wipe out vista-install XP : Possible?

xcflyn · 11-14-2012, 06:26 AM

I know stupid question right. Then many would say " WHY ? I own a couple older CNC machines and their software requires the older system to communicate and my older version of auto cad. I cant even tell you if its the fast cam/rs 3000 with the machine or if it is the auto cad (not too savvy with this side of things) , the fast cam is actually a dos based program and 100% key stokes ? I was told the older auto cad also wont like vista. My issue is that I have a few computers and the last one I purchased that was pre loaded with XP pro was a refurbished and I had a lot of issues with it. I can buy a new Dell or other over the next month (black friday or holiday sales) much cheaper then buying a refurbished with XP. Cost effective would be to buy a new computer then buy XP PRO and wipe the new and install pro. Not sure if it can be done and honestly have no clue as to how to do it, but one bridge at a time. feel free to PM me as this is probably not a topic of public interest

Multiplicity · 11-14-2012, 07:59 AM

Sure! Format the hard drive and do a clean install. No problem

fierostetz · 11-14-2012, 10:16 AM

it'd be a good idea to check out that model on dell's support site. you can use that to find out what drivers are required; make sure there are drivers available for what you're trying to do. When the vista switch occurred I ordered a bunch of dells for the school i work at. vista was no good so we tried to roll back to XP, but the motherboard had no XP drivers. We wound up going HP instead due to a more general build with no proprietary drivers required - just make sure whatever you buy has drivers available!

p0diabl0 · 11-14-2012, 12:53 PM

Easy as long as you have drivers available. Find that out FIRST and then put them on a flash drive so the computer isn't "stuck" when it doesn't know how to use the network card.

edit: re-reading your post, I think you would have better luck buying an xp computer from a local computer shop - they'd be far more willing to help you out than Dell/HP/etc.

SilkMoneyLove · 11-14-2012, 01:16 PM

What issues did you have? Did it crash a lot or what? The XP Pro system should work just fine. My old Dell from 2000 still runs and works perfectly for the kid watching Youtube and stuff.

Tigerdirect.com has refurb XP Pro systems for $90. Might be worth it to save yourself time and just buy another refurb?

troidus · 11-14-2012, 02:51 PM

Don't forget about virtualization. Your Vista system can host a full-blown XP installation in a virtual machine. It'll share/capture serial and USB ports, so anything you connect to the host should be accessible by XP.

bhorocks · 11-14-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troidus

Don't forget about virtualization. Your Vista system can host a full-blown XP installation in a virtual machine. It'll share/capture serial and USB ports, so anything you connect to the host should be accessible by XP.

vmware player.... Free to Boot..

xcflyn · 11-14-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilkMoneyLove

What issues did you have? Did it crash a lot or what? The XP Pro system should work just fine. My old Dell from 2000 still runs and works perfectly for the kid watching Youtube and stuff.

Tigerdirect.com has refurb XP Pro systems for $90. Might be worth it to save yourself time and just buy another refurb?

Kinda feeling like the easiest solution is to go refurb

aaronrkelly · 11-14-2012, 10:00 PM

I do this very often. There is a local aluminum extrusion factory that uses PCs to control all their various machines etc.

Because they are running on propriety software they must have XP on them.

I just order a generic Dell and then wipe em out and put XP Pro on it.

So far Ive YET to come across a PC (Vista or Windows 7) that I couldnt put XP on.

Some of the drivers are easier to find then others....but it can be done and Id guess with the age of your PC quite easily.

drxr650r · 11-17-2012, 08:08 PM

YEP,, Buy a Mac like i did.. i will never own another PC.. Because their just a Piece Crap

p0diabl0 · 11-18-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drxr650r

YEP,, Buy a Mac like i did.. i will never own another PC.. Because their just a Piece Crap

Well I'll be damned, turns out Macs don't have any sort of grammar check.
Amazing machines! They let you show the world how stupid you really are.

SilkMoneyLove · 11-19-2012, 07:40 AM

Don't see how getting a Mac will help with the OPs CNC machine since it appears to require XP.

Go refurb, save yourself time.

Worroll · 11-20-2012, 07:28 AM

You're lucky, at work we have a bunch of machines that need win98 to run the control software! All the CPU's have been dying on us lately, hard to find the old stuff. I'm kicking myself thinking of all the 386/486/early pentimum stuff I've thrown out over the years.

When we order some new regular work PC's we were able to 'downgrade' to XP, they came preinstalled with vista but came with a XP install disk, I don't think they charged anything for it.

Worroll · 11-20-2012, 07:32 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=Desktop%20PCs

You can get refurb boxes with XP for under $100 from these guys.

11-14-2012, 06:26 AM	#1
xcflyn ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Rocky Mountains Oddometer: 1,093	wipe out vista-install XP : Possible? I know stupid question right. Then many would say " WHY ? I own a couple older CNC machines and their software requires the older system to communicate and my older version of auto cad. I cant even tell you if its the fast cam/rs 3000 with the machine or if it is the auto cad (not too savvy with this side of things) , the fast cam is actually a dos based program and 100% key stokes ? I was told the older auto cad also wont like vista. My issue is that I have a few computers and the last one I purchased that was pre loaded with XP pro was a refurbished and I had a lot of issues with it. I can buy a new Dell or other over the next month (black friday or holiday sales) much cheaper then buying a refurbished with XP. Cost effective would be to buy a new computer then buy XP PRO and wipe the new and install pro. Not sure if it can be done and honestly have no clue as to how to do it, but one bridge at a time. feel free to PM me as this is probably not a topic of public interest

11-14-2012, 10:16 AM	#3
fierostetz Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Orange County, CA Oddometer: 235	it'd be a good idea to check out that model on dell's support site. you can use that to find out what drivers are required; make sure there are drivers available for what you're trying to do. When the vista switch occurred I ordered a bunch of dells for the school i work at. vista was no good so we tried to roll back to XP, but the motherboard had no XP drivers. We wound up going HP instead due to a more general build with no proprietary drivers required - just make sure whatever you buy has drivers available! __________________ I buy all my stuff at motorcyclegear.com, formerly newenough.

11-14-2012, 01:16 PM	#5
SilkMoneyLove Studly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Minneapolis Oddometer: 854	How much? What issues did you have? Did it crash a lot or what? The XP Pro system should work just fine. My old Dell from 2000 still runs and works perfectly for the kid watching Youtube and stuff. Tigerdirect.com has refurb XP Pro systems for $90. Might be worth it to save yourself time and just buy another refurb?

11-14-2012, 10:00 PM	#9
aaronrkelly Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: southern Iowa Oddometer: 444	I do this very often. There is a local aluminum extrusion factory that uses PCs to control all their various machines etc. Because they are running on propriety software they must have XP on them. I just order a generic Dell and then wipe em out and put XP Pro on it. So far Ive YET to come across a PC (Vista or Windows 7) that I couldnt put XP on. Some of the drivers are easier to find then others....but it can be done and Id guess with the age of your PC quite easily. __________________ Iowa to Grand Canyon....and back http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=615692 a quick run to the Black Hills http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...8#post14248448

11-20-2012, 07:28 AM	#13
Worroll Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Southern CT Oddometer: 629	You're lucky, at work we have a bunch of machines that need win98 to run the control software! All the CPU's have been dying on us lately, hard to find the old stuff. I'm kicking myself thinking of all the 386/486/early pentimum stuff I've thrown out over the years. When we order some new regular work PC's we were able to 'downgrade' to XP, they came preinstalled with vista but came with a XP install disk, I don't think they charged anything for it. __________________ 2011 Sprint GT, 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, 1981 Honda CB750F, 1957 BSA Bantam D3 restoration project, Past bikes -1986 Honda Shadow VT1100C, 1998 Honda Shadow Aero VT1100C3, 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14,1980 Yamaha XT500

11-14-2012, 07:59 AM	#2
Multiplicity Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Location: Nor-Cal Oddometer: 172	Sure! Format the hard drive and do a clean install. No problem

11-14-2012, 12:53 PM	#4
p0diabl0 b00b Joined: Feb 2011 Location: San Diego Oddometer: 360	Easy as long as you have drivers available. Find that out FIRST and then put them on a flash drive so the computer isn't "stuck" when it doesn't know how to use the network card. edit: re-reading your post, I think you would have better luck buying an xp computer from a local computer shop - they'd be far more willing to help you out than Dell/HP/etc.

11-14-2012, 02:51 PM	#6
troidus Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Oddometer: 6,951	Don't forget about virtualization. Your Vista system can host a full-blown XP installation in a virtual machine. It'll share/capture serial and USB ports, so anything you connect to the host should be accessible by XP.

11-17-2012, 08:08 PM	#10
drxr650r Adventurer Joined: Nov 2012 Oddometer: 9	YEP,, Buy a Mac like i did.. i will never own another PC.. Because their just a Piece Crap

11-19-2012, 07:40 AM	#12
SilkMoneyLove Studly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Minneapolis Oddometer: 854	Don't see how getting a Mac will help with the OPs CNC machine since it appears to require XP. Go refurb, save yourself time.

11-20-2012, 07:32 AM	#14
Worroll Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Southern CT Oddometer: 629	http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=Desktop%20PCs You can get refurb boxes with XP for under $100 from these guys. __________________ 2011 Sprint GT, 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, 1981 Honda CB750F, 1957 BSA Bantam D3 restoration project, Past bikes -1986 Honda Shadow VT1100C, 1998 Honda Shadow Aero VT1100C3, 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14,1980 Yamaha XT500

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