“I’ve just ordered a Dell Latitude D630 and know already I need to downgrade from Vista Business to XP Pro but everything I google on the matter is littered with conflicting information…seeing as you have done this would you be so kind as to give me a procedure? Treat me like I know nothing and we won’t go wrong!!”

Note: This process will require a re-format of your computer and you will need to ensure you backup any data first as all the existing data and software will be lost.

Pre requisites

1 x Dell Windows XP Pro CD and lots of time.

Step 1) Check that Dell Support Windows XP on your Hardware. For this specific user I know the answer is yes but not all Dell Models have Windows XP Support.

Go to www.support.dell.com then Drivers and Downloads and browse to your model.

From the Operating System dropdown box make sure there is a Windows XP option. Leave the Drivers Web Page open for the moment.

Step 2) Get to know your Dell Vista Hardware first. Find out what you will need.

You want to do this so there is no guess work about what other hardware you have inside your Dell.

Example: A Dell can ship will up to 5 different video cards.

So in Windows Vista click on the Start Menu and when you see Computer right click it and choose Properties.

Then from the left hand side choose the Device manager.

I always make a note of the Display Driver and Network adaptors and Sound (those expanded in the above picture).

Step 3) Download from www.support.dell.com the Windows XP Drivers you will need.

To keep yourself organised put each download into a Folder for easy access later.

Ideally you want to store these on a USB Key or burn a CD with them on.

Step 4) Backup any of your own Data from Windows Vista.

Step 5) Insert your Dell Windows XP Pro CD, turn on your computer and press F12 for boot options. Then Choose your CD/DVD Drive from the available boot options.

Tip: Make sure you don’t have any external hard disks or other peripherals connected. A mouse is ok.

The Windows XP Setup will take a few moments but eventually ask you what you want to do, choose the first option To Setup Windows.

The Windows XP Setup will now look for a version of Windows Installed and offer to Repair or Install a fresh copy. You want the fresh copy so press ESC.

On the existing Partition Screen you will see the various Partitions.

You want to Delete the largest partition and if you see a Dell Vista Recovery Partition you can also delete that. Leave the smallest FAT partitions alone.

Next you want to create a new partition in the un-partitioned space. Accept the size which should be the maximum available. Format the partition NTFS (Quick) after which the Windows XP Install files will be copied and the installation will continue.

Tip: The Win Supersite has a Step by Step guide with pictures of this procedure.
Link: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Step 6) Once Windows XP is loaded you will need to install the Dell Drivers in the correct order.

1:System Software
2:Chipset
3:Video Adaptor
4:Network Card
5:Audio
6:Modem
7:Wireless
8:Input things like touch pad
9:Bluetooth
10:PMCIA/Smart Card

Tip: Dell now have their own “Driver install order” document which is more detailed that the one above. Link: Here

You should now be ready to connect to the internet and visit www.windowsupdate.com for the latest updates to windows.

I often look at one of my Vista PC’s chugging away and think I know what its doing I just don’t know why its doing it.

So hopefully this video based round table discussion with Mark and others on the topic of Windows Vista Performance can educate me.

Link: https://ms.istreamplanet.com/springboard/

Microsoft employee and blogger Keith Combs has published a blog post with his various tweak and tips for getting the best out of Windows Vista.

Link: Keith Combs Tips

Over at the Windows Vista Blog they have started doing screencast like demo’s of Windows Vista features.

So far they have

Restoring Previous Files

Instant Search

Adding MSN Video Fees to Zune (Limited Appeal)

Windows Live OneCare 2.0

The microsoftie in charge of the Windows Vista Blog is Brandon LeBlanc who has done a great job of defending Vista on the site. A thankless job at times I Imagine.

So if you want to check out some Windows Vista Demo’s check the link below.

Link: http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/tags/Demo/default.aspx

I provide technical support for several hundred users both locally and remotely. In an ideal world they would have all their software repositories nice and organised.

Example: Envelopes with usernames containing all the CD’s, Licenses and Product keys that belong to that particular PC.

Sadly life isn’t like that and I am usually under pressure to quickly rebuild and redeploy on the same hardware say after a Hard Disk problem or Virus/Malware attack.

So today’s tech tip is for a download that exposes the current machines product keys.

On my USB key I keep install repositories for common software installations, I then grab the product keys from current machine using keyfinder (link below) and save time by not having to root about the customers cupboards.

Link: http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Microsoft took a bunch of XP users on a supposed test of the Next Version of Windows.

The punch line is they were actually testing Windows Vista and Microsoft duped them.

If some of the early reporting is correct Windows Vista got a high approval rating.

This does raise an interesting point that the negative PR that vista gets has tarnished it’s brand name.

Take “Vista” out of Windows and people have a different point of view.

There is one glaring problem with this experiment. They chose one hardware candidate the HP Pavilion DV 2000.

More than 99% of Windows Vista Users use something other than a HP Pavilion DV 2000.

It would have made for a much better experiment if they got those 120 users to bring their own machines in for the test. Then the approval rating would be more realistic.

I suspect this campaign may backfire. Lets wait and see.

I have learned something new….if you want a Windows Vista laptop get the HP Pavilion DV 2000.

Link: http://www.mojaveexperiment.com/

Here is a Windows Vista tip for those that still like going to the command line.

Windows XP had a Powertoy called Command Prompt Here.

This would allow you to open a DOS box at the desired folder location. This was handy as it saved you typing in really long path names.

Example: C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents etc

This feature ships with Windows Vista but it buried.

To use it you have to hold down the left hand shift button while you right click your folder you will see an extra option “Open Command Window Here”.

Microsoft have updated their How-to guide for tweaking the performance of Windows Vista.

Almost all of it is just common sense and reading the list most of their suggestions apply to earlier versions of Windows as well.

•Delete programs you never use
•Limit how many programs load at startup
•Defragment your hard drive
•Clean up your hard disk
•Run fewer programs at the same time
•Turn off visual effects
•Try restarting if there’s a problem
•Add more memory
•Check for viruses and spyware
•Check your computer’s speed
•Disable services you don’t need
•Check for updates from the manufacturer

So if Vista performance is getting you down check out the link below.

Link: Optimize Windows Vista for better performance

I received a call from a client last week. We both use Dell XPS M1210 Laptops (and love them).

His M1210 was playing up a bit so I offered to give him mine (they don’t make M1210 anymore).

The short version of this story is after 15 months of being a Windows Vista user I am back on Windows XP (on new hardware).

I use Windows XP everyday anyway but going back to it on my main machine has highlighted how much better Desktop Search has been integrated into Vista.

One feature of search I can’t live without is a fully indexed Outlook 2007. I have 7000 things in my inbox (Yes I know!).

The first time I opened Outlook 2007 on my Windows XP machine I was prompted to download Desktop Search. I did this because I know without it trying to find anything in my e-mail will be near impossible (this is specific to Outlook 2007 earlier versions like Outlook 2003 are unaffected).

Tip: Once you have Desktop Search installed leave it running with Outlook 2007 open so it can quickly build the new search index.

One painful thing is the performance of Desktop Search on XP / Office 2007. When I receive a new e-mail Desktop Search kicks in and adds the new e-mail to the index, this is painfully slow.

Example: I can see a simple 1 line e-mail come in but it might take 15 seconds before I can open it because desktop search is doing its thing.

Other Observations

Actually “Search” is about the only thing I miss going back to XP. Wired and Wireless networking is less convoluted on XP, but nothing major really.

As it turns out I didn’t need to swap my main laptop after all. So I have it back and weighing it all up I would rather be on Windows Vista SP1. I am going to finish the week using XP but its back to Windows Vista for me simply because of its implementation and performance of search.

What this does highlight: if you are a Windows XP / Outlook 2003 user (which had pretty good inbuilt search) you’re really not missing much.

One of the selling points of Windows Vista Ultimate was the dangled carrot of exclusive content called Windows Vista Ultimate Extras.

After nearly a year without anything new from Microsoft they have launched UltimatePc.com a website for Windows Vista Ultimate users.

They have trotted out the existing paltry extras.

Dreamscene, Lanuage Packs, Bitlocker and Hold Em Poker (Game)

There is a rumour that more exclusive content is coming (heard that one before).

In other Windows Vista News the retail cost has recently been reduced.

However my tip is don’t upgrade your existing PC to Vista, if you want Windows Vista  get it pre-installed on a new PC. It will be cheaper to buy and be running on more modern hardware.

I would imagine the new website has been announced for the renewed marketing push post Windows Vista SP1.

The wait for Windows Vista SP1 continues.

Link: http://www.ultimatepc.com/