What's the Scoop?
Microsoft will stop accepting orders for Windows XP Professional after January 31st 2009. Once authorized Microsoft distributors have depleted their inventory, Rave will be unable to purchase Windows XP and will use alternative methods of providing system running Windows XP. You have several options to ease this transition and Rave is working directly with Microsoft to assist our customers with the process.
What Are My Alternatives?
- Pre-buy OEM Windows XP licenses before January 31, 2009, and Rave will warehouse software on future purchases
- Purchase Windows Vista and then downgrade to Windows XP Pro
- Qualify Windows XP Embedded
- Transition to Windows Vista
- Adopt an alternative operating system such as Linux or Solaris
- Windows XP Home will continue to be available on select Netbooks and ultra low cost PCs (ULCPCs)
How Can Rave Help?
Rave Computer is a premier supplier and integrator of servers and mobile computers to the U.S. Military, original equipment manufacturers, and independent software vendors. Rave is also a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and can provide you with the highest level of service available.
Rave's certified sales team will consult with you regarding your options and will help you select the best alternatives to Windows XP Pro. Rave will also install, configure, and support the operating system of your choice.
Contact Rave at 1-800-966-7283 or via e-mail at sales@rave.com to work with a specialist today.
Frequently Asked Questions
There has been a lot of confusion regarding downgrading. Below are frequently asked questions regarding downgrading Vista to XP:
Q. What are downgrade rights and how would my customer benefit from downgrade rights?
A. Downgrade rights refer to the ability of your customers to acquire the most recent version of Microsoft software but continue to run a previous version until they are ready to upgrade. Downgrade rights are an end-user right and are documented in the product End-user license agreement.
Q. Who can install the Downgrade Software or reinstall the original software?
A. A System Builder (when authorized by end user), or the end user. Because downgrade rights are an end user right granted in the end user license terms, the end-user must first be able to accept the license terms associated with the software, so this software must be installed first before the Downgrade Software is installed.
Q. Can end users use Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Small Business Server 2008 software and the Downgrade Software at the same time?
A. No. End users may only install and use one Microsoft operating system (for example, either the Downgrade Software or the applicable Windows Server 2008 software) at any given time.
Q. Can end users return to Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Small Business Server 2008 software after they downgrade?
A. Yes. End users who downgrade may reinstall the original software when they are ready to migrate. For example, an end user who downgrades to Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition may later return to the Windows Server 2008 Standard version software provided that the end user deletes Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition software from the server.
Q. How do end users reinstall the original software after downgrading to a previous allowed downgrade version?
A. End users must use the original System Builder media that was included with the PC or server for reinstallation. The Downgrade Software must be deleted from the hard drive before the original software is reinstalled.
Q. What installation media can be used for the downgrade to Windows XP?
A. End users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided end user has a Volume Licensing agreement), Retail (Full Package Product), or a System Builder edge-to-edge media (provided software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License). End users can use one legal version of the downgrade media for multiple installations. The end customer does not need to have one set of media for each PC they are downgrading, because they have acquired legitimate full operating system licenses for the most recent version, which gave them the right to downgrade.
Q. What support do I get for Windows XP after downgrading?
A. In the event the end user opts to downgrade, neither Microsoft nor the PC Manufacturer is obligated to provide customer product support for Customer Systems on which such previous versions are installed.
For more information on Downgrade rights: http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf
For more info on Windows XP Embedded: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/wexpe/default.mspx