Installing XP on a Lenovo Laptop

[P. Jayant]

I have a Lenovo G550 laptop with Windows 7 pre-installed (no installation
disk from MS but a startup disk created immediately after installation). I
have no problem using the Laptop and Windows 7 since I am currently using it
at home where I have some friends around to consult in case of a problem. My
son who is going abroad for a few weeks wants to take the Laptop with him
after installing XP SP2 on it, if this is feasible. If that works, will the
software like Easy Capture with the built-in camera , LG Power Tools, VLC
Media Player and other software pre-installed on the Laptop work under XP?
Or have I to search for drivers which will enable these applications work
under XP?

When he returns, I plan to install Windows 7 back again on the laptop using
the startup disk.

P. Jayant

 

[LD55ZRA]

I have a Lenovo G550 laptop with Windows 7 pre-installed (no installation
disk from MS but a startup disk created immediately after installation). I
have no problem using the Laptop and Windows 7 since I am currently using it
at home where I have some friends around to consult in case of a problem. My
son who is going abroad for a few weeks wants to take the Laptop with him
after installing XP SP2 on it, if this is feasible. If that works, will the
software like Easy Capture with the built-in camera , LG Power Tools, VLC
Media Player and other software pre-installed on the Laptop work under XP?
Or have I to search for drivers which will enable these applications work
under XP?

When he returns, I plan to install Windows 7 back again on the laptop using
the startup disk.

P. Jayant

You could create an image of your HD and store it on an external hard
disk. Then you can reformat your HD and install Windows XP SP3
(incidentally you need SP3 because SP2 support is coming to an end).
You son can take this laptop with him but I am not sure if you have all
the XP drivers for your machine because these may be very difficult to
get hold of if the device is relatively new. So I am not in a position
to say whether your camera and other stuff will operate properly on your XP.

Now when your son is back, you are in a position to get back your
Windows 7 by using the image of the HD that you have saved separately.

Hope this gives you the idea what else to do and also some other guys
can also contribute here.



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FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LD55ZRA
OR ITS ASSOCIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LD55ZRA OR ITS
ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright LD55ZRA 2010.

 

[Gordon]

I have a Lenovo G550 laptop with Windows 7 pre-installed (no installation
disk from MS but a startup disk created immediately after installation). I
have no problem using the Laptop and Windows 7 since I am currently using
it at home where I have some friends around to consult in case of a
problem. My son who is going abroad for a few weeks wants to take the
Laptop with him after installing XP SP2 on it, if this is feasible. If
that works, will the software like Easy Capture with the built-in camera ,
LG Power Tools, VLC Media Player and other software pre-installed on the
Laptop work under XP? Or have I to search for drivers which will enable
these applications work under XP?

When he returns, I plan to install Windows 7 back again on the laptop
using the startup disk.

Why bother to change the OS at all? It won't suddenly stop working as you
cross the border...

 

[DL]

There's no point in trying to install winxp unless Lenovo provides winxp
drivers, if they don't, then don't even try .
None of your software will work unless its reinstalled, and then it might
not be compatible with winxp, and unless you have a separate software disk
you wont be able to install them. And BTW software doesn't have drivers.
All in all your plan, or your sons, is ill conceived and a pointless
exercise

 

[Bill Yanaire]

Why bother to change the OS at all? It won't suddenly stop working as you
cross the border...

Err <sigh> Umm, that is pretty good thinking, Err, Gordon. Err.

 

[Student]

You could create an image of your HD and store it on an external hard
disk. Then you can reformat your HD and install Windows XP SP3
(incidentally you need SP3 because SP2 support is coming to an end).
You son can take this laptop with him but I am not sure if you have all
the XP drivers for your machine because these may be very difficult to
get hold of if the device is relatively new. So I am not in a position
to say whether your camera and other stuff will operate properly on your XP.

All the drivers and bundled programs for xp appear to be available from Lenovo

http://consumersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/DriversDownloads/drivers_list.aspx?CategoryID=600154

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

You could create an image of your HD and store it on an external hard
disk. Then you can reformat your HD and install Windows XP SP3
(incidentally you need SP3 because SP2 support is coming to an end).
You son can take this laptop with him but I am not sure if you have all
the XP drivers for your machine because these may be very difficult to
get hold of if the device is relatively new. So I am not in a position
to say whether your camera and other stuff will operate properly on your XP.

Now when your son is back, you are in a position to get back your
Windows 7 by using the image of the HD that you have saved separately.

Hope this gives you the idea what else to do and also some other guys
can also contribute here.

You made me think of a variant of your idea...

Remove the laptops's hard drive and replace it by another drive. Install
Win XP on that drive. On his son's return, put the original drive back in.

Or get two new drives & clone the original to one of them using SW like the
free EASEUS Disk Copy. Then do the above using the second new drive. Now
you have two copies of the original drive...just in case something goes
wrong with the original.

 

[LD55ZRA]

You made me think of a variant of your idea...

Remove the laptops's hard drive and replace it by another drive. Install
Win XP on that drive. On his son's return, put the original drive back in.

Or get two new drives & clone the original to one of them using SW like the
free EASEUS Disk Copy. Then do the above using the second new drive. Now
you have two copies of the original drive...just in case something goes
wrong with the original.

Good idea but the only snag I can see is that on some laptops,
changing a HD is no simple job. You need to perform a complete
open-heart surgery! I don't know anything about Lenovo laptops
but Dell and HP are sometimes very difficult to perform simple
tasks!

hth


--
THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND. LD55ZRA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LD55ZRA
OR ITS ASSOCIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LD55ZRA OR ITS
ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright LD55ZRA 2010.

 

[Gordon]

You made me think of a variant of your idea...

Remove the laptops's hard drive and replace it by another drive. Install
Win XP on that drive. On his son's return, put the original drive back in.

Or get two new drives & clone the original to one of them using SW like
the
free EASEUS Disk Copy. Then do the above using the second new drive. Now
you have two copies of the original drive...just in case something goes
wrong with the original.

But why bother in the first place? Windows 7 won't stop working when the OPs
son crosses the border....

 

[choro]

Good idea but the only snag I can see is that on some laptops,
changing a HD is no simple job. You need to perform a complete
open-heart surgery! I don't know anything about Lenovo laptops
but Dell and HP are sometimes very difficult to perform simple
tasks!

hth

Hey idiote', haven't you ever heard about small print?

 

[John Doue]

Good idea but the only snag I can see is that on some laptops,
changing a HD is no simple job. You need to perform a complete
open-heart surgery! I don't know anything about Lenovo laptops
but Dell and HP are sometimes very difficult to perform simple
tasks!

hth

Well, I do not know this particular model, but a quick search on the
Internet told me that the hard drive is easily accessible, in keeping
with what was IBM habit.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Good idea but the only snag I can see is that on some laptops,
changing a HD is no simple job. You need to perform a complete
open-heart surgery! I don't know anything about Lenovo laptops
but Dell and HP are sometimes very difficult to perform simple
tasks!

hth

I'm with Gordon here. Most laptops these days have a door on the bottom for
the drives and a second door for the memory.

I should probably say most that I have looked at

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Good idea but the only snag I can see is that on some laptops,
changing a HD is no simple job. You need to perform a complete
open-heart surgery!

Any particular brands/models where the hard drive is difficult to
remove? Other than misidentifying Dells, which I've always found
reasonably simple to service, that is. Over the past 15 years, I've
rarely encountered a laptop that required much more than the removal of
one or two screws and a cover panel to access the hard drive. In fact,
many manufacturers used to recommend that the user remove the hard drive
(unless it was thought to be defective, of course) before sending the
laptop in for warranty service, in order to preserve/protect personal data.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

 

[LD55ZRA]

Any particular brands/models where the hard drive is difficult to
remove? Other than misidentifying Dells, which I've always found
reasonably simple to service, that is. Over the past 15 years, I've
rarely encountered a laptop that required much more than the removal
of one or two screws and a cover panel to access the hard drive. In
fact, many manufacturers used to recommend that the user remove the
hard drive (unless it was thought to be defective, of course) before
sending the laptop in for warranty service, in order to
preserve/protect personal data.

DELL INSPIRON 2600 which was in release between 2001 and 2002. It
originally came with 40 GB but now you can get a lager HD but it is
not worthwhile due to its requirement to remove all its parts and even
the keyboard. Not a simple task but possible but requires at least 1
hours job minimum.

Please provide a link where "manufacturers recommend that the user
remove the hard drive (unless it was thought to be defective, of course)
before sending the laptop in for warranty service, in order to
preserve/protect personal data." they say one should back the data but
you are making a very bizarre claim.

hth

ps1: Peter Foldes <[email protected]> is a convicted paedo using
his 12 year old sister to work for him as prostitute.

ps2: Jeff Strickland <[email protected]> has forced his mum to
prostitute herself by working for Peter Foldes so that he (Jeff)
can finance his drug habits!



--
THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND. LD55ZRA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LD55ZRA
OR ITS ASSOCIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LD55ZRA OR ITS
ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright LD55ZRA 2010.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

DELL INSPIRON 2600 which was in release between 2001 and 2002. It
originally came with 40 GB but now you can get a lager HD but it is
not worthwhile due to its requirement to remove all its parts and even
the keyboard. Not a simple task but possible but requires at least 1
hours job minimum.

Please provide a link where "manufacturers recommend that the user
remove the hard drive (unless it was thought to be defective, of course)
before sending the laptop in for warranty service, in order to
preserve/protect personal data." they say one should back the data but
you are making a very bizarre claim.

No "links," but it's been a standard recommendation from several
manufacturers for the 15+ years I've been supporting laptops in
enterprise environments.

And I'm not impressed by delusional, slanderous accusations against
others who've also pointed out your frequent departures from reality.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

 

[LD55ZRA]

No "links," but it's been a standard recommendation from several
manufacturers for the 15+ years I've been supporting laptops in
enterprise environments.

And I'm not impressed by delusional, slanderous accusations
against others who've also pointed out your frequent departures from
reality.

No links so no credibility in what you say. I have pointed this out to
you on many occasions As to slanderous accusations, they are not. I
have kept evidence in my "black book" and waiting for authorities to
contact me so that paedos and child molesters are dealt with swiftly.

Now your 15+ years of supporting laptops in enterprise environments,
have you come across the model I gave you and have you tried changing
its HD?

hth

ps1: Peter Foldes <[email protected]> is a convicted paedo using
his 12 year old sister to work for him as prostitute.

ps2: Jeff Strickland <[email protected]> has forced his mum to
prostitute herself by working for Peter Foldes so that he (Jeff)
can finance his drug habits!

--
THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND. LD55ZRA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LD55ZRA
OR ITS ASSOCIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF
BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF LD55ZRA OR ITS
ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright LD55ZRA 2010.

 

[Seth]

Now your 15+ years of supporting laptops in enterprise environments, have
you come across the model I gave you and have you tried changing its HD?

An Inspiron model wouldn't be used in an Enterprise environment.

 

[John John - MVP]

DELL INSPIRON 2600 which was in release between 2001 and 2002. It
originally came with 40 GB but now you can get a lager HD but it is
not worthwhile due to its requirement to remove all its parts and even
the keyboard. Not a simple task but possible but requires at least 1
hours job minimum.

On the Inspiron 2600 & 2650 remove *one* screw from the bottom and the
drive door opens and the drive slides out. In this day and age most
laptop hard disks are as easily removed.

John

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Bruce Chambers wrote:

Now your 15+ years of supporting laptops in enterprise environments,
have you come across the model I gave you and have you tried changing
its HD?

Actually, no. Dell's Inspirion line was, if I remember correctly, part
of their low-end consumer-grade offerings. Corporations, in my
experience, have generally purchased from the Latitude product line.

It may be that that particular model stymied your attempts to change the
hard drive, but that one limited experience certainly doesn't entitle
you to broadly condemn all Dell laptops, much less those of other
manufacturers.

Post back when you've finished high school, moved out of your parents
house, and garnered a few years experience working in the real world.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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

 

[Doum]

Any particular brands/models where the hard drive is difficult to
remove?

Asus EeePC 1005, I've replaced the 160GB stock HD with a 7200 RPM 320GB HD
and it was quite a job, the drive is located under the keyboard and you
almost have to take the netbook apart.

But is a netbook really a laptop? (Personally, I would think so)