[We_Here]

I'm at my grandparents house been awhile since I've reformatted a computer and don't have any of the reformatting disks of xp that I've previously used in the past. How do i download windows xp onto a disc? I have my laptop here so i can download xp just need a good quality website now that pirate bay is down. Another question is; do windows vista programs "email, pictures" link up with Microsoft xp? Vista is just junk. The Laptop is a Dell Inspirion 1501 that I'm repairing. I have use of my I5 8gbs ram and 1tb laptop so speeds not an issue. Thanks for all the help!

Edited by We_Here, 19 October 2013 - 05:08 PM.

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We_Here

For end users there are no legal means of downloading XP even from Microsoft themselves.

Was the notebook originally shipped with XP Home as the OS.

If yes is the 25 digit product key sticker still present either on the base of the notebook or inside the main battery compartment.

Have you checked for a recovery partition by pressing Ctrl+F11 when you first power up the notebook, this to see if XP is still present there.

[phillpower2]

We_Here

For end users there are no legal means of downloading XP even from Microsoft themselves.

Was the notebook originally shipped with XP Home as the OS.

If yes is the 25 digit product key sticker still present either on the base of the notebook or inside the main battery compartment.

Have you checked for a recovery partition by pressing Ctrl+F11 when you first power up the notebook, this to see if XP is still present there.

[Ztruker]

If the COA sticker on the computer is for Vista then you can reinstall Vista doing the following (nothing similar for XP unfortunately):

If you do not have a Windows Vista installation DVD, you can download a legal copy with SP1 integrated from here:

Download Official Windows Vista RTM with SP1 Setup Files (32-bit and 64-bit).

Only Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 (X64 or X86) download is available, but if, during the install, you do not enter the product key
when initially prompted for it (which you must have to use the download), then you will be prompted to select the version of Vista you
want to install. You can activate once the install is done.

You do need a valid installation key, which should be on the COA sticker on the computer, to activate the installation.

Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Ultimate

Downloaded the Vista X64 or X86 files.

X64: You must be running on a 64bit (X64) system to create a 64Bit install DVD or flash drive
install.wim
boot.wim
X14-63453.exe

X86:
install.wim
boot.wim
X14-63452.exe

Double click on X14-63453.exe or X14-63452.exe. It extracts all the files into a Vista sub-folder.

Downloaded Windows Bootable Image Creator zip then extract the files to a folder.

Open the folder and run WBICreator.exe
Click Next
Select OS Type: Windows Vista
CD/DVD Label: VistaX64 or VistaX86
Setup Location: The Vista folder created when you double clicked on X14-63453.exe or X14-63452.exe.
Output Path: Somewhere with enough free space to hold the .iso file that will be created (X64 = 3,837,112KB, X86 = 3,013,816KB).
Click GO.

When done a VistaX64.iso or VistaX86.iso file will be created in the Output Path you chose.

You can use the .iso as input to a burner program like ImgBurn to create a Vista Install DVD, or you can use it as Input to
Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 to create a Vista install flash drive.

I created a X86 flash drive and used it to install a clean copy of Vista Home Basic on my HP DV2200 Laptop. Worked great using the key on the COA sticker of the laptop.

Remember to use the X64 or X86 version of Vista you currently have.

Note: You may need to download drivers for the computer from the manufacturers web site so I would suggest getting the Network (LAN and Wireless) and video/VGA drivers ahead of time so you can install them as soon as you finish installing Vista.

[We_Here]

Thanks for the replies, im having issues saving the files onto a disc; think i will just talk him into getting a new laptop so all these problems go away.. I'm trying to get the internet to work again on wireless and its not ocming up with anything an the sound is on mute and wont play any music anymore. Don't know if i accidentally deleted needed internet drivers or what but the wireless isn't working anymore but the ethernet cord works. I went online and and re-downloaded all the drivers but still having the same issue. The laptop he has is a dell Inspiron 1501 with windows vista 32 bit

Edited by We_Here, 20 October 2013 - 03:45 PM.

[phillpower2]

Dell computers can be picky about driver installation and it is advised that they are installed in a set order after a fresh install of the OS, see info Here

As the computer has the Vista COA sticker following the guidance offered by Ztruker is the way forward.