Windows XP on Acer Aspire One

XP is no longer supported by Microsoft but I am pretty sure you can find the drivers somewhere.

What is the exact model of the Acer Aspire One.

You are at Acer's mercy. Here is their drive page: http://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

@Lockdown32.. I like the You're at their Mercy comment! :)

MIcrosoft would not be responsible for the drivers even if XP were not discontinued. Acer would. If Acer doesn't have them they as Gene stated try Dirverspace. Then search the web. DriversGuide.com would be another place to try. If Acer doesn't have them then try Googling.

Windows 7 is the far superior choice for that PC, both from a support and compatibility viewpoint.

Strongly suggest you put WIN7 back on!

I would say, based on the original question, that Alex is aware that Windows 7 is an option. He already had it on there once. I am sure he is also aware that support for XP has been continued. Lastly I am sure he is aware he can put Windows 7 back on. His question was where to find XP drivers.....

No, his Question was whether it was a waste of time, which it most definitely was. There just can't be any sane reason for installing an inferior and outdated OS on a system that is already running something that is much better.

The question I ask is why downgrade? Was the system slow? Did you have any other issues?

I disagree. I interpreted the question "was it a waste of time" to be related to him finding drivers for XP. Not just was it a waste of time in general. I am sure he had his reasons. The fact that he knew how to downgrade would lead me to believe that he knew what he was doing. Unless you know his reasons you can't classify his actions insane.

hi all, thanks for all your input which has been informative and enjoyable.

Based on the information I gave I'm inclined to agree with Rindi that installing windows XP in this instance is a waste of time.

Some background though, i needed to format the hard drive anyway due to an ugly virus that I wanted to be sure was eliminated.

The laptop which is about 4 years old had Windows 10 on it at the time, was a bit slow but probably better than Windows 7 that was on it before, and I wanted to get it back up to speed. I guess a follow-up question would be how can I get the best performance from this laptop.

For now though, I am going to pursue the XP route a little before I wipe it again, or trash it.

More memory, an SSD drive if you can find a compatible one. I like Windows 7 better than 10, just a personal preference.

Model is Acer Aspire One 722-0679 MFG Date 2012/03/20 SNID 21202720634

Thanks, i may put Windows 7 back on, it should go faster newly installed i guess.

I've also got some old systems that run on XP that i may need to take a look at.

Are you sure that is the right Model number?

Yes the model number is correct. Searching the SNID brings up AO722 which matches.

I've just tried the Win7 drivers and understandably most don't want to install on XP.

It's looking like another wipe...

you can't make a Model T and make it a Ferrari.  For the very limited range of operation that they were designed for they were just marginally ok. Lightweight browsing, email, and other lightweight tasks. As much as I'm ashamed to admit it, Chrome OS might be a better option for these under-powered machines.

@David, Chrome OS is not bad. I have seen it in action pretty nice.

It's ticking along, sound, display, and ethernet now working, and fast as a ferrari... just need the wifi..

Source: http://www.driverscape.com/manufacturers/acer/laptops-desktops/ao722/579

I may need to post this as an aside q, but can anyone advise on this error in windows xp...

Qualcomm Atheros 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless Adaptor

The Device may not be present or could have been ejected/unplugged from the system.

Insert or Reinsert Now.

Select allOpen in new window

Fn+F3 on the One is the shortcut to enable the hardware

There also maybe a switch on the side of the laptop as well to enable it in addition to what MASQ said. That's if its not turned on already. :)

Thanks, I tried that but no luck. fn F3 on mine, but seen a button on some others too.

What are you seeing in Device Manager for networking?  Which version drivers have you installed?

The ideal combination for the 722 is:
Intel Chipset Driver v8.3.0.1018
and
Atheros WLAN Driver v7.6.0.224

Installed in that order

Looked on Microsoft site they said you may have a switch in the front. Also, one person said he had to hit both keys at the same time. Which is weird but it can't hurt.

In Device manager under Network adaptors, there's just:

Qualcomm Atheros AR8152/8158 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller

Under Other devices there's two items with yellow question marks:

Network Controller
SM Bus Controller

@Edward, no switch on front, it's definitely Fn F3 on this laptop.

but i've just spotted the LED indicator for the WIFI, it's not lit, nor does it light up with Fn F3

If you're missing the SM Bus driver you don't have the basic chipset drivers installed, they let the motherboard talk to the peripheral devices including the WiFi card.

You're looking for an older Catalyst Control Center package
"14-4-xp32-64-dd-ccc-pack3.exe" that has both 32 & 64 bit XP drivers for the One

Ok great thanks I.ll check that now.

Meanwhile as an aside miraculously I.m able to tether my Samsung S4 mini via USB and get internet, thanks to this hack... http://karceh.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/how-to-usb-tether-android-phones-with.html
and http://www.android.com/drivers/tetherxp.inf

hi MASQ, I tried that pack then tried the wireless install but got the same error message.

Nothing new in Device manager.

Thanks all for the help, i didn't expect to drag it on like this.

I went back to the very first link I posted and entered Windows 7 32-bit and the SNID. Try it.

http://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

yes thanks that is where i got most of the drivers from initially, but many are win7 specific, so i went instead to http://www.driverscape.com/manufacturers/acer/laptops-desktops/ao722/579

gonna try the system and chipset drivers again, maybe missed soemthing

I told you driverscape would be a great resource

I remember why I dropped out of this question now. You started out wanting XP drivers then the question changed and you were going back to Windows 7 but wait... now your staying with XP? Never mind... forget I said anything LOL!

Have you tested the wireless card in a version of Ubuntu or some other OS to verify it still works?

Have you tried to reseat the wireless card internally?

Do you have another mini form wireless card that you can try to put in there or try to place that wireless card in a separate laptop?

Have you installed the Launch Manager?
This connects up the Hot Keys
ftp://ftp.acer-euro.com/netbook/aspire_one_150/driver/Launch_Manager_v2.0.04.zip;type=i

OK
I use multiple PCs with all windows OSs but as many older folk, I feel most at home with XP
1. Your newer PCs hardware will not support the older XP drivers as they are definitely not available.
2.If you have stuff that only works on XP then read 3.
3. Go back to Win 7 or 10 and use XP in a virtual mode

MASQ, thanks i installed this but no change still. Wifi Fn F3 still doing nothing.

Everything else is fine though, the keyboard layout has sorted itself out, the display driver is good, internet works fine through ethernet or USB tethering.

I've come this far I'm sort of resigned to making the wifi work now.

I'll post an aside question focussing on this and link it to this question.

Follow-up question: https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28948702/Wireless-card-not-detected-on-Acer-Aspire-One-722-running-Windows-XP.html

Many thanks for all your inputs.

Dear all, please note a successful Windows XP solution is provided by MASQ in the follow-up here: https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28948702/Wireless-card-not-detected-on-Acer-Aspire-One-722-running-Windows-XP.html

For anyone wanting to downgrade a AO722 to XP, I will shortly post here a full list of drivers used.