In reference to a post by "Technically Challenged";

I've had numerous issues with Vista; most recently I've been through 2 full
system restores. It seems to be an ongoing issue with no support or help of
getting the original issue solved. I have an OEM (assumably) version of Vista
that came with my Gateway system. I have two questions:

1. Can I downgrade to XP Home or Pro without buying a retail copy?
2. If so, where do I go to get a version of XP?

I've been told by Gateway that, by choosing to downgrade, it will void my
warranty. Additionally, I was told to do a Google search on my downgrade
options. At this point, I'm beyond frustration and have had no luck with
Gateways' Customer Service line. Any help would be further than where I am
now.....

Your warranty would be void as you're modifying the system is a way that is
not supported by warranty.

However if you reinstalled Vista later on then your warranty would once
again be in effect.

What issues are you having that are not resolved?

I'd like to help you get it fixed before you try to go buy XP and install
it.


"Enaggs33" <Enaggs33@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FC29999F-E640-4885-ABC9-908A7C489BB9@microsoft.com...
> In reference to a post by "Technically Challenged";
>
> I've had numerous issues with Vista; most recently I've been through 2
> full
> system restores. It seems to be an ongoing issue with no support or help
> of
> getting the original issue solved. I have an OEM (assumably) version of
> Vista
> that came with my Gateway system. I have two questions:
>
> 1. Can I downgrade to XP Home or Pro without buying a retail copy?
> 2. If so, where do I go to get a version of XP?
>
> I've been told by Gateway that, by choosing to downgrade, it will void my
> warranty. Additionally, I was told to do a Google search on my downgrade
> options. At this point, I'm beyond frustration and have had no luck with
> Gateways' Customer Service line. Any help would be further than where I am
> now.....
>

If you have information on how to downgrade to XP, please pass it over. If
I didn't have software compatibility issues and less available resources,
then I'd be happier about running Vista. However, I need to run my programs
without issues. I ran some searches, but I couldn't find any information
regarding Vista to XP Pro downgrade possibilities for retail users. Plenty
of info about OEM and enterprise editions, but nothing that seems to say
that I'd qualify for a downgrade.

I love the Vista visual aspect, but even with the quality system I have, I'm
not really satisfied with my Vista experience. At present time, XP would
offer much more to me.


"Shane Nokes" <Morpheus_Phreak@nospam.msn.com> wrote in message
news:eSMYJCraHHA.1388@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Your warranty would be void as you're modifying the system is a way that
> is not supported by warranty.
>
> However if you reinstalled Vista later on then your warranty would once
> again be in effect.
>
> What issues are you having that are not resolved?
>
> I'd like to help you get it fixed before you try to go buy XP and install
> it.
>
>
> "Enaggs33" <Enaggs33@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:FC29999F-E640-4885-ABC9-908A7C489BB9@microsoft.com...
>> In reference to a post by "Technically Challenged";
>>
>> I've had numerous issues with Vista; most recently I've been through 2
>> full
>> system restores. It seems to be an ongoing issue with no support or help
>> of
>> getting the original issue solved. I have an OEM (assumably) version of
>> Vista
>> that came with my Gateway system. I have two questions:
>>
>> 1. Can I downgrade to XP Home or Pro without buying a retail copy?
>> 2. If so, where do I go to get a version of XP?
>>
>> I've been told by Gateway that, by choosing to downgrade, it will void my
>> warranty. Additionally, I was told to do a Google search on my downgrade
>> options. At this point, I'm beyond frustration and have had no luck with
>> Gateways' Customer Service line. Any help would be further than where I
>> am
>> now.....
>>

I've been wanting to downgrade Vista on this Gateway, too. I've
thought about asking Gateway, but nice to know you did already. It
seems like we have to find our own media and our own product key to
downgrade. Do you know if Gateway would provide us with an XP product
key?

The downgrade is available for Vista Ultimate and Vista Business
according to:

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...rade_chart.doc

"Rights to OEM versions of systems software are granted in the OEM
License Terms. The OEM License Terms for most OEM versions of systems
software do not grant downgrade rights. The exception is the OEM
License Terms for the Windows® XP Professional operating system and
the Windows Vistaâ„¢ Business and Windows Vista Ultimate operating
systems, which grant downgrade rights. See the full text of the OEM
License Terms for the specific downgrade rights."

"Can I downgrade my OEM version of Windows Vista Business to Windows
XP Professional?
Yes. OEM downgrade rights for desktop PC operating systems apply to
Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate as stated in the
License Terms. Please note, OEM downgrade versions of Windows Vista
Business and Windows Vista Ultimate are limited to Windows XP
Professional (including Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP
x64 Edition). End users can use the following media for their
downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume
Licensing agreement), retail (FPP), or system builder hologram CD
(provided the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft
OEM System Builder License). Use of the downgraded operating system is
governed by the Windows Vista Business License Terms, and the end user
cannot use both the downgrade operating system and Windows Vista
Business. There are no downgrade rights granted for Windows Vista Home
Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium."





On Mar 20, 1:09Â*am, Enaggs33 <Enagg...@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:
> In reference to a post by "Technically Challenged";
>
> I've had numerous issues with Vista; most recently I've been through 2 full
> system restores. It seems to be an ongoing issue with no support or help of
> getting the original issue solved. I have an OEM (assumably) version of Vista
> that came with my Gateway system. I have two questions:
>
> 1. Can I downgrade to XP Home or Pro without buying a retail copy?
> 2. If so, where do I go to get a version of XP?
>
> I've been told by Gateway that, by choosing to downgrade, it will void my
> warranty. Additionally, I was told to do a Google search on my downgrade
> options. At this point, I'm beyond frustration and have had no luck with
> Gateways' Customer Service line. Any help would be further than where I am
> now.....

According to "Vista Validation Support - MS" from
http://forums.microsoft.com/genuine/...9956&SiteID=25
"You'll need to contact your OEM to figure out how to do this since
they're managing your licensing rights at this point."


On Mar 20, 3:37 am, "recurr" <rec...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've been wanting to downgrade Vista on this Gateway, too. I've
> thought about asking Gateway, but nice to know you did already. It
> seems like we have to find our own media and our own product key to
> downgrade. Do you know if Gateway would provide us with an XP product
> key?
>

I just emailed Gateway and asked how to downgrade since Gateway is
managing my licensing rights.

On Mar 20, 3:41 am, "recurr" <rec...@gmail.com> wrote:
> According to "Vista Validation Support - MS" fromhttp://forums.microsoft.com/genuine/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1259956&Site...
> "You'll need to contact your OEM to figure out how to do this since
> they're managing your licensing rights at this point."
>
> On Mar 20, 3:37 am, "recurr" <rec...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I've been wanting to downgrade Vista on this Gateway, too. I've
> > thought about asking Gateway, but nice to know you did already. It
> > seems like we have to find our own media and our own product key to
> > downgrade. Do you know if Gateway would provide us with an XP product
> > key?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

"Enaggs33" <Enaggs33@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FC29999F-E640-4885-ABC9-908A7C489BB9@microsoft.com...
> In reference to a post by "Technically Challenged";
>
> I've had numerous issues with Vista; most recently I've been through 2
> full
> system restores. It seems to be an ongoing issue with no support or help
> of
> getting the original issue solved. I have an OEM (assumably) version of
> Vista
> that came with my Gateway system. I have two questions:
>
> 1. Can I downgrade to XP Home or Pro without buying a retail copy?
> 2. If so, where do I go to get a version of XP?
>
> I've been told by Gateway that, by choosing to downgrade, it will void my
> warranty. Additionally, I was told to do a Google search on my downgrade
> options. At this point, I'm beyond frustration and have had no luck with
> Gateways' Customer Service line. Any help would be further than where I am
> now.....
>


My understanding of downgrade rights is that OEM versions of Vista include
downgrade rights to the appropriate version of XP (i.e. Home to Home) The
OEM supplier is not bound to supply you with media or a key for this. You
will somehow have to get your own media and key to install it. Once
installed if the key has been used before on another computer you will have
to use the phone activation method, explain what you have done, and the
installation will be activated. This is how it is supposed to work. If it
does is anybody's guess at this point. If you try it please let us know your
results.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca

"recurr" <recurr@gmail.com> wrote:

> I just emailed Gateway and asked how to downgrade since Gateway is
> managing my licensing rights.

Would you please report Gateway's reply here? It seems others have the
same question and the information would be most welcome.

The only way to "downgrade" is either by buying an XP license and clean
installing, or begging your OEM to give you an XP license at which point you
completely forfeit your Vista license (if they are even willing to do so at
all).

There's no special tricks or anything involved and as stated it does void
the warranty.

What issues are you having, and what hardware is in that "quality" system?


"Simon Berube" <sbberube@cfl.rr.com> wrote in message
news:1713C5B6-09A7-486C-9492-EA5B88B24974@microsoft.com...
> If you have information on how to downgrade to XP, please pass it over.
> If I didn't have software compatibility issues and less available
> resources, then I'd be happier about running Vista. However, I need to
> run my programs without issues. I ran some searches, but I couldn't find
> any information regarding Vista to XP Pro downgrade possibilities for
> retail users. Plenty of info about OEM and enterprise editions, but
> nothing that seems to say that I'd qualify for a downgrade.
>
> I love the Vista visual aspect, but even with the quality system I have,
> I'm not really satisfied with my Vista experience. At present time, XP
> would offer much more to me.
>
>
> "Shane Nokes" <Morpheus_Phreak@nospam.msn.com> wrote in message
> news:eSMYJCraHHA.1388@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Your warranty would be void as you're modifying the system is a way that
>> is not supported by warranty.
>>
>> However if you reinstalled Vista later on then your warranty would once
>> again be in effect.
>>
>> What issues are you having that are not resolved?
>>
>> I'd like to help you get it fixed before you try to go buy XP and install
>> it.
>>
>>
>> "Enaggs33" <Enaggs33@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:FC29999F-E640-4885-ABC9-908A7C489BB9@microsoft.com...
>>> In reference to a post by "Technically Challenged";
>>>
>>> I've had numerous issues with Vista; most recently I've been through 2
>>> full
>>> system restores. It seems to be an ongoing issue with no support or help
>>> of
>>> getting the original issue solved. I have an OEM (assumably) version of
>>> Vista
>>> that came with my Gateway system. I have two questions:
>>>
>>> 1. Can I downgrade to XP Home or Pro without buying a retail copy?
>>> 2. If so, where do I go to get a version of XP?
>>>
>>> I've been told by Gateway that, by choosing to downgrade, it will void
>>> my
>>> warranty. Additionally, I was told to do a Google search on my downgrade
>>> options. At this point, I'm beyond frustration and have had no luck with
>>> Gateways' Customer Service line. Any help would be further than where I
>>> am
>>> now.....
>>>
>

This is the response I received from Gateway.

Thank you for your e-mail. If you wish to downgrade the Operating
System of your Gateway GM5424 computer to Windows XP Professional, you
will need to purchase and install a retail version for this Operating
System.

Once Windows XP is installed, drivers must be loaded that will work
with
this Operating System. You may try installing the drivers available
from this link:

http://support.gateway.com/support/d...asp?pn=1014151

Note: In some cases, drivers for Windows Vista work with Windows XP
Operating System. However, we cannot guarantee all divers will work
since you are going to use retail copy of Windows XP operating system.

Please note that Gateway does not support changing of Operating
System.
Any support for third party software should come directly from the
manufacturer.

For your reference, I have also provided here the link for the
specifications of the motherboard of your computer that you may use
when
searching for the drivers in case drivers from the link above will not
work:

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERB...6159Rsp2.shtml

Before you proceed with the downgrade process, it is advisable that
you
create first a copy Drivers and Application CD so that in case you
decide to restore the Windows Vista, you can have the chance restore
the
factory settings of your computer using this CD including the
Operating
System using the Restore DVD shipped with your computer. You can
refer
to this link for instructions:

http://support.gateway.com/s/softwar...15506su7.shtml

This option is used to create a backup copy of the drivers and
applications that are included with the computer. This backup copy
does
not include the operating system. The backup created during this
process
is burned within the eMachines Recovery Center and should be labeled
and
stored in a safe place.

I hope you find this information useful in addressing your concern.

I have documented this correspondence in Case Number (removed) in our
contact tracking database. Please use this number in the future if
you
need to contact us again regarding this issue.

Please reply to this message if you require further assistance with
this
issue. If your reply is received while I am out of the office, to
ensure a speedy resolution, your issue will be handled by one of my
colleagues.

Sincerely,

(removed)
(removed)

On Mar 20, 11:40 am, "David R. Norton, MVP Shell/User"
<d_r_nor...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> "recurr" <rec...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I just emailed Gateway and asked how to downgrade since Gateway is
> > managing my licensing rights.
>
> Would you please report Gateway's reply here? It seems others have the
> same question and the information would be most welcome.