Hello, all:

A friend of mine just purchased (from one of the television programs,
which has an association with Dell) a new laptop computer. However,
before she bought it, she did not realize it had Vista on it. She
wants to take Vista off and put Windows XP on the computer. I (as well
as a lot of other people I know) have heard a lot of 'bad publicity'
about Vista. She doesn't want it, she cannot use it because, well, she
is not comfortable working with this specific OS and wants to take it
off and put Windows XP.

What's the down-side associated with Vista? Why are so many people
complaining about it? I have never seen it, I don't want to see it and
I am happy with what I have, which is Windows XP. However, will there
be on "untoward problems" associated with the concept of taking Vista
off and changing the platform to Windows XP?

Thanks,

Mark

Windows Vista is an excellent, secure operating system
that far surpasses Windows XP in virtually every respect.
Most of the complaints come from folks who are having
hardware issues unrelated to Vista. Since Dell certifies
their PCs for Vista, your friend should not have any
problems using it.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mea505" <mea505@cox.net> wrote in message
news:1190663812.259299.150750@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
Hello, all:

A friend of mine just purchased (from one of the television programs,
which has an association with Dell) a new laptop computer. However,
before she bought it, she did not realize it had Vista on it. She
wants to take Vista off and put Windows XP on the computer. I (as well
as a lot of other people I know) have heard a lot of 'bad publicity'
about Vista. She doesn't want it, she cannot use it because, well, she
is not comfortable working with this specific OS and wants to take it
off and put Windows XP.

What's the down-side associated with Vista? Why are so many people
complaining about it? I have never seen it, I don't want to see it and
I am happy with what I have, which is Windows XP. However, will there
be on "untoward problems" associated with the concept of taking Vista
off and changing the platform to Windows XP?

Thanks,

Mark

Mea505 wrote:[color=blue]
> Hello, all:
>
> A friend of mine just purchased (from one of the television programs,
> which has an association with Dell) a new laptop computer. However,
> before she bought it, she did not realize it had Vista on it. She
> wants to take Vista off and put Windows XP on the computer. I (as well
> as a lot of other people I know) have heard a lot of 'bad publicity'
> about Vista. She doesn't want it, she cannot use it because, well, she
> is not comfortable working with this specific OS and wants to take it
> off and put Windows XP.
>
> What's the down-side associated with Vista? Why are so many people
> complaining about it? I have never seen it, I don't want to see it and
> I am happy with what I have, which is Windows XP. However, will there
> be on "untoward problems" associated with the concept of taking Vista
> off and changing the platform to Windows XP?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark
>[/color]


From the sound of it she is not likely to be the sort of user to run
into the kinds of problems those of us complaining ran into, mainly
because it's already installed so there must be working drivers etc.

Some of the biggest problems are trying to install it on hardware you
already have because of compatibility issues. Actually one criticism has
been that for all the hype it really is not much different than XP.

The biggest risk you take is that some piece of hardware will not have
XP drivers, so it won't work and maybe never will, although I think
that's unlikely.

I would say try it and see, it's not going to cost anything to do that
and zero risk. If you change the OS you will most likely invalidate the
warranty right away.

Someone here may be able to walk you through making it look as much like
XP as possible...

She will have to contact Dell about 2 things.

1. Ask them if their computer that your friend has supports XP Drivers.
2. Ask them about XP CDs to downgrade; apparently they do it for some
customers.

Vista is a reasonable system; if people don't go forward, we would still be
in Windows 3.1

"Mea505" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hello, all:
>
> A friend of mine just purchased (from one of the television programs,
> which has an association with Dell) a new laptop computer. However,
> before she bought it, she did not realize it had Vista on it. She
> wants to take Vista off and put Windows XP on the computer. I (as well
> as a lot of other people I know) have heard a lot of 'bad publicity'
> about Vista. She doesn't want it, she cannot use it because, well, she
> is not comfortable working with this specific OS and wants to take it
> off and put Windows XP.
>
> What's the down-side associated with Vista? Why are so many people
> complaining about it? I have never seen it, I don't want to see it and
> I am happy with what I have, which is Windows XP. However, will there
> be on "untoward problems" associated with the concept of taking Vista
> off and changing the platform to Windows XP?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark
>
>[/color]

On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:05:40 -0500, "Carey Frisch [MVP]"
<cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Windows Vista is an excellent, secure operating system
>that far surpasses Windows XP in virtually every respect.[/color]

Really? What are you smoking? Pass it around.

FROM XP NEWS: Kinda says it all.

In way too many cases, people condemn operating systems or applications that
they've never even used, or that they've only fooled around with for a few
minutes or a few hours on a demo system at the store or a friend's computer.

In fact, some of the most adamant criticisms I hear about Vista come from
some of my friends and relatives who have never run the OS. They'll admit
that they're basing their opinions on what they've heard from others, but
insist that if those others are saying it, it must be true. I hear people
proclaim, "I've never used Vista and I never will" - just as proudly as they
proclaimed the same thing about XP a few years ago.

One good friend of mine, who is fond of the above proclamation, tells me
that he won't use Vista because "the DRM prevents you from playing any of
your previously downloaded music." That's just patently untrue - I play
previously downloaded music on my Vista machine all the time and so do many
other people, and without jumping through any particular hoops to do it. But
it's something he read on the web somewhere, and he's integrated it into
what he "knows" about Vista.

Now, there are some good reasons not to upgrade to Vista. If you have older
hardware that's not supported and you don't want to buy new peripherals or a
new machine, or if you have applications that won't run on Vista, that's a
perfectly good reason to stick with XP.

But don't blame Vista when peripheral makers fail to provide drivers for
their hardware components. Someone commented to me last week that he had
bought a new computer and his Epson printer wouldn't work with it because
"it's running that stupid Vista." Hey, that's Epson's fault, not Vista's.
All my older HP printers work just fine with Vista - because HP has provided
Vista drivers for them. He searched the Epson site and couldn't find Vista
drivers for his printer; sounds to me as if Epson wants you to buy a new
printer instead. I'd recommend that when/if you do so, you make sure it's
not an Epson.

Another good reason not to upgrade is because you don't need to. If your XP
computer works just fine and it's doing everything you want it to do, keep
it. Don't feel pressured to go with the newest OS just because it is new.
Just don't condemn the newest OS because it's new, either. And remember that
XP went through its growing pains, too. Those who point fingers whenever a
security flaw is found in Vista apparently have forgotten all those flaws
that have been patched in XP. And those who grumble about Vista's new
interface don't seem to remember that they were the same ones grumbling
about all the changes that came with XP.

I have nothing against saving money; that's one of my favorite things to do.
So if you just don't want to pay for a new OS, you'll hear no argument from
me. But for some, money has nothing to do with it. I know many folks whose
companies pay for the upgrades, who still want to stay with their old,
familiar operating system. And that brings us to some of the not-so-good
reasons for not upgrading.

Some folks - maybe most folks - aren't comfortable with new things, even if
those new things are improvements. A case in point: one of the reasons I
love my Saturn Ion is the unusual position of the speedometer and gauges -
in the center of the dashboard rather than hidden behind the steering wheel
as in most cars. It's far easier to watch your speed while keeping your eyes
on the road. Yet that feature has gotten terrible reviews and most of my
friends think it's "weird." They want those gauges where they've always
been, and they don't even want to try out the different configuration. For a
photo, see
[url]http://www.wxpnews.com/D7DK86/070925-Dashboard[/url]

Likewise, I have friends who take one look at Vista's new Explorer and run
screaming from the room (well, figuratively). They immediately "don't like
it" without ever giving it a chance. Same thing with Office 2007's ribbon
interface. Maybe it's just my life-long penchant for learning new things
that causes me to embrace these changes, but new features such as the
clickable path in Explorer make it easier for me to get around in the file
system, and I welcome that. Sure, it took a little getting used to, just
like the center- mounted speedometer, but now I'd hate to be without it.

In the U.S., our criminal justice system is built on the principle that a
person is to be considered innocent until proven guilty. New products get no
such protection. For those who have used Vista for a few months and decided
that they like XP better, we just have a difference of opinion. The relative
merit of an operating system interface is a subjective matter and some will
always hate what others love. There's no problem with that. But for those
who have judged Vista guilty - of user unfriendliness, of slowness, of
security problems, or whatever - without ever using it or after giving it a
spin for only a day or two, I really can't put much stock in your opinions.

I'll always support your right to use whatever software works best for you
(including Mac and Linux), but can't you go ahead and use it without calling
those of us who happen to like Vista stupid or implying that we're nothing
but Microsoft shills?

What do you think about the OS wars? Why do people (yes, myself sometimes
included) have a tendency to denigrate others' choices? Why do so many folks
fear anything that's new? Do you take pride in your refusal to upgrade - or
on the other hand, do you take pride in being an early adopter? Have you
vowed never to upgrade based on something you've read or heard, without ever
actually trying the new software out for yourself? Or are you just sensibly
waiting until the first service pack, or for a price drop, or until your
current computer dies, or until your mission-critical applications have been
upgraded to work with Vista? Tell us what you think at [email]feedback@wxpnews.com[/email]


"Mea505" <mea505@cox.net> wrote in message
news:1190663812.259299.150750@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello, all:
>
> A friend of mine just purchased (from one of the television programs,
> which has an association with Dell) a new laptop computer. However,
> before she bought it, she did not realize it had Vista on it. She
> wants to take Vista off and put Windows XP on the computer. I (as well
> as a lot of other people I know) have heard a lot of 'bad publicity'
> about Vista. She doesn't want it, she cannot use it because, well, she
> is not comfortable working with this specific OS and wants to take it
> off and put Windows XP.
>
> What's the down-side associated with Vista? Why are so many people
> complaining about it? I have never seen it, I don't want to see it and
> I am happy with what I have, which is Windows XP. However, will there
> be on "untoward problems" associated with the concept of taking Vista
> off and changing the platform to Windows XP?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark
>[/color]

I had WinXP on my old computer and loved it. I didn't have any problems
and everything worked fine, including my HP Business 1200D printer,
Epson Perfection 1250 Photo scanner and my video camera..

On my 78th birthday my family gave me a new computer with the Vista
Ultimate x64 operating system, 2 GB RAM, 360GB Hard Drive and
all the bells and whistles.

If she has Vista Home Premium (not basic) she will most likely learn
to like it after she uses it for a while. Not really a lot of difference
between
that and XP as far as I'm concerned other then appearance and the fact
Microsoft has changed the names of some things like Windows Mail
instead of Outlook Express. They've hid the menu items in a lot of places
but they are easy to bring back. I still can't find RUN which I used once
in a while but I'll find it. There may be some internal changes for the
better, but overall there isn't much difference.

I would never suggest to anyone other then 'Power Users' to use the 64bit
System since it is overkill for most of us. It also has its limitations. I
also
can't see where Ultimate is an advantage over Vista Home Premium,
particularly for the average user.

My Epson scanner wouldn't work and Epson did not update their drivers
for Vista X64.. I had to buy a new scanner which I wasn't too happy about.
The new scanner works fine but not any better then the old Epson..

It took a while to get the drivers for my printer but it is now working
great.
My video camera won't work since it is an old one that 3M used to sell
and there are no drivers available. It did work on my XP but even when
I tried to install under the compatibility option for Win98 or WinXP it
wouldn't install.

Many of my old programs that I used with XP don't work on my new
Vista computer. Sony Sound Forge 8 won't work. I have to buy an
update for version 9. I'm not a game player but I did have a fun
Pool/Snooker game I did play once in a while that won't work on the
new computer.

Another program I really miss and can't find anything that even comes
close to it is NetMedic, a utility program that showed the different
connections to the Internet, Internet speed and areas where there
were problems. If I had trouble connecting, I could always check
NetMedic and be able to tell where the block was. NetMedic
won't work with Vista..

I'm listing these things only to show some of the problems I have had
getting used to this new operating system. Frankly if I wouldn't hurt
my families feelings I would go back to my old WinXP computer.

As it is, I do like Vista and will be able to work with it. I still have
problems like trying to find out where to find and use RUN.. The
change in Add/Remove for Vista was hard to find but now that
I know where to look it works okay.

Tell her to give Vista a chance.. She probably feels like I did when
they changed from Win 3.1 to Win95 or from Win95 to W98..

Jack



"Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
news:%23j0Hkbu$HHA.3956@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Mea505 wrote:[color=green]
>> Hello, all:
>>
>> A friend of mine just purchased (from one of the television programs,
>> which has an association with Dell) a new laptop computer. However,
>> before she bought it, she did not realize it had Vista on it. She
>> wants to take Vista off and put Windows XP on the computer. I (as well
>> as a lot of other people I know) have heard a lot of 'bad publicity'
>> about Vista. She doesn't want it, she cannot use it because, well, she
>> is not comfortable working with this specific OS and wants to take it
>> off and put Windows XP.
>>
>> What's the down-side associated with Vista? Why are so many people
>> complaining about it? I have never seen it, I don't want to see it and
>> I am happy with what I have, which is Windows XP. However, will there
>> be on "untoward problems" associated with the concept of taking Vista
>> off and changing the platform to Windows XP?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Mark
>>[/color]
>
>
> From the sound of it she is not likely to be the sort of user to run into
> the kinds of problems those of us complaining ran into, mainly because
> it's already installed so there must be working drivers etc.
>
> Some of the biggest problems are trying to install it on hardware you
> already have because of compatibility issues. Actually one criticism has
> been that for all the hype it really is not much different than XP.
>
> The biggest risk you take is that some piece of hardware will not have XP
> drivers, so it won't work and maybe never will, although I think that's
> unlikely.
>
> I would say try it and see, it's not going to cost anything to do that and
> zero risk. If you change the OS you will most likely invalidate the
> warranty right away.
>
> Someone here may be able to walk you through making it look as much like
> XP as possible...[/color]

"Vista User" <VistaRules@NoSpam.net> wrote in message
news:fd979e$139$1@aioe.org...[color=blue]
> FROM XP NEWS: Kinda says it all.[/color]
[color=blue]
> Some folks - maybe most folks - aren't comfortable with new things, even
> if those new things are improvements. A case in point: one of the reasons
> I love my Saturn Ion is the unusual position of the speedometer and
> gauges - in the center of the dashboard rather than hidden behind the
> steering wheel as in most cars. It's far easier to watch your speed while
> keeping your eyes on the road. Yet that feature has gotten terrible
> reviews and most of my friends think it's "weird." They want those gauges
> where they've always been, and they don't even want to try out the
> different configuration. For a photo, see
> [url]http://www.wxpnews.com/D7DK86/070925-Dashboard[/url][/color]



What a stupid place to put the speedo.
It needs to be directly in front of the steering wheel so that us drivers
that have varifocal lenses can see it and the distance view of the road at
the same time.
The designer should be shoot for something that bad.

On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:21:37 +0100, "dennis@home"
<dennis@killspam.kicks-ass.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Vista User" <VistaRules@NoSpam.net> wrote in message
>news:fd979e$139$1@aioe.org...[color=green]
>> FROM XP NEWS: Kinda says it all.[/color]
>[color=green]
>> Some folks - maybe most folks - aren't comfortable with new things, even
>> if those new things are improvements. A case in point: one of the reasons
>> I love my Saturn Ion is the unusual position of the speedometer and
>> gauges - in the center of the dashboard rather than hidden behind the
>> steering wheel as in most cars. It's far easier to watch your speed while
>> keeping your eyes on the road. Yet that feature has gotten terrible
>> reviews and most of my friends think it's "weird." They want those gauges
>> where they've always been, and they don't even want to try out the
>> different configuration. For a photo, see
>> [url]http://www.wxpnews.com/D7DK86/070925-Dashboard[/url][/color]
>
>
>
>What a stupid place to put the speedo.
>It needs to be directly in front of the steering wheel so that us drivers
>that have varifocal lenses can see it and the distance view of the road at
>the same time.
>The designer should be shoot for something that bad.[/color]

By that comment are you suggesting whoever designed the Windows Start
button should be shot as well? Talk about stupid design, Click on a
"start" button to turn OFF your computer. I guess the boys of Redmond
don't know how to design a toggle switch.

"Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
news:or7gf3tjmudhoa3bq6pbrtahjlv0mpisov@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:05:40 -0500, "Carey Frisch [MVP]"
> <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>Windows Vista is an excellent, secure operating system
>>that far surpasses Windows XP in virtually every respect.[/color]
>
> Really? What are you smoking? Pass it around.
>[/color]

I have two Vista machines. No problems on either since it was released.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
I won't answer email.

"Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
news:2ebgf3tmnproi5befgol8jqrq4mq24op51@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:21:37 +0100, "dennis@home"
> <dennis@killspam.kicks-ass.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>"Vista User" <VistaRules@NoSpam.net> wrote in message
>>news:fd979e$139$1@aioe.org...[color=darkred]
>>> FROM XP NEWS: Kinda says it all.[/color]
>>[color=darkred]
>>> Some folks - maybe most folks - aren't comfortable with new things, even
>>> if those new things are improvements. A case in point: one of the
>>> reasons
>>> I love my Saturn Ion is the unusual position of the speedometer and
>>> gauges - in the center of the dashboard rather than hidden behind the
>>> steering wheel as in most cars. It's far easier to watch your speed
>>> while
>>> keeping your eyes on the road. Yet that feature has gotten terrible
>>> reviews and most of my friends think it's "weird." They want those
>>> gauges
>>> where they've always been, and they don't even want to try out the
>>> different configuration. For a photo, see
>>> [url]http://www.wxpnews.com/D7DK86/070925-Dashboard[/url][/color]
>>
>>
>>
>>What a stupid place to put the speedo.
>>It needs to be directly in front of the steering wheel so that us drivers
>>that have varifocal lenses can see it and the distance view of the road at
>>the same time.
>>The designer should be shoot for something that bad.[/color]
>
> By that comment are you suggesting whoever designed the Windows Start
> button should be shot as well? Talk about stupid design, >[/color]

I should have known you would think it was a good idea to put the start
button in the middle of the screen.
[color=blue]
> Click on a
> "start" button to turn OFF your computer. I guess the boys of Redmond
> don't know how to design a toggle switch.[/color]

Vista doesn't have a start button which you would know if you let frank
install your vista for you.

"Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
news:2ebgf3tmnproi5befgol8jqrq4mq24op51@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> By that comment are you suggesting whoever designed the Windows Start
> button should be shot as well? Talk about stupid design, Click on a
> "start" button to turn OFF your computer. I guess the boys of Redmond
> don't know how to design a toggle switch.
>[/color]

I do have a icon in the lower left side. It doesn't say anything about
"start" on it. Did I miss something or are you just being a pompous jerk
again?

dennis@home wrote:[color=blue]
>
> "Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
> news:2ebgf3tmnproi5befgol8jqrq4mq24op51@4ax.com...
>[color=green]
>> On Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:21:37 +0100, "dennis@home"
>> <dennis@killspam.kicks-ass.net> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> "Vista User" <VistaRules@NoSpam.net> wrote in message
>>> news:fd979e$139$1@aioe.org...
>>>
>>>> FROM XP NEWS: Kinda says it all.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Some folks - maybe most folks - aren't comfortable with new things,
>>>> even
>>>> if those new things are improvements. A case in point: one of the
>>>> reasons
>>>> I love my Saturn Ion is the unusual position of the speedometer and
>>>> gauges - in the center of the dashboard rather than hidden behind the
>>>> steering wheel as in most cars. It's far easier to watch your speed
>>>> while
>>>> keeping your eyes on the road. Yet that feature has gotten terrible
>>>> reviews and most of my friends think it's "weird." They want those
>>>> gauges
>>>> where they've always been, and they don't even want to try out the
>>>> different configuration. For a photo, see
>>>> [url]http://www.wxpnews.com/D7DK86/070925-Dashboard[/url]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What a stupid place to put the speedo.
>>> It needs to be directly in front of the steering wheel so that us
>>> drivers
>>> that have varifocal lenses can see it and the distance view of the
>>> road at
>>> the same time.
>>> The designer should be shoot for something that bad.[/color]
>>
>>
>> By that comment are you suggesting whoever designed the Windows Start
>> button should be shot as well? Talk about stupid design, >[/color]
>
>
> I should have known you would think it was a good idea to put the start
> button in the middle of the screen.
>[color=green]
>> Click on a
>> "start" button to turn OFF your computer. I guess the boys of Redmond
>> don't know how to design a toggle switch.[/color]
>
>
> Vista doesn't have a start button which you would know if you let frank
> install your vista for you.
>[/color]
h
He should let his minkie re-install Vista for him! :-)
Frank

Vista User wrote:
[color=blue]
> "Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
> news:2ebgf3tmnproi5befgol8jqrq4mq24op51@4ax.com...
>[color=green]
>>By that comment are you suggesting whoever designed the Windows Start
>>button should be shot as well? Talk about stupid design, Click on a
>>"start" button to turn OFF your computer. I guess the boys of Redmond
>>don't know how to design a toggle switch.
>>[/color]
>
>
> I do have a icon in the lower left side. It doesn't say anything about
> "start" on it. Did I miss something or are you just being a pompous jerk
> again?
>
>[/color]


The latter no doubt!
Frank

Mea505 wrote:[color=blue]
> Hello, all:
>
> A friend of mine just purchased (from one of the television programs,
> which has an association with Dell) a new laptop computer. However,
> before she bought it, she did not realize it had Vista on it.[/color]


Dell sells computers with either WinXP, Linux, or Vista, and the
purchaser must specify the desired OS at the time of purchase. Did your
friend not pay full attention to the advertisement (dazzled by the glitz
and price tag, perhaps?), or was the seller deceptive? If the latter,
she should return the computer, cancel the credit card payment, and
contact her local law enforcement agencies.

[color=blue]
> She
> wants to take Vista off and put Windows XP on the computer. I (as well
> as a lot of other people I know) have heard a lot of 'bad publicity'
> about Vista.[/color]


Ah! Decision making by rumor! A very popular, tried and true method
of choosing amongst options.

[color=blue]
> She doesn't want it, she cannot use it because, well, she
> is not comfortable working with this specific OS and wants to take it
> off and put Windows XP.
>
> What's the down-side associated with Vista?[/color]


None whatsoever, provided the computer's hardware components,
peripherals, device drivers used and applications installed are compatible.

[color=blue]
> Why are so many people
> complaining about it?[/color]


Three primary reasons, which are pretty much the same every time a new
operating system is released:

*1)* They rushed out to buy the newest and shiniest OS without taking a
few minutes to determine:

a. If they really needed a new operating system,

b. If the new operating system would or could meet their computing
needs and desires,

c. If their existing hardware was adequate to meet the new OS'
requirements,

d. If the manufacturers of their PC's components and/or peripherals
(printers, scanners, cameras, etc.) had provided new, Vista-specific
device drivers and/or software to use with their products,

e. And whether or not all of the 3rd party applications that they
already owned were Vista-compatible, or could be made so be a patch or
update from each programs' respective manufacturer.


*2)* A steeper than expected learning curve. Vista is different from
earlier versions of Windows, and learning those differences takes time
and effort.


*3)* A simple, old-fashioned (but all too common) fear of change, which
seems to be why your friend doesn't want it, based on what you've said.

[color=blue]
> I have never seen it, I don't want to see it and
> I am happy with what I have, which is Windows XP. However, will there
> be on "untoward problems" associated with the concept of taking Vista
> off and changing the platform to Windows XP?
>[/color]


There could be a couple possible adverse repercussions. First and
foremost, if the specific laptop model in question was designed
specifically for Vista, there may well be no WinXP-specific device
drivers available to make the laptop work properly. Secondly, removing
an OEM-installed operating system and replacing with another will almost
invariably void any and all support agreements and, sometimes, even the
warranty. Your friend would, at the very least, have to re-install
Vista before getting any support from the manufacturer.

Your friend should return the laptop to the seller and exchange it for
one with WinXP, if possible.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
[url]http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm[/url]
[url]http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html[/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 Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot