Retail versions of XP on a laptop

  • Thread starter Thread starter Papa
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Papa

I have built many desktop computers from scratch, and always use retail
versions of the operating system. That way I can do a clean re-install at
any time, and avoid the clutter of all the extra and usually useless "stuff"
that comes with the Restore disks that many computer retailers include.
However, one thing that I wonder about (since I don't own a laptop yet) is
whether or not a retail version of the operating system will always work on
all brands of laptops. I do know that some laptop manufacturers install
special proprietary versions of the OS, designed around that laptop's
particular hardware. So will installing a retail version of the operating
system ALWAYS work with laptops? Thanks.
 
Retail versions of Windows XP will work fine with laptop computers.
However, after installing Windows XP, you'll need to visit the support
website of the laptop manufacturer to download the specialized
Windows XP compatible drivers designed for your specific laptop model.
(i.e. Video Adapter, Audio, PCMCIA, Modem, Keyboard, Touchpad, etc.)

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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|I have built many desktop computers from scratch, and always use retail
| versions of the operating system. That way I can do a clean re-install at
| any time, and avoid the clutter of all the extra and usually useless "stuff"
| that comes with the Restore disks that many computer retailers include.
| However, one thing that I wonder about (since I don't own a laptop yet) is
| whether or not a retail version of the operating system will always work on
| all brands of laptops. I do know that some laptop manufacturers install
| special proprietary versions of the OS, designed around that laptop's
| particular hardware. So will installing a retail version of the operating
| system ALWAYS work with laptops? Thanks.
 
Papa said:
I have built many desktop computers from scratch, and always use retail
versions of the operating system. That way I can do a clean re-install at
any time, and avoid the clutter of all the extra and usually useless "stuff"
that comes with the Restore disks that many computer retailers include.
However, one thing that I wonder about (since I don't own a laptop yet) is
whether or not a retail version of the operating system will always work on
all brands of laptops. I do know that some laptop manufacturers install
special proprietary versions of the OS, designed around that laptop's
particular hardware. So will installing a retail version of the operating
system ALWAYS work with laptops? Thanks.
Click to expand...

The only problem might be drivers. On some occasions when trying to download
drivers from the manufacturer's web site, I've found the unhelpful advice
that current drivers are on the installation CD. In cases like that, they
only post new and/or updated drivers, and not the original versions.

Sometimes you can get around it by digging up generic drivers.

The good news, though, is that this seems to be less of a problem with XP
than with previous OSs since XP seems to have a whole lot more drivers.
 
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