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Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: Simon on Jul 01, 2008, 09:41:47

Title: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Simon on Jul 01, 2008, 09:41:47
Dell is actively promoting a Microsoft licensing loophole to channel partners eager to keep selling PCs installed with Windows XP, after Microsoft's official cut off.

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2008/06/30/dell_xp_channel/
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Rik on Jul 01, 2008, 09:56:49
Good for Dell.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 01, 2008, 14:25:59
:iagree:
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: doc_holiday on Jul 02, 2008, 15:42:53
Maybe Microsoft needs to quickly develop an XP version that the GUI looks just like Vista and somehow sneak it out to buy them some time before Windows 7 comes out!

All I know is that Steve Ballmer had better keep his eye on the ball with Windows 7, or things are going to get even more interesting.
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: vitriol on Jul 03, 2008, 12:59:04
There is a way to make XP look like vista but it involves Windowblinds and the Vista Transformation pack.  I've never used either of them tbh.

I quite like the XP skin now, probably because it's just so familiar.  Back in the day though I hated it and reverted back to Windows Classic theme.

Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Lance on Jul 03, 2008, 13:14:03
I have to say, i find vista looks more modern than XP!
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: vitriol on Jul 03, 2008, 13:17:17
so it should Lance, after all it's much newer :)

Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 03, 2008, 13:49:09
XP definitely looks dated next to Vista.
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Rik on Jul 03, 2008, 15:31:07
OTOH, dated in a way that works. ;)
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 03, 2008, 16:17:47
True. ;)
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: madasahatter on Jul 07, 2008, 11:10:38
Quote from: Sebby on Jul 03, 2008, 13:49:09
XP definitely looks dated next to Vista.

Very true - when I go on an XP machine now, it's like going back in time and just doesn't look right to me any more.
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Simon on Jul 07, 2008, 12:14:38
I believe you can get skins for XP to make it look like Vista.  StyleXP (http://www.tgtsoft.com/) and WindowBlinds (http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/) both offer new themes for XP.
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: vitriol on Jul 07, 2008, 16:17:34
There's also the Vista Inspirat 2 brico pack from the guys at CrystalXP.net

Have downloaded it just not installed atm.

Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 07, 2008, 18:42:49
Thanks, I'll check that out. :)
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: vitriol on Jul 07, 2008, 22:05:39
let me know how you get on with it
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 07, 2008, 22:09:07
I tried it out and it's actually very good, but it just didn't feel "right" to me. :)
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: vitriol on Jul 08, 2008, 09:50:38
how come sebby?
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 08, 2008, 18:57:21
There were just a couple of things that I thought we a bit tacky, but it was a very good effort!
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: vitriol on Jul 08, 2008, 19:57:55
was it easy to uninstall?
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 09, 2008, 00:16:37
Yep, it's got a full installer and uninstaller, i.e. there's no actual messing with themes. :)
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Inactive on Jul 12, 2008, 00:49:08
I still think Vista is bloated and slow compared with XP, I still havn't found any significant improvements over XP.

Stick with it Dell. :thumb:
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 12, 2008, 10:37:49
I think Vista is a step in the right direction, but it's a work in progress. That said, XP was far from perfect when it was released, and only really came into its own following the release of SP2, so perhaps Vista will be the same.
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Inactive on Jul 12, 2008, 10:40:14
They would need to strip out a load of useless cr*p from it to please me Seb..  ;D
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Rik on Jul 12, 2008, 10:41:59
Quote from: Sebby on Jul 12, 2008, 10:37:49
really came into its own following the release of SP2, so perhaps Vista will be the same.

I believe they are calling SP2 "Windows 7". ;)
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 12, 2008, 10:46:42
Ah, so they are. :P
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: vitriol on Jul 29, 2008, 12:53:49
Rather than create a new thread, if you want the Flip3d effect in Windows XP try this

Winflip (http://www.tokyodownstairs.com/binary/WFlip050.zip)

Just extract the zip and run the .exe,

This is what it looks like

Picture (http://bp1.blogger.com/_6F1JRcbijEY/SDhfGz4cS2I/AAAAAAAAAAs/9d6OZpm2qCg/s1600-h/WFlip.jpg)

been using it for a few days now and it's very good, lots of options to increase visual quality for those with more powerfull machines and it's free.

Low resource use aswell.

Pretty neat
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Glenn on Jul 29, 2008, 13:05:17
If anyone with a Dell needs a copy of XP pro let me know, we have 300 copies or so waiting to be thrown away at work, the disc only works on Dell PC/Laptops.
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Inactive on Jul 29, 2008, 13:31:21
Heart breaking Glenn... :(
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Sebby on Jul 29, 2008, 23:49:31
Quote from: Glenn on Jul 29, 2008, 13:05:17
If anyone with a Dell needs a copy of XP pro let me know, we have 300 copies or so waiting to be thrown away at work, the disc only works on Dell PC/Laptops.

That's like pouring champagne down the drain!
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Inactive on Jul 30, 2008, 00:21:59
Agreed Seb, now if they were Vista, well...... ;D :zip:
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Simon on Jul 30, 2008, 00:24:53
I wonder if they could be made to work on anything other than a Dell...  :whistle:
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: psp83 on Jul 30, 2008, 00:26:43
Quote from: Glenn on Jul 29, 2008, 13:05:17
If anyone with a Dell needs a copy of XP pro let me know, we have 300 copies or so waiting to be thrown away at work, the disc only works on Dell PC/Laptops.

I will be getting a Dell PC in the next month or so.. You can throw one my way if you want :)
Title: Re: Dell offers 'Windows Vista Bonus' - a copy of XP!
Post by: Glenn on Jul 30, 2008, 06:31:26
No problem, PM'd you for delivery details.