Last night, a friend told me that I'm getting a new laptop (as a gift) for the Dec. 25 holiday. Because it is a gift, and I don't want to come across as greedy or anything, I'll gleefully accept the HP (brand), which is what I have now (and is on its last days).

I've read that some people have had major headaches working with Vista, and others? Little to no problems.

What I'm wondering is: Since I hold a license or PID for XP O/S (raw/clean installation CDs), would I mess up a new 'puter if run into too many conflicts with software apps. I need and I overwrite Vista? (by installing XP)?

My son brought home a used 03 Hp desktop that wouldn't even run my XP to do an install. I had to order a replacement CD from HP but I ended up doing a complete rebuild after all with new MB and CPU so then I could only use my person XP CD to install .
I think many of the name brands use proprietary software.
Something in the MB or bios that is specific to the brand- doesn't let you run your personal Windows CDs to install or re install.

You might be able to copy/install the XP as a secondary boot system and use it that way{ not sure though}then leave Vista on it but don't use it??

I did set my aunts new laptop {Toshiba/ Vista}up for her and changed all settings to Classic look but she isn't a heavy pc user - but she hasn't called me with any problems.

Thanks, Jo .

I'm also wondering, and possibly you know since you've seen/worked on a 'puter with Vista, whether, within software apps.' properties (once an app. is installed on a Vista O/S), the "Compatibility" mode can be changed - as can be done on XP platforms.

As long as it's a new 'puter, and I've not spent hours and hours installing apps., only to discover something just ain't working right, I don't mind tinkering or tweaking. I've not "broken" anything yet on a 'puter by trial-and-error, so I figure I can do the same with the new one - and roll back to manufacturer specs. if I do happen to run into something that messes things up.

all I did for my aunt was set up her email, browsers {IE & FF} , make it look similar to her old laptop - xp home- classic look.
mainly the preferences and basic settings.
i didn't really use any programs other than a quick check to make sure they would open for her.
I'm pretty sure that Vista has a lot of the same things XP has plus more stuff.



found this-
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...XP&btnG=Search
one of the article says if pre loaded Vista will work fine but if you buy and install on a older machine that is when things will most likely be problematic.

Maybe I'm giving Murphy's Law too much credence; given what you've noted, I probably should give the new 'puter a fair chance before anticipating what could need tweaking .

I'll read some of the pages - from your search-link - this evening, Jo.

congrats on the laptop bobbi!

sorry can't help on the vista stuff.