If I buy a new laptop with Vista already on it, how can I change it to XP?

I already have a full version of Windows XP Professional. Also, how would I find the XP drivers for all the components on the laptop? They would all be written for Vista, so the ones it comes with might not work with XP.If I buy a new laptop with Vista already on it, how can I change it to XP?
';Downgrading'; from Vista to XP is not as difficult as you may think, but it does entail some time-consuming operations. Many online sources claim to offer techniques for reinstalling XP without having to reformat your hard disk. Based on my research, however, deleting the Vista partition and installing XP in its place is arguably the easiest approach. Moreover, this method ensures a clean install that is uncontaminated by Vista leftovers.



With your XP installation CD and your application discs in hand, you're ready to begin:



Step 1. Back up your data. Unfortunately, you can't restore in XP a backup that you created using Vista's Backup and Restore Center. That means you have to either back up your data files manually or use a third-party backup tool that works in both XP and Vista. One such program is 2BrightSparks' SyncBack (more info), which is available in free and paid versions.



Don't bother backing up your applications; you'll need to reinstall them from their installation CDs after XP is back in place.



Do back up the folders that your portable apps use to store their data. The portable apps themselves won't need to be reinstalled, but you'll have to restore their data files from the backup. Managing portable apps is discussed in the Oct. 18, 2007, Top Story, ';Free software on USB enables portable computing.';



Step 2. If necessary, configure your BIOS to boot your computer from a CD, if one is present. Insert your XP installation disk and reboot.



Step 3. When XP setup loads, follow the on-screen prompts to accept the license agreement and continue installing XP. When you get to the screen prompting you for the partition on which to install XP, select the one containing Vista and press D to delete the partition. You'll need to press Enter and then L to confirm that you want to delete all data and software on the partition.



Step 4. Once you've returned to the partitioning screen, select the unpartitioned space that used to be Vista. You may see that this space has been selected for you automatically. Next, press C to create a partition. Specify the desired partition size, or press Enter to accept the default allotment, which is the maximum possible partition. (Simply pressing Enter instead of C also creates a new partition of the default size.)



Step 5. If you're still seeing the partition screen, make sure the desired partition is selected and press Enter. Choose the option that formats the disk as NTFS and press Enter again.



Step 6. Follow the prompts on-screen to continue the XP installation.



Step 7. Reinstall your applications and restore your data from your backup.



That's all there is to it. If you ever change your mind, you can always insert your Vista DVD and upgrade from XP to Vista all over again.





As to how to install XP drivers on your Vista laptop: Visit this site for more info http://www.ehow.com/how_5019442_install-





(All the above info has been searched.)