I currently use Vista and I am disappointed with lack of drivers avaiable. If
I install the trial version of XP Pro 64bit, do I need to reinstall the full
version and all of the other software when the trial expires?
Before making the move to XP Pro 64 bit, check that drivers are available
for your hardware. The lack of drivers you're experiencing now could very
well be linked to 64-bit vs 32-bit rather than Vista vs XP.
If you decide to go ahead with 64 bit, you will have to install that
version clean and reinstall all of your other software. You can't do an
"in-place" install of XP over Vista.
Later, you'll have two choices when the XP Pro trial expires:
1) Supply a valid product key for XP Pro 64 bit - no need to reinstall
operating system and programs
2) Clean install an operating system that you do have a product key for and
reinstall all of your other software.
NOTE: It's always good practice to have a current backup but if you haven't
been doing that, make copies of your personal files (on other media) before
preparing the disk for a clean install.