Bev Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 I was using PCWB, who contrary to all the bad press, were brilliant, good prices and very quick delivery. However, they can no longer offer me a desktop with XP. The LEA recommended we use Stone, and I placed an order with them on 28th Jan, but there is no sign of the machines ever arriving and I'm getting sick of waiting now. Do you know anywhere else do XP Desktops? I only need 5 or 6 for teachers to use to run smartboards.
pagelad Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 Can you not just purchase machines with Windows 7 pro and install XP yourself?
powdarrmonkey Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 Can you not just purchase machines with Windows 7 pro and install XP yourself? Only with a volume license.
Bev Posted March 18, 2011 Author Report Posted March 18, 2011 I am more than capable, but I need a license and I prefer to use the XP disk supplied by the manufacturer. I used to buy Toshiba laptops which came with Vista installed but they had an XP disk in the box. I don't know the legal or technical ramifications of using the Toshiba disk to install XP on HP desktops that came with Windows 7?
sted Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 i diddnt think you could sell pcs with xp anymore as the downgrade rights have expired unless a company has old stock of actual xp oem disks
Hightower Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 Only with a volume license. I was under the impression that Windows 7 Pro has downgrade rights to Windows XP Pro - no VLK needed. EDIT: Linky 1
LeMarchand Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 I would also imagine a lot of the problem is that there aren't XP drivers available for newer kit. What's wrong with W7? Smart Notebook runs on it IIRC. You may find someone willing to do you a "your W7 machines for their old XP machines swap"...
pagelad Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 Ive always preferred to install from scratch, when you use those manufacturer disks they always include bloatware I end up wasting time removing. You could just buy a machine and buy a windows 7 licence through a select agreement and then downgrade?
pagelad Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 Just seen Hightowers post, that was my understanding as well
Bev Posted March 18, 2011 Author Report Posted March 18, 2011 Our LEA are still using Windows XP. I don't think I am obliged to use what they say, but it seems to be strongly encouraged. When I first encountered this issue, their advice was to use Stone.
pagelad Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 Just spoke to our account manager at PCWB, he said they have the odd high end machine around still but only old stock. He also agrees with me that if you but Win7 you can contact MS and ask them for a key to downgrade it to XP. Looking like your only plan, ive tried a few other manufacturer and they are all saying the same. Oh and i used stone previously and wasn't impressed!
Bev Posted March 18, 2011 Author Report Posted March 18, 2011 Stone supplied our IT suite (before I worked here), and there after sales service is pretty good. If I have a problem they are normally out the following day. However, I am not impressed with their sales service, they are the recommended supplier but they have been fobbing me off about a delivery since half term. I am also in Newcastle (well, N. Tyneside), I wonder if we have the same PCWB account rep? He was much easier to deal with.
36Degrees Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 We tend to buy Dell 380s or 780s and you can definitely install XP on those. If you go down that route let me know as I have loads of Dell specific XP discs and I don't think they have the bloatware on, just the OS - I'll happily stick a few in the post for you.
pagelad Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 Stone supplied our IT suite (before I worked here), and there after sales service is pretty good. If I have a problem they are normally out the following day. However, I am not impressed with their sales service, they are the recommended supplier but they have been fobbing me off about a delivery since half term. I am also in Newcastle (well, N. Tyneside), I wonder if we have the same PCWB account rep? He was much easier to deal with. If its the one near the SilverLink yeah, usually deal with Darren
Bev Posted March 18, 2011 Author Report Posted March 18, 2011 yes, that's the same guy I deal with. Small world! I've just had an email from Stone to say my machines will arrive on Monday. This is the 4th or 5th time that has been promised, so I will see if they do arrive or not. If not, I am cancelling and looking elsewhere.
bart21 Posted March 18, 2011 Report Posted March 18, 2011 Hi We use IML Technologies. They are exceptional. I dont know where you are based, but our account manager is Mak Khosse, he is a good bloke aswell. nick
Haptic Posted March 21, 2011 Report Posted March 21, 2011 Hello Bev, Have you looked at the Acers......a lot still come with dual load options with both Windows 7 Professional and Windows XP Professional. Chris
Bev Posted March 21, 2011 Author Report Posted March 21, 2011 Well Stone have finally delivered, just 6 weeks after I placed the order. To be honest, I was starting to hope they wouldn't so that I could start afresh with another supplier.
tech_guy Posted March 21, 2011 Report Posted March 21, 2011 Have a chat with Dan at WStore. He's on Edugeek. We recently got a good deal on HP's with downgrade rights to XP.
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