Windows XP or Vista

[Ralph]

It seems that Vista has a few issues, so thinking on going back to Xp OS on my Vista OS, how many times can you use your own XP OS disk? Assuming also that the programs installed on Vista will be gone?

[ReadMeToo]

Ralph

Pick up another HD so you do not have to redue everythiing if you with to go back to Vista, Ive usd my 3 XP sp2 disc 10 or 12 times , when time to call in to activate just tell MS that your drive crashed , they will reissue with no problem but save yourself some time and keep 2 drives so you can go back and forth .

[Tony]

Ralph

Pick up another HD so you do not have to redue everythiing if you with to go back to Vista, Ive usd my 3 XP sp2 disc 10 or 12 times , when time to call in to activate just tell MS that your drive crashed , they will reissue with no problem but save yourself some time and keep 2 drives so you can go back and forth .

Sound advice Ralph!!:)

[Charlie]

I'll echo ReadMeToo as well. Oh and be sure Ralph that you unhook the IDE and the power connector before installing XP and when you want to switch just unhook the other hdd and hook up the one you want. Dual booting isn't a good ideal for you to be honest Ralph and just may cause a bigger headache.

[Tony]

I'll echo ReadMeToo as well. Oh and be sure Ralph that you unhook the IDE and the power connector before installing XP and when you want to switch just unhook the other hdd and hook up the one you want. Dual booting isn't a good ideal for you to be honest Ralph and just may cause a bigger headache.

Dad agree's Ralph with Charlie!!:giggle:

[ReadMeToo]

Grandpa

agrees with kids Tony and Charlie

[Tony]

Grandpa

agrees with kids Tony and Charlie

Sorry Buddy but I am a grandpa too....but don't tell anyone..LOL:):)

[Vinman]

I have all you jokers beat bow to the old man!! LOL

[Tony]

I have all you jokers beat bow to the old man!! LOL

Great Grandpa....:Bow::Bow::Bow::wink:

[Vinman]

Thats better lol!

[ReadMeToo]

:naanaa:

[Tony]

Thats better lol!

I Kneel Before Zod!!

[Vinman]

Rotfalmao!!

[Ralph]

You guy's are NUTS, I'm totally confused now, uninstall the vista HD from the MOBO and before I do this transfer everything to my other seperate HD, then load the XP Disk on the new HD? Your youngest child Ralphie.

Will be posting on the DNC standard thread. By the way I found my new home HERE, where all the NUT"S hang around.

[Vinman]

Sorry ralph we got carried away! lol

[Charlie]

Ralph buy another hard drive remove the vista hard drive and install the new one now install XP and install the programs you wish. Do not use a transfer wizard in windows as I bet this will cause issues.

[Ralph]

Charlie, have a USB hard drive attached to the Vista Pc which is not the primary, it has alot of the Xp PC when it was formated a few weeks ago.

[Charlie]

Yes but you can't use a USB HDD to boot an OS though in case you didn't know.

[Ralph]

Did not know, so transfer everything to the USB HD, then format the Vista HD and install my windows Xp disk??

Will loose the Vista OS for good, oh well do not have a copy.

[Charlie]

Well if you buy another internal hdd and replace the vista one then you can use either as long as you swap out the hdd's.....

[Ralph]

Let me see If I understand, buy another internal hd install the Xp and the original or first hd will have the vista OS? Right?

[Tony]

Let me see If I understand, buy another internal hd install the Xp and the original or first hd will have the vista OS? Right?

buy another internal hard drive yes and remove the one in the machine that has Vista now......... install the new hard drive and install xp that way with a few minutes work you can go between Vista and Xp. if you have another hard drive slot which all pc's do all you would have to do is just swap the wires between the Vista Hard drive within your pc and the new one with xp you are going to install on if and when you buy a new hard drive...:)

[Ralph]

Gotcha, I think have a extra Hd, but believe that is noy compatible with the SATA or whatever is called, came from my XP. Not sure if have an extra slot for another HD on my vista.

Well it's 12:12 AM here, so cu on Sat???? heck it's Saturday already here.

[Tony]

Gotcha, I think have a extra Hd, but believe that is noy compatible with the SATA or whatever is called, came from my XP. Not sure if have an extra slot for another HD on my vista.

Well it's 12:12 AM here, so cu on Sat???? heck it's Saturday already here.

If your pc has a Sata Hard drive just buy another Sata hard drive its as simple as that and they are cheap Buddy!!

[Ralph]

In today's BB weekly add has a 320GB 3.5" Serial-ATA Internal HD for $60 after $60 savings. The problem is loading everything all over again.

[Charlie]

In today's BB weekly add has a 320GB 3.5" Serial-ATA Internal HD for $60 after $60 savings. The problem is loading everything all over again.

This is what's suggested though and truly can be called a clean install.

[Ralph]

Charlie, the HD price is great but who would go to BB today the lines will be super long, if I understand if they have a merchandise for sale and do not have it in stock then a raincheck is issue, within the week of the sale. So the 27Th sounda like a good day.

[Charlie]

Order it online then print up the receipt and go through the checkout they usually have one specifically for online purchases and get it then.

[Ralph]

How do I know what type of Drive, I need Sata or Ata have the Vista currently apart and it seems that whatever drive I buy, might have to put in on the bottom of the shell.

[Charlie]

Well if you have an IDE connector open use that, if you have a sata I prefer you to get that as it is easier to switch hdd's.

[Ralph]

Do you see any problems putting the Hd at the bottom if it is the only place that it would fit?

[Charlie]

I have 2 320 gigs in my rig now so no issues.

[Ralph]

Well they are sold out on line and store, so have to look else where.

[ReadMeToo]

Ralph how many bays do you have in frony of your pc.

IF YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE EMPTY BAY . GO BUY 2 QUICK REMOVAL SLIDES THEN YOU CAN INSTALL QUICK REMOVAL SLIDES FOR YOUR SATA OR ide WHICH EVER YOU HAVE . IN FRONT DRIVE BAY

MOUNT THE SLIDES ON BOTH "HD's RUN THE PROPER CABLE TO THE BACK OF THE SLIDE KIT.

RALPH AT THIS POINT YOU CAN NOW GO BETWEEN BOTH OS'S ANY TIME WITH NO PROBLEMS .. BE SURE TO TURN OFF PC BEFORE REMOVAL

Just load your Xp on the new drive and only put what is needed to back up your movies" AND NOTHING ELSE" .

Requires one philps screw driver and about 10 min to install, less than 1 hr to install new OS and DVD software " may take longer to install all XP updates but download SP3 and that solves that.

KEEP AND EYE ON FRY;S ONLINE THEY JUST HAD 500 GIG SATA ONSALE

Good burning

[Ralph]

Ralph how many bays do you have in frony of your pc.

IF YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE EMPTY BAY . BUY YOU CAN INSTALL QUICK REMOVAL SLIDES FOR YOUR SATA OR ide WHICH EVER YOU HAVE .

MOUNT THE SLIDES ON BOTH "HD's RUN THE PROPER CABLE TO THE BACK OF THE SLIDE KIT.

RALPH AT THIS POINT YOU CAN NOW GO BETWEEN BOTH OS'S ANY TIME WITH NO PROBLEMS .. BE SURE TO TURN OFF PC BEFORE REMOVAL

Just load your Xp on the new drive and only put what is needed to back up your movies" AND NOTHING ELSE" .

Requires one philps screw driver and about 10 min to install, less than 1 hr to install new OS and DVD software " may take longer to install all XP updates but download SP3 and that solves that.

KEEP AND EYE ON FRY;S ONLINE THEY JUST HAD 500 GIG SATA ONSALE

Good burning


Read, thanks for the info. Just fixed one of my dvd door tray that the spring somehow got disconnected and it would not open, so looked inside the Vista and it appears that might have one open bay, but worse come to worse could put the drive on bottom of Cpu.

Was browsing at Newegg and they have a WD Caviar drive 250Gb deliverd for $70. will look around for Sata no big hurry. Have a seagate usb hooked up to this system also.

Really do not know if I'ts the Vista or my IE, that causing some items not downloading from my browser.:frown:

[ReadMeToo]

Ralph How Many In Front Bays Do You Have.

[Ralph]

None, put a extra DVD burner in the one that was empty.

[HemiDog]

None, put a extra DVD burner in the one that was empty.

Ralph, You should have 2 different sized bays. Usually 2 or 3 51/2 inch bays for DVD or CD burners. The other 31/2 inch bays are for hard drives & you should have 2 or more of these. :wink:

[Ralph]

Have one with some sort of cable or wire to the front of the bay, God knows what it is? the cable is plugged to something in the front of the CPU, and if it wasn't for the cable the bay would be empty.

[HemiDog]

Do you have any USB ports in front of the PC ?

[Ralph]

Yes, if you are reffering to a add on USB HD have one already, should be a slave drive, right?

[Charlie]

Ralph look inside your PC and see if you have something like this at the bottom of the tower? It may not look just like this but close to it.

http://www.nexustek.nl/morpho/hdd_holder.jpg

[Ralph]

Question in reference to my Vista PC; currently have as hard drives of 282GB main and Seagate free agent 300GB, now on my XP system 75GB in which 64GB is free. Have Maxtor with 120GB that is just sitting around doing nothing EIDE Type.

If I was to disconnect the Vista 282 GB and install the Maxtor EIDE with the 120 GB and install it with my windows XP disk. That would give me a total of 520 GB in the Vista and would not have to buy a new HD. Would this work, and the Vista would just be inside my PC. If I was gong to buy another HD Newegg has them for $70 for a SATA Western digital OEM what is the difference between a SATA and an ATA?


MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Ralph]

Ralph look inside your PC and see if you have something like this at the bottom of the tower? It may not look just like this but close to it.

http://www.nexustek.nl/morpho/hdd_holder.jpg


Close but no cigar.

[Charlie]

No Ralph. as the CP is only going to see the 120 gig hdd as the 280 gig is going to be disconected but not removed.

[HemiDog]

Question in reference to my Vista PC; currently have as hard drives of 282GB main and Seagate free agent 300GB, now on my XP system 75GB in which 64GB is free. Have Maxtor with 120GB that is just sitting around doing nothing EIDE Type.

If I was to disconnect the Vista 282 GB and install the Maxtor EIDE with the 120 GB and install it with my windows XP disk. That would give me a total of 520 GB in the Vista and would not have to buy a new HD. Would this work, and the Vista would just be inside my PC. If I was gong to buy another HD Newegg has them for $70 for a SATA Western digital OEM what is the difference between a SATA and an ATA?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Go here Ralph

What is SATA or Serial ATA? (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-sata-or-serial-ata.htm)

[Ralph]

So, it would be safe to buy a Sata Hd, my Vista was bought on or about 3/2007 at BB. Which is better Seagate or Western Digital in general.

So If I install a new Hd would have to remove the Vista HD? was under the impression that would only have to switch one cable to go beetween both, Xp an Vista.

[Charlie]

No need to remove it unless you need the slot to put the new hdd in if you have room to add the second hdd then just put the new hdd in and unplug the sata connector and the power connector to the vista drive to instal xp on the new one,

[HemiDog]

So, it would be safe to buy a Sata Hd, my Vista was bought on or about 3/2007 at BB. Which is better Seagate or Western Digital in general.

So If I install a new Hd would have to remove the Vista HD? was under the impression that would only have to switch one cable to go beetween both, Xp an Vista.

Ralph, Sorry if this has been asked already, but what system did you buy? Manufacturer,model, etc.

[Ralph]

Hp Pavillion RK574AA-ABA a170n. Board: ASUStek Computer INC., anyone which Hd is better as far as reliablity Western or Seagate?

[Vinman]

I like Western over Seagate

[Vinman]

I think this is it!
Description: Pavilion a1730n Desktop
Manufacturer: HP (Hewlett-Packard)
Quick Glance
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Type: AMD Athlon 64 X2
Included Drives: DVD+-RW Dual Layer Combination Drive, Hard Drive
Included Monitor: No
Included Devices: Keyboard, Mouse
Video Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE
AMD Model: 4600+
Hard Drive Size: 320000
Installed Memory: 2000
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Processor
Number of Installed Processors: 1
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
AMD Model: 4600+
Processor Class: AMD Athlon 64 X2
Memory
Memory Socket: DIMM
Memory Technology: DDR2
Max System Memory: 4 GB
Installed Memory: 2 GB
System
Interface Type: Audio - Center/Bass Out (1/8" mini) , Audio - Line In (1/8" Mini) , Audio - Line Out (1/8" Mini) , Audio - Microphone In (1/8" Mini) , Audio - RCA Digital Coax (S/PDIF) , Audio - Side Surround Out (1/8" mini) , Ethernet - RJ45 Twisted-Pair (XBaseT) , Fi
Drive Controllers: Serial ATA II
Cache Size: 1 MB
Bus Speed: 1 GHz
System Chipset: nVIDIA nForce 430
Expansion Slots
Slots: CompactFlash , Memory Stick , Memory Stick PRO , Microdrive , MultiMedia Card (MMC) , SD Card , SmartMedia , xD-Picture Card
Number of PCI-Express x16 Slots: 1
Number of PCI Slots: 3
Storage
DVD-ROM Read Speed: 16 X (DVD, DVD-R)
CD Write Speed: 40 X (CD,CD-R)
CD Rewrite Speed: 32 X (CD,CD-R)
CD-ROM Read Speed: 40 X (CD,CD-R)
DVD Rewrite Speed: 8 X (DVD, DVD-R)
DVD-R DL Speed: 8 X (DVD, DVD-R)
Hard Drive Capacity: 320 GB
Number of Hard Drives Included: 1
DVD Write Speed: 16 X (DVD, DVD-R)
DVD+R DL Speed: 8 X (DVD, DVD-R)
Included Drives: DVD+-RW Dual Layer Combination Drive , Hard Drive
Features
Included Printer: No
Included Devices: Keyboard , Mouse
Display
Included Monitor: No
Multimedia
Audio Codec: Realtek ALC 888
Included Speakers: No
Max Shared Video Memory: 128 MB
Video Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE
Video Bus: PCI Express x16
Video Integration: Motherboard
Modem / Networking
Modem Speed: 56 Kbps
Modem Type: Data/FAX
Included Network Card: Ethernet (10/100 Mbps)
Software
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Case
Width: 7.17 in
Depth: 17 in
Weight: 24 lbs
Height: 15 in
Number of Internal Bays 3.5: 1
Chassis Color: Silver
Number of Externally Accessible 3.5 Bays: 1
Number of Externally Accessible 5.25 Bays: 2
Chassis Style: Tower (Mini)
Warranty
Warranty Information: 1 Year Limited Warranty
More Info
URL: Manufacturer Link

[Charlie]

I like Western over Seagate

I will agree as well.

[HemiDog]

Seagate is quieter (in my opinion):)

[Vinman]

but I think western is more reliable lol!:)
It comes down to user prefence Ralph you cant go wrong with either one!

[Charlie]

Seagates are really fast on transfer but WD's are more reliable from my own person usages.

[Vinman]

hemidog look at my sig Im running both lol! there both great drives
just yanking your chain! :giggle:

[ReadMeToo]

Seagate here, but its what Wakmart closes out near me , I get a call that there marking them way down and if I am interested in buying the lot , I race down pick put all the larger drive give them my Employee family card get 10 more % off and most of the time there Seagate, Ill run them in my Raid all 400's and all USB aray 8- 400's
not counting all the switch up drives with different Os's on them all Seagate.

Use to run WD'S

I buy whats cheap at Walley World ,I am 25 miles from closest big town. Walmart 5 miles an can order online and have delivery to store with no extra charge plus my discount.

[Charlie]

Allot of good choices on newegg at reasonable prices too.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010150014+1035915133+1035507776+1035407760&name=16MB)

[Vinman]

Seagate here, but its what Wakmart closes out near me , I get a call that there marking them way down and if I am interested in buying the lot , I race down pick put all the larger drive give them my Employee family card get 10 more % off and most of the time there Seagate, Ill run them in my Raid all 400's and all USB aray 8- 400's
not counting all the switch up drives with different Os's on them all Seagate.

Use to run WD'S

I buy whats cheap at Walley World ,I am 25 miles from closest big town. Walmart 5 miles an can order online and have delivery to store with no extra charge plus my discount.

funny you should mention that as an associate I also get a discount there lol!!:giggle:

[HemiDog]

Ralph, After reading & rereading all the posts in this thread, & looking at your computer specs,this is what you need to do. (in my opinion)
1. Buy an internal SATA harddrive
2. Remove your existing SATA harddrive that has Vista installed. (Do NOT format it)
3. Install yoir new SATA harddrive & install your Windows XP
4. Because you do not have an available bay to install two harddrives you will need to store the one with Vista somewhere safe. (you can leave it laying inside the case if you want)
5. If you should decide to go back to Vista, you simply unplug the power & data cables from your XP drive & plug them into your Vista drive. (Make sure the computer is powered OFF before doing any of this)
6. You can leave your XP drive mounted where it is when switching to your Vista drive if you want.
Sorry this is so longwinded but it seems to be (in my opinion) the best solution for you. Hope it helps buddy. :)

[Vinman]

back to the questionat hand does he have a spare spot for the extra drive

[ReadMeToo]

1:e4 (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Opening_theory_in_chess/1._e4) e5 (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Opening_theory_in_chess/1._e4/1...e5)
2:Nf3 f5!? (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Opening_theory_in_chess/1._e4/1...e5/2._Nf3/2...f5)

your move

LOL

[Vinman]

good advice from hemidog ralph!

[HemiDog]

not according to the specs on his computer (HP a1730n Number of Internal Bays 3.5: 1)

[Ralph]

Will, store the Vista HD on bottom of Pc Shell. Thanks Hemi and the rest of the Gang.

[HemiDog]

You're welcome Ralph. Good Luck :great:great

[ReadMeToo]

Booting Windows from USB Storage Devices (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/usb-boot.mspx)

[HemiDog]

ReadMeToo, From what I can find & read on that subject, it is not yet possible to boot to a Windows OS but they are working on it. If you know of something I'm not aware of please let me know. :)

[Charlie]

There is a XP and a Vista USB boot off the thumb drive but it's not legal.

[ReadMeToo]

Walk in the nearest Walmart go to the Toshiba Laptop case, An take a gander , there new laptop that Walmart is handling has no HD in it is external only.

External thumb drives boot ups are here I ment to post the how to on my back room page yet ,

[Vinman]

Readmetoo do you know what running pricewise I mean!

[ReadMeToo]

they have it priced at 549.00

[Vinman]

I will have the wife look into it as I dont own a laptop as of yet!
But who knows what Santa will bring!!:biggrin:

[ReadMeToo]

From what I see , SATA cards are here for the PC and Laptop external drives are here Toshiba has done it .

I have 2= 2 port SATA cards coming for one of my test toys.

So 2008 gonna be fun