I assume you are attempting a "downgrade" to Xp from Vista, since this laptop does not come with XP.
From the Compaq information page:
- HP does NOT support XP for consumer notebooks, so if you have any difficulties regarding XP, do not expect HP will help you.
- HP may demand you to install back VISTA if you have hardware problem to troubleshoot it.
An option to consider-put your original Vista hdd away and install new one for XP.
- Some of the notebook features may not work in XP due to uncertified licenses pointed in this guide.
- Microsoft
has released three (3) Service Packs for XP, use only SP2 for the first
trial. Why? Since many of XP drivers are released based on XP-SP2.
- Always make Vista Recovery cd/dvd before downgrade to XP. see it here
- You have a folder with drivers & programs that may prove very helpful after XP downgrade.
Copy folder C:\Swsetup to DVD Before formatting your hdd.
- If you have a pre-SP2 XP cd, get the full SP to Integrate with Nlite: SP2 Nlite HERE
The help guide for downgrading is
here. There is a lot of information on this process written there.
However, if what you want is a an XP look and feel so you can compute the way you used to, change the Vista to look like XP in the display properties.
If you are trying to run non-Vista software, try running it in compatibility mode. To do this, right click on the program files and select properties and then locate compatibility..