Author Topic: Can I dump Vista and go back to XP ? (Read 4861 times)

Jerry · « **on:** January 15, 2008, 08:09:56 AM »

and...NOT lose my stuff? I do have an external hard drive that backs up weekly.

Timgod · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2008, 10:27:42 AM »

Jerry,
Didn't this come on a new computer you bought about a year ago?
If so then you would have to buy a new copy of XP, format the drive and reinstall everything.
You could also partition the hard drive and dual boot both XP & Vista.
Your hardware is not software dependant so you can take your pick.
Both are a bit technical so you might be better off paying someone to do the dirty work.

Either way you should be able to back up all data ie... music, pictures etc. The hardest part of that is searching for everything and making sure you back it all up. Don't forget contacts, text files, favorites etc. etc.
It is a lot of work and pretty time consuming depending on how much software you have installed. I got a nasty bug in my laptop a few months back and had to format to kill it. I have only reinstalled about 20 gigs of software and data. I have a lot more but am just installing software as I need it at this point.

Tim

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2008, 11:43:05 AM »

I don't have the new Vista that comes with most new computers but I have heard remarks from my son with his and a few others who have it. Definitely different and trying to get use to it. I've seen the posts you had to go through with Vista, Jerry. Is it so bad that you want to go back?

Jerry · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2008, 12:56:00 PM »

Thanks Tim yes id use a pro if we do it.
Annette, My problem is I can't find files, photos especially, easily.
I upload pic from my camera and very hard to find them. Yes, I would designate where I put them if I saw any options.
I thought by now id have it figured out. :'(

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2008, 01:52:24 PM »

I recently read on another forum where they also didn't like Vista and took it in to have XP loaded onto it. I'm seriously thinking about making my next pc a Mac...

Jerry · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2008, 05:55:08 PM »

I hear only nice things about MAC
Id be happy with vista, but spend a ton of time searching!

Mikey, the plants I got from you are growing like mad. Will take pics soon.
Just hope I can find the pics! :'(

El Jefe · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:13:34 PM »

Jerry if it is just the windows OS Interface that is giving you issues try changing the theme to "classic mode" and that will bring back much of the XP familiarity. maybe you can have the best of both worlds. Andy

Jerry · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2008, 08:46:50 PM »

Theme? Classic Mode? where how?

El Jefe · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2008, 06:20:54 AM »

Right click on your desktop anywhere on the wallpaper/background you will get a dialog box that comes up. at the bottom you will see 'personalize' select that.

a 'Personalize appearance and sounds' dialog box will come up. look down the list and you will see 'theme' select this.

this third dialog box is where you want to make your changes. You will see "theme:" in the center of the box and under it is a pull down, select the arrow to the right (triangle pointing down)

select the "Windows Classic" and click on "apply" then "OK"

This will return the look of your computer to Windows XP mode. If all your having is funtionality issues because of the difference in how it all looks then this should help as it will all become familiar. This does not change the fact that it is still Vista and will operate a little differently. Stilll for purposes of Navigation this may be what you need. If not let me know.

Andy

Jerry · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2008, 09:25:14 AM »

El Jefe, sounds amazing. No DELL expert has come up with that. I will proceed cautiously and see what can be done, Sounds remakable!
I will post once I know something.

Thank you

Mikey · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2008, 09:40:08 AM »

What happened to the good old days when "navigation" meant you were looking for an island.... sigh.....

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2008, 11:38:36 AM »

Andy to the rescue!! You make computerese all so easy for us, thanks! Of course I do not have Vista but I know now what to do if I do get it.

Jerry · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2008, 01:11:44 PM »

Ok I did it and the "look" is like old. As far as navigation goes, no differece as of yet. Hopefully I will learn more. Very nice Andy! Anette said it all!

El Jefe · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2008, 06:30:55 PM »

Jerry how do you usually "Navigate" I usually right click on the the Start button and select "explore" the directory tree will populate. then I just surf to the folder I am looking for. see if that works better for you. Andy

Thanks Annette and Jerry for the vote of confidence.

AZ

Jerry · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2008, 11:20:12 PM »

HHHmmm not that way, I don't think. Will try.
I used to minimize a screen and drag stuff to a folder. With vista not all screens can be minimized. So I get stuck.
Also when I upload photos I SEEM NOT TO GET A CHOICE AS TO WHERE THEY WILL GO. iD PREFER "mY pICTURES.

Where do you see "Explore?" I sure can't.

Mikey · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2008, 08:48:16 AM »

Hey I actually know the answer to that question Jerry....

In the lower left corner is your "Start" button. Right click on "Start".

Jerry · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2008, 09:19:15 AM »

I did get it. Just failed to rt click. Andy, this may have possibilities! I am able to minimize screens more easily.

Thanks

Jerry

Joyce · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2008, 08:15:08 PM »

Jerry, I have a new Dell computer system too with Vista.
I am having a NIGHTMARE getting all my art software to work,
and all my art software accessories like my Wacom Tablet.
(it's a pressure sensitive drawing tablet which allows you to sketch or draw artwork into the computer software programs.
pressure sensitive meaning it responds to pressure, the harder you press down, the thicker your lines or brushwork will get. It is even sensitive to the tilt of the stylus, giving you the ways and means to do calligraphy, or paint splatters, etc)
Also my landscape software will not run on it at all, wont even load from the CD.
Waterfall Guy emailed me at least a month ago asking me to to some art for his website,
and I promised him art back in about a week. (which isn't gonna happen with the problems I have been having.)

ALL my freelance work has been put on hold and is stacking up in a scary way.
I still can not get it finished because I can only work on it at work,
when my bosses aren't looking.
I emailed some art files home here to my old computer, and now that I unhooked my Wacom tablet from the Vista Computer,
and hooked it up to my old computer...won't work any more. Vista somehow corrupted it. :'( So I ordered a new Wacom, and have my computer guru on his way over this Wednesday to install it and see if he can resolve some of the Vista isues I have been having with the art software.
I hope Waterfall Guy hasn't given up on me!
I emailed him a week or so ago and have not heard back.

I need to be able to do freelance to help pay old new mortgage payment on our new house!

Jerry · « **Reply #18 on:** March 27, 2008, 11:03:16 PM »

Joyce, sorry I missed this , but see it now. I am getting better with Vista and a few "Experts" say it's the best!! So maybe? A few Radio dudes say so too. It is an adventure when I want to add or delete programs. If I could only speak Hindi!

Jerry · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2013, 03:02:01 PM »

I have become expert on Vista! Now I have a new computer (yrs later) my computer whiz insisted on Windows 7, LOL I now hate it! Oh to have vista back. I miss WORD, desperatley. i can buy it as well as other programs lost. What a bargain! I have my old hard drive and am contmplating a re install. I may need a pro to do it.
Any suggestions?

One reason i have not been posting photos is I can't find them!

SueSTx · « **Reply #20 on:** May 18, 2013, 07:26:24 PM »

Our new computer came with Windows 8...now that is a challenge

Jerry · « **Reply #21 on:** May 18, 2013, 08:42:17 PM »

My comp whiz forbade me to use Windows 8! He said it's a disaster!

I realize I will eventually learn 7 , but why spend the time and effort?

Good luck Sue!