Okay, my girlfriend bought an HP Pavillion DV6000 laptop about a month ago. It's been running fine until recently. It's been having numerous problems with Windows Live Messenger. An error keeps coming up saying "Windows Live Messenger has stopped working and needs to close". From my Google searches this problem is directly related to Windows Vista as no one has reported having this problem on an XP machine. I figured a good solution to get rid of the woes we're having (chatting on WLM via webcam is the primary function of the computer)is to drop her down to XP. I looked on the net and I found a page with all the XP drivers needed for her machine. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/... os=228&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us〈=en&product=1842155# I have a few questions. Since there are XP drivers available for it am I correct in assume I can downgrade the OS without problems? Secondly, do you think that HP would be willing to send an XP recovery disc even though this machine was sold with Vista on it? And lastly, I have a full version of Windows XP Home Edition that I used when building my computer. Would XP have good enough default drivers to get the computer up and running at the OS level so that I could install the other drivers or would I need to slipstream a new boot disc? Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer.

Link didn't post properly last time. Link

"Since there are XP drivers available for it am I correct in assume I can downgrade the OS without problems" I wouldn't assume that. I'd remove WLM before I tried a downgrade. See event viewer logs next time it happens. See exactly what it says for the time stamp. While it seems that some people "runas" Admin, I'd suggest that you do not do that. It opens a very large security hole in your system. The event viewer log might show a problem with security or encryption. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, antivirus, anti-spyware, Live CD's, backups, are in my top 10

"I have a full version of Windows XP Home Edition" The licence only covers install on one PC/Laptop You need to buy a retail version of XP, personally have not come across the Live Messenger problem, since SP1 and subsequent updates to Vista.

Micro Center was selling XP for HP OEMs for $150 last year. Also, I read that HP was selling XP machines with Vista licenses.

@ itguru The box for the one I have says it's good for 30 activations. It didn't come with my computer, it's an actual Windows XP Home box that I bought at a store. No where on it does it say it's only good for one computer.

Oh yeah but if you had read Windows XP Home EULA (End User License Agreement) you would known that you may install and use Windows XP Home unique product key on one computer only. Partially quoted from the EULA: Paragraph 1.1 Installation and use. You may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the Software on a single computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not be used by more than one processor at any one time on any single Workstation Computer. Nowhere in the EULA does it say you are entitled to 30 activations other than the following activation restrictions: Paragraph 1.2 Mandatory Activation. The license rights granted under this EULA are limited to the first thirty (30) days after you first install the Software unless you supply information required to activate your licensed copy in the manner described during the setup sequence of the Software. You can activate the Software through the use of the Internet or telephone; toll charges may apply. You may also need to reactivate the Software if you modify your computer hardware or alter the Software. There are technological measures in this Software that are designed to prevent unlicensed use of the Software. Microsoft will use those measures to confirm you have a legally licensed copy of the Software. If you are not using a licensed copy of the Software, you are not allowed to install the Software or future Software updates. Microsoft will not collect any personally identifiable information from your Workstation Computer during this process. Don't like it - return it wherever you purchased it for full refund provided that you have not broken the box seals. Already opened the box? Oh well give M$ a call and speak to one of their legalistic sales representative. Good luck. i_Xp/VistaUser