also if u can tell me which driver or what to look for. thank you

First go HERE and download and install Belarc Advisor. When you run this, it will give you an inventory of everything on your computer. That way you will now exactly what devices you have on your system, so you will know what dirvers you need to make everything work after you have installed Windows. Once you know which devices you have, you should make sure you have available all of the necessary drivers for those particular devices. All drivers can be downloaded from the Dell Support site, so you should download the ones you need, including the chipset drivers, as these will have to be installed first, and burn the installation files to a CD-R so that they are ready and available when you need them.  For your system, all drivers can be found at:

 

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&osl=EN&catid=-1&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_1720&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en

Too many people simply reformat and reinstall Windows and then come here to tell us that their video/sound/network/modem etc. doesn't work and they don't know exactly which drivers are necessary for their particular system. Taking the time to know which devices you have and having the drivers for those devices available before you reformat, will save you lots of time.

 

Steve

To answer your question, I believe you have to get the restore CD from the laptop manufacturer, then the liscense key from MS, and you have to only run one distro or the other (your "downgrading" the liscense, no using the liscense twice).

 

This isn't to say that downgrading is the best option (see above answers), just answering your question as I read it, and as I know how to answer it.

Hi according to some people on here you cant go back to XP if you have Vista on you computer, they seem to think that it is illegal to do that, I dont think so but what do I know, just thought you should know what some people on here think, have a great day  Terry

This should answer your questions about downgrading.

 

Microsoft Select License, Open License, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) License, and Full Packaged Product (FPP) License Downgrade Rights

Falling on deaf ears Jimmy.

A number of us had a round with tstroud on this very subject and then he jumps over to this thread and made that comment.

See this thread,

 

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=244135

 

those fact were pointed out to him but he does not believe and may be giving out information that violates the TOS. Dell-Gina is aware.

 

Thank you though for posting the info as well.

 

Good day,

Severus

Hi Jimmy and Severus, I am not arguing but I do have a question suppose someone or a business for that matter got rid of their computer and they had Vista on them and they deleted the operating system from them and pulled off the COA keycode and then sold or give the computers away and the person or persons that received the computers didn't know what was on them before what should they do, please let me know what you think,   thanks   Terry