Thanks, Bruce, for detailed feedback.
HP Support exactly say two things:
1. Removing VISTA or even installing XP for dual boot willinvalidate the
warranty. I do not worry about this for with VISTA I am not using the
machine anyway. If some hardware breaks down, I will remove XP and reinstall
VISTA. Or just swap the HD for I awyas store my date on a separate drive or
at least on a separate partition.

2. They do not guarantee I will find ALL the drivers for XP. The answer is
quite ecasive, but I could not get from them anything else
[color=blue]
>First and foremost, if the specific computer model in
> question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no
> WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's diverse
> components work properly[/color]

That was exactly the source of my worry. They now have a stick on all the
computers Recommended for VISTA or something like that. If MS do not sell
them a licence for XP, manufacturers have little point in developing XP
drivers

Also do you know if it is legally OK to buy, say, on ebay that OEM XP ? Will
MS give support to such an installation?

"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
news:#sUstDr#JHA.1376@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> aa wrote:[color=green]
> > On a year old HP Pavilion/Vista I would like to remove Vista, format the
> > disk and install w2k or XP. But HP support refused all the support in[/color][/color]
this[color=blue][color=green]
> > respect saying they are not sure I will find all XP/w2k drivers for this
> > machine.[/color]
>
>
> *Exactly* what did HP Support say? That they definitely don't provide
> WinXP device drivers for that model computer, or that they just wouldn't
> help you find them?
>
>[color=green]
> > Has anybody here had difficulties finding XP/w2k drivers for relatively[/color][/color]
new[color=blue][color=green]
> > machines, and for HP Pavilion in particular?
> >
> >[/color]
>
>
> There could be a couple possible adverse repercussions of which you
> should be aware. First and foremost, if the specific computer model in
> question was designed specifically for Vista, there may well be no
> WinXP-specific device drivers available to make the computer's diverse
> components work properly. Consult the computer's manufacturer about the
> availability of device drivers. Secondly, removing an OEM-installed
> operating system and replacing it with another will almost invariably
> void any and all support agreements and, in rare cases, possibly even
> the warranty. You would, at the very least, have to re-install Vista
> before getting any support from the manufacturer. Again, consult the
> computer's manufacturer for specifics. Thirdly, there will be the
> additional cost involved in purchasing a WinXP license for this new
> computer.
>
> After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
> installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
> offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
> of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
> boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)
>
> HOW TO Install Windows XP
> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941[/url]
>
> [url]http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html[/url]
>
> [url]http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm[/url]
>
> Then, assuming you were successful in obtaining WinXP-specific
> device drivers so that the computer can be made to work with WinXP, the
> backed up data can be restored and applications (those that are
> WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.
>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> [url]http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html[/url]
>
> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375[/url]
>
> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
>
> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand[/color]
Russell[color=blue]
>
> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
> killed a great many philosophers.
> ~ Denis Diderot
>[/color]