Downgrading from Win 8

[Pfsszxt]

I'm seriously considering dumping Win 8 from a new computer
and installing either XP Pro or Win 7 very possibly the former--
and keep it on 'til the updates stop nest year and then, if I live
that long, upgrading to Win 7.
Yeah ---laugh all you want -- but, to my actual question:
My understand is that I install the OS then install the drivers
(right?). So, that's fine --if I have the drivers on a disk.
But, suppose I download the drivers ahead of installing the OS --
how then do I get them on the machine?

 

[Paul]

I'm seriously considering dumping Win 8 from a new computer
and installing either XP Pro or Win 7 very possibly the former--
and keep it on 'til the updates stop nest year and then, if I live
that long, upgrading to Win 7.
Yeah ---laugh all you want -- but, to my actual question:
My understand is that I install the OS then install the drivers
(right?). So, that's fine --if I have the drivers on a disk.
But, suppose I download the drivers ahead of installing the OS --
how then do I get them on the machine?

You can "slipstreeam" drivers into an installer DVD.
Then, burn a new DVD. This site illustrates a tool with
that capability. Note that, as new OSes come out,
you may need to find another software product, to do
the job. The developers who do stuff like this, they
eventually tire of putting a lot of work into this
stuff for free. And then someone else comes along to
pick up the slack.

http://www.nliteos.com/guide/part1.html

http://www.nliteos.com/guide/pictures/a6.jpg

Only drivers in a certain format, can be integrated. Not
all driver package formats are acceptable.

The advantage of integrating drivers, is to make a custom
reinstallation disc, for a particular machine.

*******

You install drivers, after the base OS is installed.

And, you might ask, how is that possible ?

It's possible, because:

1) Base OS has standard drivers for hard disk drives.
And that support gets better, from OS to OS.
Windows 7 would have IDE, AHCI, and RAID (limited brands).
No need to "F6 in a driver" as a result.

2) Video driver fallback. The base OS has a VESA driver. Video
cards contain a VESA BIOS. The declarations (plug and play), allow
the screen to be operated in a basic mode. The resolution is
typically lower than normal. While working in the low-resolution
screen, you can then start to install the video related drivers.
(DirectX, AGP driver, .NET 2.0 or higher for the control panel,
video card package).

Same thing happens, when you uninstall the video driver, using
Add/Remove. The screen needs something to work with, and goes
back to VESA mode and the fallback driver.

3) Mouse and keyboard follow standards. Such as HID and USB
standards. Driver is built into the OS.

So with some luck, enough basic drivers are already present,
you get a tiny screen to work in, and finish driver installation.

Dealing with a busted NIC can be a problem, especially
if you didn't "plan ahead" and put the drivers on a
CD or a USB stick. Usually, the NIC comes with support
back to the dawn of time, so of all the hardware types,
driver coverage is usually pretty good for NICs. Just
a matter of getting the files in the first place (from
Intel, Broadcom, Marvell, RealTek, VIA etc.)

Have fun,
Paul

 

[Ken Blake]

I'm seriously considering dumping Win 8 from a new computer
and installing either XP Pro or Win 7 very possibly the former--
and keep it on 'til the updates stop nest year and then, if I live
that long, upgrading to Win 7.
Yeah ---laugh all you want -- but, to my actual question:

I won't laugh, but you'd be making a bad mistake, as far as I'm
concerned.

My understand is that I install the OS then install the drivers
(right?). So, that's fine --if I have the drivers on a disk.
But, suppose I download the drivers ahead of installing the OS --
how then do I get them on the machine?

Copy them to a CD, DVD, thumb drive, etc., then install them from that
after installing the operating system.

 

[Darklight]

I won't laugh, but you'd be making a bad mistake, as far as I'm
concerned.



Copy them to a CD, DVD, thumb drive, etc., then install them from that
after installing the operating system.

I agree with the above. The reason being that the drivers won't or
are not available for modern hardware using winxp. I could be wrong
see link below.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/end-support-help

I also had a winxp compatible motherboard and if I tried to run modern
software on it using winxp. It did not perform very well. So I installed
win7 on it. And it was a vast improvement over winXP. Main area was
internet use.

If you want to go back to winxp the safest
way is to use virtualbox. As I think in your thread you started
about 'confusion' some did recommend you try virtualbox.

Owe and about your computer icon. If you look at the taskbar in the win8
desktop you should see a icon to the left that looks like a folder with a
half blue square in the bottom middle of it. left click on it and you will
see that it functions the same way the 'my computer' icon does in winxp.

 

[Pfsszxt]

I won't laugh, but you'd be making a bad mistake, as far as I'm
concerned.

Well, I know there are many, maybe most, who agree with you.
But, Win 8 to me is no longer "personal computing" and in fact
is the final end of such.
But, I'm nearly 79 years old and probably won't last longer
than WinXP followed my Win7.
I've been doing computers since the very begining --
my first was before floppy disks were invented and before
the word "software" was coined.
So I want access to the computer and won't change because
Microsoft says I should!

 

[Pfsszxt]

Copy them to a CD, DVD, thumb drive, etc., then install them from that
after installing the operating system.

Isn't there more to installation than sinply copying? Copy to where
--just anywhere --- ? I'm not convinced. And if this failed I have
nothing!

 

[John Williamson]

Isn't there more to installation than sinply copying? Copy to where
--just anywhere --- ? I'm not convinced. And if this failed I have
nothing!

What you will download from the component makers' websites will be
programs to install the drivers. Copy these to a USB stick or CD-R and
run them to install the drivers.

 

[Bucky \Optimist\ Breeder]

Isn't there more to installation than sinply copying? Copy to where
--just anywhere --- ? I'm not convinced. And if this failed I have
nothing!

Most drivers, you simply copy the exe to your hard-drive... desktop is
fine... sometimes some folks put them on the "C:\" drive; but that may send
your 3rd-party firewalls/AVs into tizzy-fits...

Once you've copied them, you double-click and generally it will give you an
'extraction dialog' which generally you can just go with the defaults...
Presuming based on a deduction that if you've made any power-user directory
or partition exeptions, you wouldn't be seeking assistance on this
particular issue.

Hang in there on Windows 8! Like all things, you'll get used to it and
adapt to it. It'll still be " s - t - 0 - 0 - p - i - d " ; but, you will
get used to it - and be up with the times as a bonus for no extra charge.

HTH.

--

I AM Bucky Breeder, (*(^; and ,
I thought of running for mayor of NYC...
but s'exting pictures of my penis back
to myself suddenly makes me a "narcisisst"?

Since when did THAT become a "bad thing"?
Oh well, "Sticks and stones..."

 

[Carpe_Diem]

Op 8/09/2013 16:03, (e-mail address removed) schreef:

I'm seriously considering dumping Win 8 from a new computer
and installing either XP Pro or Win 7 very possibly the former--
and keep it on 'til the updates stop nest year and then, if I live
that long, upgrading to Win 7.
Yeah ---laugh all you want -- but, to my actual question:
My understand is that I install the OS then install the drivers
(right?). So, that's fine --if I have the drivers on a disk.
But, suppose I download the drivers ahead of installing the OS --
how then do I get them on the machine?

First : do the upgrade Windows 8.1.
Still convinced to downgrade? Take Windows 7 and forget XP.
I am "old" too, but upgrading from XP to W7 was no problem at all.

 

[Seth]

Well, I know there are many, maybe most, who agree with you.
But, Win 8 to me is no longer "personal computing" and in fact
is the final end of such.
But, I'm nearly 79 years old and probably won't last longer
than WinXP followed my Win7.

Install Classic Shell (or similar) and Win8 is nearly identical to Win7.

I've been doing computers since the very begining --
my first was before floppy disks were invented and before
the word "software" was coined.
So I want access to the computer and won't change because
Microsoft says I should!

But access what? I have access to everything on my system. But then again I
don't store non-static items in places I shouldn't (like some people store
data in the same folder the program that uses said data under \Program Files
which is where data should never be stored).

 

[Paul]

And if this failed I have nothing!

Not true, if you backup the laptop to an external USB hard drive.

And some hard drives, come with software to help you make
the copy or whatever. For example, both Seagate and Western Digital,
offer versions of Acronis TIH for download, as long as you're using
one of their branded disk drives.

The reason I specify an external USB hard drive, is they're the most
likely to work in a variety of scenarios. Using network shares isn't
nearly as trouble free. Some restore software, won't allow you to go
to the network for the data. And that's where the USB hard drive
comes in.

*******

If the laptop maker offers a "downgrade DVD", there's a chance
that will work better than something we cook up here for you.

But backups are all part of the game. When I got my laptop,
the first two days were spent preparing all the DVDs for
restoration, as well as completely backing up the hard drive.
Not many people seem to bother with that, but now I'm protected
against hard drive failure. Pop in an empty drive, and I have
a ton of options.

Paul

 

[Pfsszxt]

Most drivers, you simply copy the exe to your hard-drive... desktop is
fine... sometimes some folks put them on the "C:\" drive; but that may send
your 3rd-party firewalls/AVs into tizzy-fits...

Once you've copied them, you double-click and generally it will give you an
'extraction dialog' which generally you can just go with the defaults...
Presuming based on a deduction that if you've made any power-user directory
or partition exeptions, you wouldn't be seeking assistance on this
particular issue.

Hang in there on Windows 8! Like all things, you'll get used to it and
adapt to it. It'll still be " s - t - 0 - 0 - p - i - d " ; but, you will
get used to it - and be up with the times as a bonus for no extra charge.

HTH.

Well, I probably won't live that long --but I'll try that
after XP stops upgrades and then Win 7 stops upgrades.
Being "up with the times" is not high on my list --- I don't even
own anything with a touch screen and, so fa,r haven't found any reason
to do so. What is the expression ? Ah, --- "he's old and set in his
ways".

 

[Pfsszxt]

Install Classic Shell (or similar) and Win8 is nearly identical to Win7.

Well, I did install Classic Shell. And "nearly" subjective.
I didn't find it so --- but then I haven't learned Win 7 well yet
either --- just bought a new laptop with 7 installed so I'll start

 

[Pfsszxt]

Op 8/09/2013 16:03, (e-mail address removed) schreef:
First : do the upgrade Windows 8.1.
Still convinced to downgrade? Take Windows 7 and forget XP.
I am "old" too, but upgrading from XP to W7 was no problem at all.

That's what I'll plan to do --- after XP stops upgrades.

 

[dadiOH]

So I want access to the computer and won't change because
Microsoft says I should!

You have as much "access to the computer" with Win 8 as you do/did with any
previous OS.

Just out of curiosity, just what is it you want to access and what do you
want to do with it? Regardless, it is probably a bad idea.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

 

[Juan Wei]

(e-mail address removed) has written on 9/9/2013 11:41 AM:

Being "up with the times" is not high on my list --- I don't even
own anything with a touch screen and, so fa,r haven't found any reason
to do so. What is the expression ? Ah, --- "he's old and set in his
ways".

I have a friend who is 79. He is completely non-technical and HATES
change. Recently, I convinced him to dump his XP machine that he
complained was running very slowly and had him buy an inexpensive Win 8
all-in-one. I fixed it up with StartIsBack ($3.00) and a couple of extra
tricks, so that it boots to the log in screen and then goes directly to
the desktop. He has had ZERO trouble using it. In fact, he has no idea
that it's running Win 8.

I had previously done the same thing on a laptop of mine. I have access
to the command line, hidden files, all the Windows management tools, etc.

No touch screens in either of the above.

P.S. I did the same for friend's wife and for my wife, too.

You have nothing to fear!

 

[Ken Blake]

Isn't there more to installation than sinply copying?

Yes. Read the *entire* sentence you quoted above.

Copy to where
--just anywhere --- ? I'm not convinced.

Please read the sentence: "Copy them to a CD, DVD, thumb drive, etc."

"*Then* then install them from that after installing the operating
system."

 

[Ken Blake]

On 09 Sep 2013 14:38:04 GMT, "Bucky \"Optimist\" Breeder"

Well, I probably won't live that long --but I'll try that
after XP stops upgrades and then Win 7 stops upgrades.
Being "up with the times" is not high on my list --- I don't even
own anything with a touch screen and, so fa,r haven't found any reason
to do so.

I don't own anything with a touch screen either.

Please remember that Windows 8 has two interfaces--the metro/modern
interface that is apparently all you've looked at, and the desktop
interface. The desktop interface is almost exactly like Windows 8's,
especially if you install a utility like Start8.

If you do nothing but use the metro/modern interface, Windows 8 is
very different from what you are accustomed to and takes time to get
used to it. But as I've said several times, using the metro/modern
interface is *not* a requirement of running Windows 8.

Being "up with the times" *should* be high on your list. It gives you
better security and keeps you compatible with newer and better
software and hardware as they come out.

What is the expression ? Ah, --- "he's old and set in his
ways".

I'm almost as old as you; I'm 75, but I'm not as set in my ways as you
are. Living in the past is dangerous and not wise.

 

[Pfsszxt]

(e-mail address removed) has written on 9/9/2013 11:41 AM:

I have a friend who is 79. He is completely non-technical and HATES
change. Recently, I convinced him to dump his XP machine that he
complained was running very slowly and had him buy an inexpensive Win 8
all-in-one. I fixed it up with StartIsBack ($3.00) and a couple of extra
tricks, so that it boots to the log in screen and then goes directly to
the desktop. He has had ZERO trouble using it. In fact, he has no idea
that it's running Win 8.

Well first one would have to know that all these add-ons existed,
then how to use them etc. I installed classic Shell and downloaded
and installed some software and moved some stuff from older
computers. But just trivial stuff --- find directories, scan
directories, store in specific directories, make directories , etc
etc are all mysteries. I';v already become the standing joke in
the Win 8 group because of all the dumb questions.
And at my age, why bother ??
I'll worry about that stuff after they stop upgrading Win 7
rather that beating my head against a wall making Win 8
imitate Win 7.

 

[Juan Wei]

(e-mail address removed) has written on 9/9/2013 1:07 PM:

Well first one would have to know that all these add-ons existed,
then how to use them etc.

StartIsBack is the only add-on. The rest are configurations.

I installed classic Shell and downloaded
and installed some software and moved some stuff from older
computers. But just trivial stuff --- find directories, scan
directories, store in specific directories, make directories , etc
etc are all mysteries.

What did you use in XP to do those things? Windows Explorer? Guess what
-- Win 8 has it, too.

Once you install StartIsBack and do the configurations, THERE'S NOTHING
ELSE TO LEARN!!! You will have a Win-7-working machine.