This bulletin addresses the general issue of upgrading the operating system to Windows XP on Toshiba notebook computers. Toshiba may also publish Windows XP upgrade information specific to particular notebook models.

Has my computer model been tested with Windows XP?

Toshiba tests and verifies only the version of Windows that shipped with your computer model. Your model must meet the basic requirements for Windows XP (see Microsoft's website) -- such as sufficient memory and hard drive space. Toshiba computers use industry-standard components that should not cause any problems for Windows XP. 

If you experience any difficulty upgrading to Windows XP, search for help in the Microsoft Knowledge Base and on the Toshiba Support website, at http://pcsupport.toshiba.com. You may also wish to use a search engine to discover relevant information published on other websites.

Where can I find device drivers for Windows XP for my computer model?

Toshiba posts all tested and available Windows XP device drivers on the Toshiba Support website, at http://pcsupport.toshiba.com. Click the link for Tech Support Center, then selectyour computer family and model, and click GO. On the next screen, click Downloads, and then scan the listing for Windows XP drivers. It may help to select 'Windows XP' from the Filter by Operating System filter list. Be sure to read the complete description for each driver.

If you have already installed Windows XP, but have not found a driver for a particular device or subsystem, try searching the website of the device manufacturer. The Windows Device Manager (Control Panel, System) may provide model numbers, as may the Detailed Spec published for each computer model on the Toshiba Support website. It is also possible that Toshiba has Windows XP drivers available for other computer models which use the same device or subsystem as your model. These drivers may work correctly, though they are not officially supported for your model.

It's always best to back up any important data on your computer's hard disk drive before upgrading a driver, or any other component of your computer system. It may be necessary to uninstall any drivers that don't work correctly, or which cause unintended side-effects.

Another helpful option is to use the Microsoft System Restore tool (documented in the Windows Help system), which can 'roll back' the computer's configuration to what it was immediately before the installation of a new driver.

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