XP clean install

I borrowed an XP disc from a friend of mine and I'm preparing to do a clean install since SP3 messed up my system (I had the sweetest setup too). If I used his disc, can I use my current license to reactivate once the install is complete, or will I have to call MS to have it reactivate? I think I already know the answer, but I wanted to ask just to be sure so that I don't f### myself even more than I did when I downloaded SP3.

 

u shouldn't have to call ms, your current license should be fine

 

You should be able to use the same license no problem. I've used the same XP disc and license about 6 times now.

 

If the disc versions are identical i.e. OEM-> OEM or Retail -> Retail then you should be fine. If you try and use a retail disc and your system came shipped with a OEM version then you'll probably need to call MS.

If your system is a laptop that came preloaded with XP then you should be good as well as long as you don't try and install a different version of XP.

 

Yes, his CD will work fine with your key. What went wrong with SP3?

 

I'm trying to do the clean install on my desktop and it came preloaded with XP Media Center Home Edition. Am I safe?

My computer started doing all kinds of trippy things. Most noteably, I can't open any of my document folders. I can't open 'control panel,' 'my computer,' or even my recycle bin. Whenever I try, my screen goes completely blank (icons, taskbar, etc. disappear), and then everything reappears again. I sometimes get random error messages as well. It's been a disaster.

 

Does he have the XP MCE CD? Unlike Vista DVDs, the CD edition does matter for XP.

 

It's an all-in-one disc. It has XP Pro, Home Edition, and Media Center Edition all on one disc. I don't know where he obtained it from, but it looks legit.

 

er fraid not, its most probably illegal. anyone feel free to prove me wrong

 

It's probably not legit. I know the All in 1 CDs exist mostly in the underground scene. Either way, I'd use it because your key is legit and that is all that matters.

 

yes but the problem is most illegal cds don't require you to activate your version of microsoft either.

 

Then I don't think I want to use it. It has a MS logo on it, so I thought it was legal. If not, then I'm just going to stay away, I think.

Yeah, I would like to be able to reactivate my version. I'm also very afraid of viruses and whatnot. I think I'm going to stay away.

 

How do I verify if it's an OEM disc?

 

The OEM's name would be clearly displayed on the label of the disc.

 

Okay. Thanks for the info.

 

Okay, I got my hands on the real, legal copy of Windows XP Home Edition, but when I try to run the installation, it tells me that the version of Windows that I have on my computer is newer than the version on the disc. I'm sure that they're the same thing, though. Could the reason why I'm getting this message be because I recently downloaded SP3?

 

if you plan on do clean install set you desktop or laptop to boot to cd and boot xp disk delete the partion and make new one and you be good to go you need to have all you drivers for machine handy at least network and chipset so you can get online to download other


also you can take that oem disk and slipstream sp3 into the disk and install with that and you oem key and you only need download mediay player 11 and ie7 after install for updates

 

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it. How do I find and save all of my drivers?

 

You'll have to find the installers on your manufacturers website.

 

There isn't some place on my hard drive that I can find them?

 

I have a question and I want everyones opinion. I have a Dell 1520 inspiron that I use for gaming and casual internet browsing. It came with Vista Home Premium and I hated it after messing with it for a couple months. My laptop is 2.0GHz Dual Core, 2GB ram, 256mb nVidia 8600, blah blah blah and Vista was making it run as fast as molasses in January. i gutted vista out and did a clean install of Vista again to get rid of the bloatware. To my surprise nothing happened. I then did my research and hunted down the drivers for XP for my configuration and have been running XP Professional since. Since SP1 for Vista came out does anyone think it would be worth it to switch from XP Pro to Vista Home Premium??

 

If you have the time to install it and test it out go for it. However, if you are happy with XP and it is doing everything you need it to do, why mess things up? I have used Vista since launch and I am very happy with it so I would upgrade.

 

Do you use Vista to game with cuz thats the biggest downside I noticed with it. I could run Bioshock on maximum settings for everything with no problem on XP but on Vista, fogettaboutit!

 

Yeah I play BF2 and TF2 on it.

 

You can try DriverMax.

 

I really liked Ubuntu but you can't play games with Linux yet :-(. I hate MS but if you want to play games they are the only game in town except for consoles

 

There are many ways, you have to try.

 

You have to learn Linux!