Hate Vista - want to return to XPHome

[KathyW]

Hi everyone, I am a newbie and almost completely green.
My old laptop with XPHome got sick and died and insurance paid for a new laptop but it came with Vista business and I cannot stand it.
I like to password protect lots of my documents - vista doesn't allow that and also quite frankly I cannot see where they have improved anything.
I would like to put xp home on this laptop so is that possible and how do I do it please?

Also I can barely see my cursor but do not want toolbars etc that come with the free download cursors. I s there anyway I can make my curser more visable please?

Thanking you in anticipation of any replies.

[Murray S.]

Howdy and welcome to CTH:

1: Make sure there are XP drivers available for the laptop. Many manufacturers are putting Vista only hardware in their new systems.

2: Go out and buy a new XP install cd as it would be illegal and against the Microsoft EULA to use the old one (if it even worked in your new system).

Murray

[Miz]

Changing the cursor is done the same in Vista as it is in XP.

Go to Control Panel>Mouse>Pointer tab.

Cllick once on the cursor you want to change, then click the Browse button. Scroll through the selections until you find one you think might work, click on it then on the Open button. The newly selected cusor will display back in the Pointer list.

Once you find one you like...or like better than the default...click OK.

[KathyW]

Wow that was superfast. Thank you very much Murray and Miz.
I shall go change my cursor.
I thought it would be days before anyone replied.
Thank you again.

[Gnomad]

If you choose to use Windows XP, you do not need to purchase a new copy of Windows XP , Windows Vista Business Edition has downgrade rights to Windows XP Pro. Follow these steps to install and activate Windows XP Pro.
1.Install the Machine with XP PRO Media and get any valid XP Product Key.
2.After finishing the installation, there will be 2 options for you to pick for the Windows Activation. Activate online or activate through Phone Call. Pick activate through Phone Call.
3.The system will show a series of Installation ID for activation.
4.Send an email to SEAPART@microsoft.com, and include all the information below:
1.XP PRO Product Key and COA installed to the machine
2.Vista Business/Ultimate Product Key and COA if possible
3.XP Installation ID that shown in the system
4.Customer information
5.Microsoft will verify the information and respond within 24 hours. (Common case is about 5-6 hours)
6.You will received an email from SEAPA, with the activation key. Key in the activation key.

[Murray S.]

Originally Posted by Gnomad

1.Install the Machine with XP PRO Media and get any valid XP Product Key.

Howdy:

Might I ask how you propose they get a valid XP install key code without buying it?

Murray

[Gnomad]

All you need to do is borrow a legal CD from any source, install Windows XP Pro, then follow the steps above. When you prove to Microsoft that you have a valid Vista Business/Ultimate CD key, and a legal (meaning non-pirated) XP Pro( the legal XP Pro can be already installed on a machine) , they will give you an install code to validate the XP Pro installation.

[Murray S.]

Okay.. went in and took a read about it. Appears they let you use your Vista key code as the XP Pro key code.

Learn something new every day.

Murray