Reinstall XP Pro?

[John Torrie]

I'm using XP Pro/2 on my computer. Can I reinstall windows from the original disc that came with the system? Will this correct any problems with the system acting funny? I put the disc in and it said this is an earlier version of XP than what is on my system, is that because it doesn't have SP2 on the disc? I don't want to do a total RESTORE, is there anyway around it? Thanks!

 

[DL]

Depends what exactly 'funny' means
I assume the PC is not telling you jokes

Its because the cd is not winxp sp2

I'm using XP Pro/2 on my computer. Can I reinstall windows from the original disc that came with the system? Will this correct any problems with the system acting funny? I put the disc in and it said this is an earlier version of XP than what is on my system, is that because it doesn't have SP2 on the disc? I don't want to do a total RESTORE, is there anyway around it? Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Hi John,

It may make the system act "funnier" if the problem is malware related.

If the original disk that came with the system is an install CD as opposed
to a Recovery or Restore CD, you could create a slipstreamed version of XP:
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm



Regards,

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I'm using XP Pro/2 on my computer. Can I reinstall windows from the
original disc that came with the system? Will this correct any problems
with the system acting funny? I put the disc in and it said this is an
earlier version of XP than what is on my system, is that because it
doesn't have SP2 on the disc? I don't want to do a total RESTORE, is
there anyway around it? Thanks!

This means that your installed OS is at a higher service pack level
than is the WinXP Pro CD you're using. You'll either need to uninstall
SP2 (Control Panel, Add/Remove programs) before attempting the upgrade,
try slipstreaming SP2 into older WinXP installation, or format the
hard drive and perform a clean installation, followed by reinstalling
SP2 and the subsequent hotfixes.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930

SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm

As for correcting problems with a computer "acting funny," it's
impossible to say, based on your description. A repair installation
will fix any problems that are rooting in the operating system, but
obviously cannot be expected to address behavior caused by failing
hardware or misbehaving applications. Before undertaking the repair
installation, you'd be well-advised to post back with the specific
problems you're experiencing, with as much pertinent detail as
necessary, and see if perhaps someone can offer a less drastic solution.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm using XP Pro/2 on my computer. Can I reinstall windows from the
original disc that came with the system?

Yes.


Will this correct any
problems with the system acting funny?

Yes. However, depending on what you mean by "acting funny," since you will
have never found out what caused the problem, my guess is that you will just
repeat the same behavior that caused it in the first place and quickly find
yourself back in the same situation.

This is *not* the way to go about solving problems. Tell us what your
problems are and someone here can probably help you.

I put the disc in and it said
this is an earlier version of XP than what is on my system, is that
because it doesn't have SP2 on the disc?

That's why you got the message, but the message doesn't matter because
you're doing it wrong. To do a clean installation of Windows, just boot from
the Windows XP CD (change the BIOS boot order if necessary to accomplish
this) and follow the prompts for a clean installation (delete the existing
partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then create a new one).

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp.htm

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

or here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

I don't want to do a total
RESTORE, is there anyway around it? Thanks!

If by a "total RESTORE," you mean a clean installation, that's what the
instriuctions above are for, and that's what "reinstall windows from the
original disc that came with the system" means. That reinstalls Windows (and
causes the loss of everything on your drive). If you have a Windows
installation CD, you can try a Repair installation ( see "How to Perform a
Windows XP Repair Install"
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) but that may or may
not solve your problems, depending on what they are.

Once again, I recommend that you do nothing until you've told us what your
problems are and seen whether someone here can help you.