July 25, 2008 05:38pm pdt

1. garycase 117,984
2. rindi 110,412
3. nobus 93,264
4. PUNKY 75,353
5. andyalder 72,981
6. leew 57,098
7. meyersd 48,305
8. lnkevin 33,215
9. dovidmichel 31,830
10. SysExpert 30,415
11. honmapog 26,250
12. dbrunton 26,236
13. iamthecre... 25,555
14. akirhol 23,175
15. KCTS 22,703

1. rindi 1,297,057
2. garycase 703,439
3. andyalder 656,026
4. leew 624,643
5. nobus 566,396
6. meyersd 509,752
7. dovidmichel 491,828
8. SysExpert 406,474
9. PUNKY 251,754
10. Callandor 220,374
11. Cyber-D... 199,070
12. sirbounty 189,195
13. kode99 188,201
14. LucF 184,593
15. David_Fong 165,470

02.10.2008 at 12:30AM PST, ID: 23151089

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7.8

Downgrading from Vista to XP SP2

Zone: Hard Drives & Storage

Tags: Packard Bell, Easynote, MX36-U-030D, drivers to winXP, Packard Bell, Easynote, MX36-U-030D, drivers to winXP

On my Packard Bell Easynote MX36-U-030D Windows Vista was preinstalled when I got it some 6 month ago. I would like to get rid of Vista and install XP SP2 (SP3?!) instead, but I am concerned about the drivers.

The computer contains a set of reinstallable drivers which can be saved on an external storage device. But will these drivers suited for Vista work on XP. Some would, I guess, some wouldn't. The drivers on Packard Bell's internet page also seems to be mostly Vista:
http://support.packardbell.com/dk/item/index.php?i=platform_ajax_c2&g=2000

Is there a Packard Bell computer prior to Packard Bell Easynote MX36-U-030D which contains some of the same hardware devices - but designed for XP (thus I could probably use those drivers)?!

This wouldn't be an issue if the internal XP drivers would be able to handle the devices in the Easynote - but will they?!

Ordinarily I would simply try this: Get rid of Vista by "killdisking", installing XP, and if it didn't work, reinstall Vista and accept to continue with Vista. However, there is no install-CD/DVD in the package which came along with the computer. The only way to preserve Vista seems to make the recommended restore image of the present configuration on a DVD.

Another thing is that there is a hidden partition before the first visible partition. I am not sure what it contains. Probably some recovery items, but on other computers (Dell and Compaq) I have experienced such hidden partitions to contain important BIOS related stuff. So I am very reluctant to start messing around with this hidden partition. I don't know whether or not the restore image would also restore the hidden partition.

Instead of killdisking the entire hard disk, I could easily killdisk the C: drive, leaving the hidden partition unharmed and installing XP - and then see what happens!

I don't think there will be a SATA issue if I use a slipstreamed XP SP2 installation disk - but I am not sure about it.

Question: Has anybody tried downgrading Packard Bell Easynote MX36-U-030D from Vista to XP - if yes, was it successfull and how did you do it?

Thank you in advance.

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Question Stats

Zone: Storage

Question Asked By: sebastianemborg

Solution Provided By: garycase

Participating Experts: 2

Solution Grade: A

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