WinXP - Questions about switching from a T61 with a T61p?

[eecon]

I have a T61 15.4 WSXGA+ T7500 with WinXP Pro set up just the way I like it regarding software and personal settings (per my signature line below).

If I replace it with a T61p 15.4 WSXGA+ T7800 (or P9300) that comes with Vista, what's the proper way to downgrade to WinXP Pro on the T61p? I would then reset the T61 to factory state before I offer it up for sale.

Can I swap out the identical HDs (by make and model), or do I have to go through a fresh install of WinXP plus reinstall all my T61 software on the T61p and then use the System Migtation Assistant?

Thanks.

[ajkula66]

I imagine that you'd be able to swap drives without any BSODs, maybe a driver or two added.

And regardless of the fact that you'll only utilize 3GB of RAM with XP on T61p, you'll love the way it runs...I know I have...zoom zoom zoom.........

Good luck.

[eecon]

I imagine that you'd be able to swap drives without any BSODs, maybe a driver or two added.

And regardless of the fact that you'll only utilize 3GB of RAM with XP on T61p, you'll love the way it runs...I know I have...zoom zoom zoom.........

Good luck.

Thanks! The T61p only has the 32-bit version of Vista Business so no difference regarding the 3 Gb memory limit ..... my T61 only has 2 Gb and the T61p has 4 Gb right now.

[eecon]

BTW, if simply swapping hard drives does not work, would this Plan B work?

Plan B:

Use my T61's Lenovo Product Recovery CD set (FRU P/N 43T8160 WinXP SP2 Dated April 2007) to restore the new T61p's Vista HD back to a WinXP factory state, re-install all my software and finally customize my settings with the System Migration Assistant?

Also, I suppose I should first make a set of Vista Business Product Recovery disks from the T61p before doing the WinXP Restore if I ever want to restore the T61p to it's original Vista factory state.