Windows 7

[psoileau]

Greetings!

I just purchased a Satellite L555D-S7930 which has Windows 7 installed.

For work, I need to also be able to run Windows XP.

Can anyone give me any advice, pointers, tips, URLs, or any other help on how to best do this?

I've already made the Recovery DVDs (2 for OS and 1 for apps/drivers).

Is it easier to just make this a Win XP laptop rather than a dual-boot?  My major concern is drivers.

I've noticed a number of posts on various internet sites from folks describing issues with finding

the correct drivers for Win XP when downgrading a laptop which originally had Windows 7 installed.

Thanks!

Patrick

[cee_64]

While it is technically possible to install XP on that system, you're going to have to do a lot of legwork to find all of the drivers for it.  Toshiba only has a couple of them available so you'll have to check the various chipset manufacturer' support site to find them, and there is no guarantee that they have them. 

This is a guide for adding XP to an existing WIndows 7 installation and enabling dual boot. 

--------------------8<------------------- <snip> ------------------

You need to make sure that your XP install disk is at least SP1 level or higher for it to recognize a hard drive larger than 137gb in size.  You can integrate SP1, 2, or 3 into your XP Install Disk by using nLite as per this guide.

Because Windows XP doesn't have native SATA support you'll need to follow this guide to integrate your SATA drivers into your XP Install Disk.  You'll need to substitute these AMD SATA drivers for the Intel and Marvel ones listed in the guide though.  You can integrate your Service Packs during this procedure as well.

--------------------8<------------------- <snip> ------------------

Install your drivers in this order.
Restart after each driver and take the time to test between drivers.
Some will apply and some won't.

Chipset software
Display driver
Sound driver
Modem Driver
If your machine has the internal WiFi card, then install the WLAN and/or WiFi driver
ACPI Common Modules (required for Power management tools to function)
Toshiba Console
Display Hotkey utility
Touchpad Driver
Touchpad enable/disable utility
Toshiba Network Device Switch utility
Toshiba Power Saver Utility
Toshiba Controls
Toshiba Utilities

--------------------8<------------------- <snip> ------------------

[Jerry_Lippey]

Satellite L555D-S7930

The least of the evils, Patrick, may be to upgrade Windows 7 to the Pro or Ultimate version and run XP Mode. I have it here on two computers and it really does solve the problem.

   Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC

[cee_64]

Download securable from Steve Gibson research to tell you if your hardware supports XP Mode or not.  It will tell you if the CPU has the Hardware VT necessary to run it as well as if it's enabled in the bios.

http://www.grc.com/files/securable.exe

[Jerry_Lippey]

Microsoft offers this one when you go to their XP Mode area.

   Microsoft Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool

Unless Toshiba has it disabled, that processor supplies virtualization.

[cee_64]

Sweet.  I hadn't seen that one before Jerry.  Gotta add that to my list. 

[psoileau]

Thank you kindly for your assistance!

[Jerry_Lippey]

I wouldn't try to install XP on that machine. You may not be able to locate drivers.