Windows XP

so Windows Vista SP 2 still DCs me @ HT so im pissed and im gonna have to install windows XP,

before i do i have a couple questions

1- how do i install it.
2- Can i use that same CD that i buy to install windows XP in more than 1 computer? like with its activation code thingy?
3- do i loose all my files?
4- do i re-install my video card?
5- how do i make sure my video card is compatible in windows XP?
my video card is : NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS


[SIZE="4"]Edit--------------------------------[/SIZE]
-i am looking towards purchasing a Windows XP CD from staples / circuit city / hardware shops.

and 1 more question:
6- Should i just go for Windows XP or download windows 7 RC for free and try that out?

DO NOTICE : i am trying to Fix this Horntail DC's and sometimes zakum...

Backing up your files will take care of # 3.
# 1 Im sure you just boot into it and reformat and install (again, backing up saves the files).
The Video card im not too sure on, but it should still be compatible with XP, as it is still the choice OS, so they usually make them work with older versions.
And usually you cant use the sam code on more than one pc.

so Windows Vista SP 2 still DCs me @ HT so im pissed and im gonna have to install windows XP,

before i do i have a couple questions

1- how do i install it.
2- Can i use that same CD that i buy to install windows XP in more than 1 computer? like with its activation code thingy?
3- do i loose all my files?
4- do i re-install my video card?
5- how do i make sure my video card is compatible in windows XP?
my video card is : NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

1.) The disk you have with Windows XP on it is what is called a boot disk. You put it in your CD drive then restart your computer, and then it should load up the XP installation screen automatically. Try it beforehand to make sure and get back to us, since it may require changing something in your BIOS.

2.) I'm unsure about this one. Microsoft is weird about Windows Genuine Advantage, so maybe or maybe not. Worse case scenario, you look for some keys online somewhere.

3.) As the above poster stated, you'll want to back up all pertinent data before actually reinstalling XP. To get the optimum performance and all that, you'll want to wipe the whole drive and start from scratch. This will clear off everything on there, but you'll be left with a totally fresh installation of XP.

4.) You'll just want to check the Nvidia website for a driver update.

5.) Your video card will be compatible. XP has legacy driver support reaching back into the nineties. You should be perfectly fine, although making sure your drivers are updated will yield the best performance possible for your machine.

so Windows Vista SP 2 still DCs me @ HT so im pissed and im gonna have to install windows XP,

before i do i have a couple questions

1- how do i install it.
2- Can i use that same CD that i buy to install windows XP in more than 1 computer? like with its activation code thingy?
3- do i loose all my files?
4- do i re-install my video card?
5- how do i make sure my video card is compatible in windows XP?
my video card is : NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

1.You boot from the cd (if you dont know how, google it), and then its pretty much like a wizard... the installer will explain you step by step what to do.
2.Depends. Is it a legit copy? if yes, how many licenses did you buy?
3.Yes, you might want to back up the important things before you do it to a DVD\usb stick
4.Yes. Just to clarify, if you dont install it you can still see things on the screen, its just that you wont be able to use complicated things like 3d and directx (maple uses these). If you dont got the installation cd rom you can just google the card's name, these sort of things can usually be downloaded for free.
5.Theres no such thing as a video card that is not compatible with XP. Just download the driver that says windows xp.

please read my edit ~ ^^

Alternatively, Al, I've found that changing your graphics settings in Maple once or twice during bosses, particularly at highly laggy moments, works wonders. I've yet to dc from a boss fight from anything other than my own crappy internet connection being dropped. I also play 100% in window mode if that means anything.

i cant play windows moded, too small i cant even read maple in it ....
and i have tried windows mode today in HT, and dcd right after landind @ the cave and moving right, i do change my graphics for zakum (have for a while) and it still disconnects me now and then with a hackshield initisalization error which suxx

[SIZE="4"]Edit--------------------------------[/SIZE][/B]
-i am looking towards purchasing a Windows XP CD from staples / circuit city / hardware shops.

and 1 more question:
6- Should i just go for Windows XP or download windows 7 RC for free and try that out?

DO NOTICE : i am trying to Fix this Horntail DC's and sometimes zakum...

I didn't try windows 7 RC by myself, but i know many people who used it and they say that maple works better on it than on vista. Im not sure if its better than xp, though. the main problem is that in less than a year you will have to reformat and reinstall windows.

yeah June 1st 2010.. ummm would i be able to add XP then? or go back to vista then XP or just windows 7RC once again?

Heres what you can do.

1. Backup all your important files (If you have a storage drive, this is a cinch)
2. Shutdown or restart and get into the BIOS to set first boot device to CDROM
3. When the message "Press any key to boot to CD..." comes up, press any key (Yes literally ANY KEY!)
4. When the Windows XP setup comes up press the option to install and agree to the EULA (who reads that nowadays >_>)
5. In the partitions screen, delete the Windows vista partition. DO NOT DELETE THE STORAGE PARTITION.
6. What are we trying to do here is to dual boot Windows XP and Windows 7 here. This is highly suggested because you can use/test the much better Windows 7, or go to XP if 7 is having compatibility problems with a program. So, make two partitions 1/2 and 1/2.
7. Format the first partition with a quick or low level format (Low level format if you do not mind waiting).
8. Rest of the stuff is basic from here, copying files CD-Key, language settings, time.
9. Once you're finally into Windows, install all drivers and programs you need.
10. Format the 2nd unformatted partition using Windows XP disk management (Right click My Computer -> Manage -> Disk Management)
11. Take out the Windows XP CD and put in the Windows 7 RC DVD.
12. Restart/Shutdown your computer again.
13. Repeat step 3.
14. Select Language options and continue
15. Press the big Install now button
16. Agree to the EULA as usual and select the 2nd partition. (DO NOT TOUCH THE XP partition at all! [Or the storage partition if you have one])
17. Go read a book/do something else as the installation is pretty much automatic for the next 15-20 minutes.
18. Once finally done, follow the instructions on the screen and finally put in your Windows 7 CD-key.
19. Install drivers/programs for Windows 7.

Done.

make love to me.... u r genious lol