This is how I got my factory Vista Dell 1720 to run XP Pro.
1) Download this torrent:
http://thepiratebay.org/tor/4205201/...ith.(sata_raid)
You can use your own CD Key afterward with a key changer downloadable anywhere.
2) Download the driver rar from the above post located here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/13078675..._7-15-2008.rar
DO NOT download the SATA drivers unless you have some sort of weird setup. The XP install from TPB has all the SATA drivers built in.
3) Install OS
4) Install driver pack
5) Update drivers using the Dell web site (some of ones in the rar file are outdated).
5a) Make sure to follow Dell's driver install procedure when updating them. The install order can be found here:
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...401E0A55174744
Click on the "Installing Drivers in the Correct Order " topic.
That should be it.