Recently, I purchased an Acer 3680 laptop, which had Vista Basic installed.
Because Vista would not support certain programs and because it was so difficult to set up the laptop for networking, I decided to change over to XP Pro.
I purchased a new XP CD and downloaded drivers and utilities from this site
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers...k/as_3680.html (using the ftp site at the bottom of the page - just "driver" and "utilities" for 3680, the rest are Vista-related).
I used FlashGet (a free download manager - if downloading file gets internet-disconnected, you'll be able to pick up where you left off). You can download it here: http://www.flashget.com/index_en.htm
I then transferred Driver/Utility Zip files to a CD and began the hunt for guides to install the XP. After many hours of searching on Google, I finally decided to call Microsoft Tech Support at (800) 234-6020 (5am - 9pm Pacific). You are allowed 2 free support requests. I told them what I wanted to do, Vista Home to XP Pro, with a new XP CD (had product key). They were very helpful and patient.
Remember - Before you begin this process - all data that you have on your computer will be erased. So.....make sure you burn files, music, programs, etc. onto CD-RW disks.
Following are the steps taken to have a successful install of XP, broken into 4 parts. (Please read thoroughly before you begin.):
--- Change "boot-up" to start from DVD/CD-Rom (steps #1-5)
--- Accept Microsoft Agreement (steps #6-8)
--- Partition changes and removal of Vista data (steps #9-14)
--- Setup (#15-18)
1) Put XP CD in CD-Rom, Shut Down computer, Power On, Press F2 immediately
2) This brings you to Setup Utility. Use arrow keys to move highlighter over to "Boot". Press Enter.
3) You are now looking at Boot Priority Order. You want to change the Hard Disk (#1) to DVD/CD-Rom (#2). Use F5 and F6 keys to change the order, making the DVD/CD-Rom #1 (where the XP CD is) and the Hard Disk #2.
4) Press F10 to Save and Exit
5) If Vista Password Prompt appears, press ESC You'll want the computer to re-boot. You will now see a Prompt at top of screen and a "Press any key to boot from CD" message - Do this.
6) The MS-DOS XP setup window will appear (this is a blue screen - don't worry - it's not bsod) - this will take a few moments to initiate. The screen appears for installing XP, press enter.
7) Follow the requests for Accepting XP Agreement (press F8)
8) Screen appears asking for qualifying CD (XP CD), just press Enter.
9) The next step appears - Partitioning. You will want to remove all partitions and re-create a new C Drive.
10) First highlight each existing partition (using arrow keys) - Press D (for delete) and then L (or Enter). Do this for each partition that exists until all partitions are deleted and you have all data in one number.
11) Now, you will be creating a new partition (Drive C). Highlight the remaining unpartitioned space and press C. Highlight the volume number and type in the size of this new partition as 16,500 MB. Press Enter. You now have successfully partitioned the C Drive.
12) You can partition additional space for other drives (Drive D, e.g.), following the same procedure as in #11 above.
13) Next, you will have Setup install XP on the new C Drive. Hightlight new partition and press Enter.
14) You will now be given a choice as to Format. Choose "Format the partition using the NTFS System" (not Quick). Press F. (This will take longer as Scan will be checking for bad sectors.)
The yellow status bar will begin to show formatting progress.
15) Now, the Setup Copy Files will begin. When the file copy is complete, Setup will initialize and save your XP configuration. It will then reboot your PC.
16) You may see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message again. If this happens, do not press a key: Setup will now boot from your C Drive. If you still see that it wants to boot from the CD, eject it and reboot.
17) Setup will take you through the next steps, including Naming Computer, Product Key, Password (don't forget it). Then Setup will copy files, complete installation and re-boot. You can take out XP CD now.
18) Microsoft Technicians had me re-boot several times to make sure the computer booted from the Hard Drive. I then installed drivers.
I would appreciate knowing if this guide has helped you. Thanks.
Because Vista would not support certain programs and because it was so difficult to set up the laptop for networking, I decided to change over to XP Pro.
I purchased a new XP CD and downloaded drivers and utilities from this site
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers...k/as_3680.html (using the ftp site at the bottom of the page - just "driver" and "utilities" for 3680, the rest are Vista-related).
I used FlashGet (a free download manager - if downloading file gets internet-disconnected, you'll be able to pick up where you left off). You can download it here: http://www.flashget.com/index_en.htm
I then transferred Driver/Utility Zip files to a CD and began the hunt for guides to install the XP. After many hours of searching on Google, I finally decided to call Microsoft Tech Support at (800) 234-6020 (5am - 9pm Pacific). You are allowed 2 free support requests. I told them what I wanted to do, Vista Home to XP Pro, with a new XP CD (had product key). They were very helpful and patient.
Remember - Before you begin this process - all data that you have on your computer will be erased. So.....make sure you burn files, music, programs, etc. onto CD-RW disks.
Following are the steps taken to have a successful install of XP, broken into 4 parts. (Please read thoroughly before you begin.):
--- Change "boot-up" to start from DVD/CD-Rom (steps #1-5)
--- Accept Microsoft Agreement (steps #6-8)
--- Partition changes and removal of Vista data (steps #9-14)
--- Setup (#15-18)
1) Put XP CD in CD-Rom, Shut Down computer, Power On, Press F2 immediately
2) This brings you to Setup Utility. Use arrow keys to move highlighter over to "Boot". Press Enter.
3) You are now looking at Boot Priority Order. You want to change the Hard Disk (#1) to DVD/CD-Rom (#2). Use F5 and F6 keys to change the order, making the DVD/CD-Rom #1 (where the XP CD is) and the Hard Disk #2.
4) Press F10 to Save and Exit
5) If Vista Password Prompt appears, press ESC You'll want the computer to re-boot. You will now see a Prompt at top of screen and a "Press any key to boot from CD" message - Do this.
6) The MS-DOS XP setup window will appear (this is a blue screen - don't worry - it's not bsod) - this will take a few moments to initiate. The screen appears for installing XP, press enter.
7) Follow the requests for Accepting XP Agreement (press F8)
8) Screen appears asking for qualifying CD (XP CD), just press Enter.
9) The next step appears - Partitioning. You will want to remove all partitions and re-create a new C Drive.
10) First highlight each existing partition (using arrow keys) - Press D (for delete) and then L (or Enter). Do this for each partition that exists until all partitions are deleted and you have all data in one number.
11) Now, you will be creating a new partition (Drive C). Highlight the remaining unpartitioned space and press C. Highlight the volume number and type in the size of this new partition as 16,500 MB. Press Enter. You now have successfully partitioned the C Drive.
12) You can partition additional space for other drives (Drive D, e.g.), following the same procedure as in #11 above.
13) Next, you will have Setup install XP on the new C Drive. Hightlight new partition and press Enter.
14) You will now be given a choice as to Format. Choose "Format the partition using the NTFS System" (not Quick). Press F. (This will take longer as Scan will be checking for bad sectors.)
The yellow status bar will begin to show formatting progress.
15) Now, the Setup Copy Files will begin. When the file copy is complete, Setup will initialize and save your XP configuration. It will then reboot your PC.
16) You may see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message again. If this happens, do not press a key: Setup will now boot from your C Drive. If you still see that it wants to boot from the CD, eject it and reboot.
17) Setup will take you through the next steps, including Naming Computer, Product Key, Password (don't forget it). Then Setup will copy files, complete installation and re-boot. You can take out XP CD now.
18) Microsoft Technicians had me re-boot several times to make sure the computer booted from the Hard Drive. I then installed drivers.
I would appreciate knowing if this guide has helped you. Thanks.
