How can I replace Vista with XP and a broken cooling fan on my Toshiba Satellite U205 Laptop w/ fingerprint?

Hey!



I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me with my laptop issues.

I have a Toshiba Satellite U205 Laptop with fingerprint reader. It came with Vista and I want to replace it with XP. I was told at Circuit City that because my laptop has fingerprint reader that I wouldn't be able to replace Vista with XP. I hope this is baloney because Vista really sucks.



I'd also appreciate it if anyone could tell me how easy, possible or expensive it would be for me(preferably) or a computer shop to replace my failing cooling fan.



Thanks a bunch for your help!How can I replace Vista with XP and a broken cooling fan on my Toshiba Satellite U205 Laptop w/ fingerprint?
the toshiba web site should offer help on the fan.

as for xp, you can always go back to xp, but the finrgprint reader may not work at that point... i would check w/ toshiba on that too because if it's hardwired into the systme and xp isn't compatible, you're only choice may be to upgrade to 7, which you could do pretty cheap. i bought the full versions of both 32-bit and 64-bit ultimate for $99 legally.How can I replace Vista with XP and a broken cooling fan on my Toshiba Satellite U205 Laptop w/ fingerprint?
First the cooling fan: The fan it's self is not that expensive. A competent repair shop should be able to swap it in about 30 minutes so depending on their labor rate it could be as little as $50 or so.



Vista to XP transition: Change your settings to boot from your CD/DVD drive. Restart with a WIn XP disk in the drive and you should be off to the races. If not, Use device manager to disable or uninstall the fingerprint reader. Then boot from the XP Disk. An XP driver for the print reader may not be available.



Best of luck to you
Step 1. Start up your computer with the Windows XP installation disk in the CDROM drive



Step 2. The setup screen will appear. Type R to repair an existing installation



Step 3. Now type the following: fixboot C:\ (it should be noted that C is the drive which has Vista loaded. If another drive is the one with Vista, use the corresponding letter)



Step 4. Type fixmbr C:\



Step 5. Type EXIT



Step 6. You can now close your Windows XP setup. Once closed, restart your computer with the bootable floppy or CD that was mentioned before. You can create a bootable CD by downloading specific files at the following site:



http://www.bootdisk.com



Step 7. Once your bootdisk is loaded, you will be at the command prompt. Type the following: format C:\ (This will erase your entire hard drive so make sure all important data is backed up)



Step 8. Insert your Windows XP installation CD into your CDROM and restart the computer.



Step 9. Follow the prompts and install Windows XP as usual. Once complete, Vista will no longer be your operating system and you will have successfully reinstalled Windows XP.
You can downgrade from Vista to XP, just buy a new XP disk and install it. I don't know if XP supports the fingerprint reader but pretty much everything else will be fine.



To replace an internal fan in a laptop will cost you less than $10 for the fan but around 1 - 2 hours of labour costs (at around $45 per hour).
I don't know if your laptop is still in warranty or not but I would advice you to call Toshiba's toll-free hotline number (1-800-4577777) for further assistance from the Phone Tech Support Team about downgrading your OS from Vista to XP so that they can verify for you if there are available drivers for your computer's components which is compatible w/ XP. If there are, then purchase a retail version of the XP OS so you can install it on your computer by yourself (FYI, which ever country your call will be routed to, please be patient and kind to the person who will take your call. After all, you are the one calling them for assistance with whatever issue you think you are having with your portable computer. They are trained professionals for this kind of matters so I believe they should be able to assist you with any issue as long as it is in their scope of support. It depends on the company but be cooperative because these phone technicians has a specific handle time to be able to resolve the issue of a caller, so please do not be a jerk. Listen carefully to their instructions and follow it, because if you think you know more, then why call for assistance in the first place). If your computer's 1-yr Standard Limited Warranty has already expired ask them politely and talk to them in a friendly manner, for they are there to listen and provide you basic info as much as they can. Best time to call, would be after midnight. Make sure to speak your name clearly (spell it, if need be) and provide all the info needed and asked for.

As for the fan, have the Toshiba Tech verify the model number of the fan you'll need to purchase from FRY'S or some other computer parts store before bringing your computer to a competent technician to have the broken fan replaced.