Windows xp and dualcore usage

you can't the system resources on the xp pc required to run xp are a lot less than what is needed to run windows vista.
how much ram and how much disk space !
it says 512 Mb ram but it will run like a snail
15 Gig of free hard disk space and a 20 Gig hard drive
https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/kb/919183
DO you have an upgrade copy of Vista ?

You cannot 'upgrade' Windows Vista to Windows XP - that is technically a 'downgrade' and would need you to save all your user data on Vista then format you Windows drive then do a clean install of Windows XP.

If you try to install XP over the top of Vista you will have lots of problems because of the difference in architecture and boot manager changes.

The only alternative would be to set up a dual-boot installation where you install XP alongside Vista but would be best done on either a separate disk partition or on a second disk. Normally such a dual-boot configuration would start with having XP installed then adding Vista as the second operating system.

Congratulations on this wise decision!
Unfortunately there is (to my knowledge) a way to 'downgrade' from Vista to XP. All you can do is backup what you need and do a clean install. If you have a laptop you MUST find the XP drivers for that laptop through the manufacturer. If you don't have those drivers there is no guarantee that it will function properly if at all.
My highest suggestion is that you would be wise to get a Windows 7 upgrade disc. That will simplify a lot of things for you. If you NEED to run XP (for some specific software needs) then you can always run it from a Virtual Machine. You can find one I believe free to use after registration with VMWare.
You can find that download on THIS page.

Some XP programs incompatable with Vista; you may have to upgrade UFT...had this prob with a lot of my high $ programs....loaded XP on 2nd HDD, and use it for non-Vista compatable programs.

Dude, upgrading to Vista was a bad decision. XP has been the best rated windows OS ever, so far. Vista is known for its issues and bugs. Today my high school teacher said that whenever he tries to access his hotmail account the computer freezes. First thing I asked, is it vista? guess what he said: yes. So I asked him if he was using Internet explorer, he said: yes. I said to download firefox and Safari and give those a shot, and if it doesn't work, buy an XP install disc and install that. Computers need lots of RAM and HD and a good Processor to run vista, so if its a vista bought machine, putting XP on it will make it like a super computer. If your buying a computer buy one thats running vista and head back to XP

microsoft provides upgrade discs from it's site (you should payteh freight).
If u are using Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, there is no way to upgrading.

else, the other versions allows u to upgrade.
remember: the only difference between 32 and 64 bit is the RAM memory usage (32 bit will not use more than 3,2GB RAM), and there are a lot of programs that won't run properly in 64 bit version .

Windows XP is much more stable than Vista. You will also have to purchase more memory if you decide to go with Vista. So many people as for XP over Vista that Dell and HP have started offering it as a default option. As far as upgrading goes, it is pretty much inevitable that at some point you will have to upgrade your Operating System. Windows 7 is the next one coming out.

Hope this helps. If you have further questions feel free to reply.

Happens - I have two boards that will not work with XP but will allow 98SE to install.

Incompatibility issues will always be around - one good reason for not upgrading when all is working fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you upgraded from XP to Vista and didn't exceed the minimum system requirements for Vista, then that is why your laptop is "struggling to work". You should have done a compatibility check before the upgrade to see what upgrades you might have needed to install Vista, such as RAM (usually adding the maximum amount of RAM that your MotherBoard will accept/recognize will get you going with Vista. Otherwise to get your laptop back to speed you can reinstall XP (XP runs on a lot less resources than Vista requires). You mention a graphics card, and I can't imagine one that would require you to upgrade to Vista yet, though I could be wrong.
Good Luck.

Stick with XP. I bought a laptop that had Vista in it, and it runs and performs more faster with Win Xp Pro. It was slower and too confusing with Vista.