How to go back to Windows XP

[jgrima]

I am the owner of a Vaio FE28B, and lately decided to upgrade to Vista. However I regretted my move, and want to go back to Windows XP. Is there any way to go back, restore to factory settings, maybe run a setup or something.

Thanks

[Blencogo]

Hi jgrima and welcome to Club Vaio.

It depends on how Vista was installed and if the HDD was formatted.

Try these: -

1. Turn on your Vaio and as soon as you see the first Vaio Logo screen, tap F10 repeatedly. If you still have your HDD Recovery intact, this will start the Recovery Wizard and you can choose to Recover Drive C:\ only or to Recovery to factory settings (which will erase both drive C:\ and drive D:\). Both will put back the original XP OS.

2. If this does not work (but try it several times) you can use your Recovery DVDs to reinstall XP. Insert the System DVD (No1) into the drive and shut down the Vaio. Reboot and it should start the Recovery Utility from the DVD.

3. If neither of these work, you will need to contact Sony Support and purchase a Recobvery Disc Set for about £30.

[jgrima]

Wonderful, didn't know about the F10 option!
It worked perfectly, I'm back to my so missed Windows XP!!

[Blencogo]

Windows XP SP3 is out to 15,000 testers in beta format.

Microsoft may be about to shoot themselves in the foot (again) because XP SP3 benchmarks 10% faster than SP2 - sadly Vista SP1 makes bugger-all difference to the speed of Vista.

It is due out before July - but you can bet it will be delayed until Vista SP1 is out. That is is Microsoft don't want to commit suicide!