
servers, that would not be possible. But is must be possible, according
to the way that Microsoft planned for the upgrade version to work.
Hence, your position that installation of Vista actually deactivates the
XP product key on the MS server is almost impossible to reconcile. [All
of this not withstanding that we now know how to get around the
requirement for any version of XP being present to install the upgrade
version.]
 
Michael,

Yes, Jim Fisher is out to lunch.

However, I go further and even question your statement that "your XP and
its key is invalidated as a separate OS"

Legally, that is absolutely correct. But in terms of Microsoft's PA and
WGA servers, I'm not sure that it is correct. I'm not sure that
Microsoft actually does anything to an XP key when the system using that
XP key is upgraded to Vista. My suspicion is that if you upgrade a
retail XP copy to Vista, then reinstall XP on that same hardware (or,
possibly, even on other hardware after waiting more than 120 days), you
will probably get automatic Internet activation without having to talk
to anyone or do any explaining. Because I don't think that MS actually
takes any action as a result of the upgrade.

But I'd like to know for sure.
 
Barry Watzman said:
Michael,

Yes, Jim Fisher is out to lunch.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure . . .
Click to expand...
My suspicion is . . .
Click to expand...
you will probably . . . .
Click to expand...
I don't think that MS . . . .
Click to expand...
But I'd like to know for sure.
Click to expand...

Quite obviously, you don't know squat, Mr. Watzman. Google is your friend,
Mr Out To Lunch.

Read back through my posts if you must. I didn't say you could not
re-install XP in order to do a fresh load of Vista (although that would be
stupid since - contrary to popular belief - you don't have to do that). You
CAN reinstall XP but you CAN NOT ACTIVATE IT AGAIN.

The ORIGINAL POSTER wants to can Vista and go back to XP. At this moment,
Microsoft will not allow that to happen. They may change that policy
tomorrow but as of this moment, you cannot.
 
MICHAEL said:
Let me put this in simple terms for you, pudden-head.

A user has purchased an upgrade version of Vista.
The user's computer suffers some major screw-up and
he has to reinstall Vista.
What is the official way to accomplish that
Click to expand...

My gosh. You aren't really that dumb, are you? A five second search turned
up:

12/7/2006 5:46 PM
Changed by: xxxxxx
Status:

The Help and Support documentation previously mentioned does not include
this specific scenario and workaround.
Here is an example of a possible scenario:

- Customer is in a no-boot situation. Troubleshooting recommendations have
been attempted.
- As a last resort, customer is trying to resintall Windows Vista with an
upgrade product key.
- The previous operation system (e.g. Windows XP) is no longer on the PC. It
was removed initially when they successfully upgrade to Windows Vista
- Customer has misplaced/loss their original retail CD of Windows XP OR
Windows XP was previously pre-installed by OEM.
- If the previous operating system was installed by the OEM, we can direct
the customer to their OEM for a re-install. The customer may be charged with
a fee by the OEM if they do not have the OEM recovery XP CD.

The described workaround provides a way for us to assist a customer to
re-install Windows Vista without the need of a supported, installed, and
working OS.

Summary
=============================
The following steps provide a workaround if you need to clean install
Windows Vista provided with these conditions:
- You have an upgrade product key for Windows Vista
- There is not a supported operating system installed on the computer
- You are required to install Windows Vista by booting to the DVD to start
the installation.

Method/workaround:
1. Boot to the Windows Vista DVD
2. Start the setup routine by clicking on Install Now
3. When prompted for the product key, do not enter a product key and click
next.
4. You will be prompted to confirm that you wish to continue with the
install without entering a product key. Click on No, to continue.
5. When prompted for the edition of Windows Vista, select the edition
corresponding to your Windows Vista upgrade product key.
6. Continue with a clean installation.
7. Once the installation has been completed successfully, restart the setup
routine within the Windows Vista. This is also known as an in-place upgrade.
8. When prompted for the product key, enter your Windows Vista upgrade
product key.
 
Jim said:
Yes they can.

http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=37676

Read this again: Microsoft DEACTIVATES your XP product code. you CANNOT
activate it. Period. You may not like it (nor do I) but that is the fact.
Click to expand...

Here is the exact quote from the EULA.

"13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for
the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this
agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded
from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded
from."

It says nothing about Microsoft deactivating the XP product code.
 
You must be Gomer's brother Goober.
Hello, Goober.

That link says *nothing* about not allowing a user to
go back to XP.

You have proven nothing, save your immense ignorance.

What you posted is a workaround and not the official
first step in restoring Vista. These are scenarios relating
to a user not having access to their original XP disk.
Find the word "workaround". Think about it. Workarounds
are not the first stage of *official* recovery. They are typically
*last resort* measures.

<quote>
The described workaround provides a way for us to assist a customer to
re-install Windows Vista without the need of a supported, installed, and
working OS.
</quote>

Also, why would Microsoft post this article about another
way to reinstall a previous Windows version, if it wasn't allowed?
I would never suggest this way, but it is an option Microsoft puts
out there.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927522/en-us
January 30, 2007
How to restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you install Windows Vista.


Carry on, Goober.
 
From the same site *you* originally referred to:

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...#entry588277583
EULA/CD Key De-activation blah blah blah Answer, I called MS.

<quote>
Okay well I have Vista Ultimate Upgrade (retail) sitting right beside me, unopened.. and when I
read the news about the deactivation of your XP CD-Key I said no way am I installing.. but let
me call Microsoft to confirm all is well.

I asked them the question straight up if my XP Key becomes deactivated and I can no longer
activate any installations with that CD-Key.. they said no that's not true, it will NOT
deactivate your key.

Then, to make sure, I gave them the scenario to ensure they were on the same page as me.
I basically said in the event I need to format and re-install my OS; I will obliviously first
need to install XP and Avtivate it before I can "upgrade" it to vista. So, in this case, I will
still be able to install and activate XP again even though I've already performed an upgrade on
this license before, right? They said yes I will have no problems.

So, as per the customer service agent in the department of licensing and product information we
should all be fine.
</quote>
 
Vista’s EULA.

13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is
eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the
software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded
from.



XP EULA has the same clause.
9. UPGRADES. To use Software identified as an upgrade, you must first be licensed for the
software identified by Microsoft as eligible for the upgrade. After upgrading, you may no
longer use the software that formed the basis for your upgrade eligibility.
 
MICHAEL said:
Vista’s EULA.

13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for
the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this
agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded
from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded
from.



XP EULA has the same clause.
9. UPGRADES. To use Software identified as an upgrade, you must first be
licensed for the software identified by Microsoft as eligible for the
upgrade. After upgrading, you may no longer use the software that formed
the basis for your upgrade eligibility.
Click to expand...

Which of course says nothing about the XP key being deactivated by MS.

It says that you can no longer use the software that forms the basis of
the upgrade.
 
Hello Michael,
You are correct Michael as is Barry also. You can still install Windows XP
and you can still activate it. Upgrading to Windows Vista doesn't affect
the ability to activate the copy of Windows XP that you upgraded over if
you need to reinstall it.
Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
--------------------
|>From: "MICHAEL" <[email protected]>
|>References: <[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
|>In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>
|>Subject: Re: A safe way to get back to Windows XP and away from Vista
|>Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 11:25:32 -0500
|>Lines: 53
|>Organization: UNC@Chapel Hill #1!
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microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup:5721
|>X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
|>
|>From the same site *you* originally referred to:
|>
|>http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?show...#entry588277583
|>EULA/CD Key De-activation blah blah blah Answer, I called MS.
|>
|><quote>
|>Okay well I have Vista Ultimate Upgrade (retail) sitting right beside me,
unopened.. and when I
|>read the news about the deactivation of your XP CD-Key I said no way am I
installing.. but let
|>me call Microsoft to confirm all is well.
|>
|>I asked them the question straight up if my XP Key becomes deactivated
and I can no longer
|>activate any installations with that CD-Key.. they said no that's not
true, it will NOT
|>deactivate your key.
|>
|>Then, to make sure, I gave them the scenario to ensure they were on the
same page as me.
|>I basically said in the event I need to format and re-install my OS; I
will obliviously first
|>need to install XP and Avtivate it before I can "upgrade" it to vista.
So, in this case, I will
|>still be able to install and activate XP again even though I've already
performed an upgrade on
|>this license before, right? They said yes I will have no problems.
|>
|>So, as per the customer service agent in the department of licensing and
product information we
|>should all be fine.
|></quote>
|>
|>|>> |>>> Michael,
|>>>
|>>> Yes, Jim Fisher is out to lunch.
|>>
|>>>I'm not sure . . .
|>>
|>>> My suspicion is . . .
|>>
|>>> you will probably . . . .
|>>
|>>> I don't think that MS . . . .
|>>
|>>> But I'd like to know for sure.
|>>
|>> Quite obviously, you don't know squat, Mr. Watzman. Google is your
friend, Mr Out To Lunch.
|>>
|>> Read back through my posts if you must. I didn't say you could not
re-install XP in order to
|>> do a fresh load of Vista (although that would be stupid since -
contrary to popular belief -
|>> you don't have to do that). You CAN reinstall XP but you CAN NOT
ACTIVATE IT AGAIN.
|>>
|>> The ORIGINAL POSTER wants to can Vista and go back to XP. At this
moment, Microsoft will not
|>> allow that to happen. They may change that policy tomorrow but as of
this moment, you
|>> cannot.
|>>
|>
|>
 
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