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In reply to the discussion: To XP or not to XP . . . ? [View all]ucrdem
(15,702 posts)20. ps - cautionary advice from an EasyBCD user forum mod, March 4, 2014:
That guide pre-dates UEFI BIOS by some years and doesn't take any account of the fact that your new laptop will have "secure boot" enabled by default.
If you turn off secure boot and overwrite the W8 boot files with an XP install (always assuming that your laptop internal hardware is supported by your XP disc (how old is it ?)), you will most likely have removed an OEM custom version of the bootmgr which will have contained your recovery and "factory reset" options.
It won't be a simple job to get those back.
Bear in mind that support for XP ends in about a month.
Have you considered running XP in a virtual machine instead of risking breaking your new PC ?
https://neosmart.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12816&highlight=GPT
If you turn off secure boot and overwrite the W8 boot files with an XP install (always assuming that your laptop internal hardware is supported by your XP disc (how old is it ?)), you will most likely have removed an OEM custom version of the bootmgr which will have contained your recovery and "factory reset" options.
It won't be a simple job to get those back.
Bear in mind that support for XP ends in about a month.
Have you considered running XP in a virtual machine instead of risking breaking your new PC ?
https://neosmart.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12816&highlight=GPT
In other words, the dual-boot option is ideal for a used PC with an empty drive, or a new hard drive, as Hobbit mentioned, but if you buy a brand-new machine, your best bet is a VM, which won't break your Windows 8 installation.
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It's a good idea if you have Virtualbox to do the last updates while you can.
Spitfire of ATJ
Mar 2014
#34
Great post. And I agree heartily with the Linux Mint recommendation below it. n/t
jtuck004
Mar 2014
#11
Of course the WSJ wants you to spend money for something you most likely won't need.
hobbit709
Mar 2014
#24
Windows XP support is ending on April 8 and scammers from India has become hyperactive!
David_ness
Mar 2014
#32