I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade option.
Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.

Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
downgraded to XP.

What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
having to purchase the XP Pro?

Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".

Mark Scholl

I would take this up with Gateway. Why pay for something you did not order
and can not use. Time to call their sales/service/customer complaint
department.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User


"Mark Scholl" <mscholl@lcvcpa.com> wrote in message
news:%23yg1c%23UcHHA.4032@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
>I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
>were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade option.
>Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.
>
> Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
> tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
> downgraded to XP.
>
> What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
> having to purchase the XP Pro?
>
> Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".
>
> Mark Scholl
>
>
>[/color]

AFAIK, the OEM licenses (like you got if your OS was preinstalled from the
vendor) are not "downgradable", per se. Volume licenses, like normally used
by corporations, are.

Assuming you mean that your "client" wants a downgraded license (rather than
"vendor" as posted), I don't know of a way except to purchase Volume
licenses. Or, actual XP Pro licenses.

If you have prearranged this with the computer vendor, I would lay hard on
them to *make* them deliver the equipment as ordered, or reimburse you for
the entire order and accept the return of all.

-Frank

"Mark Scholl" <mscholl@lcvcpa.com> wrote in message
news:%23yg1c%23UcHHA.4032@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
>I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
>were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade option.
>Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.
>
> Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
> tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
> downgraded to XP.
>
> What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
> having to purchase the XP Pro?
>
> Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".
>
> Mark Scholl
>
>
>[/color]

Thanks for the quick response.

For the record, I did not order the equipment. My experience with Gateway
has not been favorable.

I will take this up with them.

Thanks.

Mark


"Frankster" <Frank@SPAM2TRASH.com> wrote in message
news:4vWdnShT0NVLEpfbnZ2dnUVZ_tWhnZ2d@giganews.com...[color=blue]
> AFAIK, the OEM licenses (like you got if your OS was preinstalled from the
> vendor) are not "downgradable", per se. Volume licenses, like normally
> used by corporations, are.
>
> Assuming you mean that your "client" wants a downgraded license (rather
> than "vendor" as posted), I don't know of a way except to purchase Volume
> licenses. Or, actual XP Pro licenses.
>
> If you have prearranged this with the computer vendor, I would lay hard on
> them to *make* them deliver the equipment as ordered, or reimburse you for
> the entire order and accept the return of all.
>
> -Frank
>
> "Mark Scholl" <mscholl@lcvcpa.com> wrote in message
> news:%23yg1c%23UcHHA.4032@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...[color=green]
>>I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
>>were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade
>>option. Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business
>>preinstalled.
>>
>> Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
>> tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
>> downgraded to XP.
>>
>> What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
>> having to purchase the XP Pro?
>>
>> Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".
>>
>> Mark Scholl
>>
>>
>>[/color]
>[/color]

I can fully understand your attempt to find another way. Gateway would be
my last choice. I have had many friends and family members get Gateway
products and with rare exceptions they all regretted it. Service, both
customer and technical is almost non existent after you buy. Sales is
obviously where they put all their resources.
Good luck.

"Mark Scholl" <mscholl@lcvcpa.com> wrote in message
news:e5d96IVcHHA.1216@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Thanks for the quick response.
>
> For the record, I did not order the equipment. My experience with Gateway
> has not been favorable.
>
> I will take this up with them.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Mark
>
>
> "Frankster" <Frank@SPAM2TRASH.com> wrote in message
> news:4vWdnShT0NVLEpfbnZ2dnUVZ_tWhnZ2d@giganews.com...[color=green]
>> AFAIK, the OEM licenses (like you got if your OS was preinstalled from
>> the vendor) are not "downgradable", per se. Volume licenses, like
>> normally used by corporations, are.
>>
>> Assuming you mean that your "client" wants a downgraded license (rather
>> than "vendor" as posted), I don't know of a way except to purchase Volume
>> licenses. Or, actual XP Pro licenses.
>>
>> If you have prearranged this with the computer vendor, I would lay hard
>> on them to *make* them deliver the equipment as ordered, or reimburse you
>> for the entire order and accept the return of all.
>>
>> -Frank
>>
>> "Mark Scholl" <mscholl@lcvcpa.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23yg1c%23UcHHA.4032@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...[color=darkred]
>>>I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
>>>were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade
>>>option. Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business
>>>preinstalled.
>>>
>>> Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
>>> tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the
>>> workstations downgraded to XP.
>>>
>>> What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
>>> having to purchase the XP Pro?
>>>
>>> Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".
>>>
>>> Mark Scholl
>>>
>>>
>>>[/color]
>>[/color]
>
>[/color]

Emachines which is now part of gateway is even worse. If you should be
unlucky enough to have to replace a hard drive and do not have the
original install disks, you can not download the drivers from Emachines.
They are non-existent on their site.


On Wed, 28 Mar 2007 09:10:57 -0700, John Barnes wrote:
[color=blue]
> I can fully understand your attempt to find another way. Gateway would
> be my last choice. I have had many friends and family members get
> Gateway products and with rare exceptions they all regretted it.
> Service, both customer and technical is almost non existent after you
> buy. Sales is obviously where they put all their resources. Good luck.
>
>[/color]

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
[url]http://www.newsfeeds.com[/url] The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

It is noted in the Product EULA that neither Microsoft nor the Manufacturer will supply such End User with media for such previous
versions. The End User must provide the downgrade media and a valid Product Key.

The PC manufacturer may not provide the end user with the Downgrade Software media. This media must come from the end user and must
be legally licensed from the Microsoft retail, OEM/System Builder, or volume license channels.



--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----


"Mark Scholl" wrote:

I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade option.
Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.

Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
downgraded to XP.

What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
having to purchase the XP Pro?

Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".

Mark Scholl

I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
were to be installed with Windows XP Pro

The PC manufacturer contracted to deliver XP Pro and is obligated to so
deliver. This is not a downgrade, but an adherence to the contract.


"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
news:81B3C8F4-F21F-4C00-904E-64B32945F8A7@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> It is noted in the Product EULA that neither Microsoft nor the
> Manufacturer will supply such End User with media for such previous
> versions. The End User must provide the downgrade media and a valid
> Product Key.
>
> The PC manufacturer may not provide the end user with the Downgrade
> Software media. This media must come from the end user and must
> be legally licensed from the Microsoft retail, OEM/System Builder, or
> volume license channels.
>
>
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows - Shell/User
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----
>
>
> "Mark Scholl" wrote:
>
> I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
> were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade
> option.
> Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.
>
> Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
> tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
> downgraded to XP.
>
> What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
> having to purchase the XP Pro?
>
> Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".
>
> Mark Scholl
>[/color]

Well, you have to sort out the problem with Gateway
as they are the vendor that supplied the computers.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----


"John Barnes" wrote:

I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
were to be installed with Windows XP Pro

The PC manufacturer contracted to deliver XP Pro and is obligated to so
deliver. This is not a downgrade, but an adherence to the contract.


"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
news:81B3C8F4-F21F-4C00-904E-64B32945F8A7@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> It is noted in the Product EULA that neither Microsoft nor the
> Manufacturer will supply such End User with media for such previous
> versions. The End User must provide the downgrade media and a valid
> Product Key.
>
> The PC manufacturer may not provide the end user with the Downgrade
> Software media. This media must come from the end user and must
> be legally licensed from the Microsoft retail, OEM/System Builder, or
> volume license channels.
>
>
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows - Shell/User
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----
>
>
> "Mark Scholl" wrote:
>
> I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
> were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade
> option.
> Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.
>
> Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
> tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
> downgraded to XP.
>
> What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
> having to purchase the XP Pro?
>
> Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".
>
> Mark Scholl
>[/color]

Exactly, they are the one who contracted to deliver the machines with XP Pro
on them.


"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
news:024120FD-BB4D-43A6-9654-72A8EF7A29CB@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> Well, you have to sort out the problem with Gateway
> as they are the vendor that supplied the computers.
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows - Shell/User
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----
>
>
> "John Barnes" wrote:
>
> I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
> were to be installed with Windows XP Pro
>
> The PC manufacturer contracted to deliver XP Pro and is obligated to so
> deliver. This is not a downgrade, but an adherence to the contract.
>
>
> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
> news:81B3C8F4-F21F-4C00-904E-64B32945F8A7@microsoft.com...[color=green]
>> It is noted in the Product EULA that neither Microsoft nor the
>> Manufacturer will supply such End User with media for such previous
>> versions. The End User must provide the downgrade media and a valid
>> Product Key.
>>
>> The PC manufacturer may not provide the end user with the Downgrade
>> Software media. This media must come from the end user and must
>> be legally licensed from the Microsoft retail, OEM/System Builder, or
>> volume license channels.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Carey Frisch
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows - Shell/User
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------*-----
>>
>>
>> "Mark Scholl" wrote:
>>
>> I have a client that ordered 5 workstations from a vendor (Gateway) that
>> were to be installed with Windows XP Pro with Vista express upgrade
>> option.
>> Unfortunately, the workstations arrived with Vista Business preinstalled.
>>
>> Their line of business application is not yet compatible with Vista - we
>> tried and failed miserably. The vendor wants to have all the workstations
>> downgraded to XP.
>>
>> What are the options for downgrading to XP Pro? Can this be done without
>> having to purchase the XP Pro?
>>
>> Need an answer soon as they are "dead in the water".
>>
>> Mark Scholl
>>[/color]
>[/color]