Reinstalling XP Home - license

[Charlie7805]

After several years, it's time for me to start over. I have (legally
purchased) my original disc with the license number. This disc is several
years old - pre SP1.

The last time I started over I remember having issues with installing
updates. I believe I had to register first (validate) before proceeding. My
concern is I want to strip my pc of all PCI cards, DVD and burner until my OS
is installed with all the updates. Once I'm at that point and start to
insert the cards one at a time, won't XP read the "score" and invalidate my
OS install?

Or should I not worry about it and install the OS with all the cards in from
get go?

Is there an easy way for me to proceed with the new OS install without
having pains in convincing MS that the license is mine and paid for many
years ago?

Thanks - Charlie

 

[R. McCarty]

There is no reason to remove peripherals or turn them off in BIOS when
installing XP. It would be helpful to "Slipstream" your XP CD to SP2 to
reduce the post install updates. However even with SP2 you'll still need
to apply 90+ updates and activation/validation is required before you can
use update.microsoft.com.

Making use of an imaging program such as Acronis True Image would
prevent ( or make it easier ) to restore your setup without a manual
install.
With some routine maintenance, it's seldom necessary to start with a bare
metal machine and install XP, drivers, apps....

 

[Charlie7805]

Thanks for the reply. What does "slipstream" mean? I'd love to have a new
disc with SP2 but without having to purchase a new license.

The reason for a fresh install is years of downloading and installing
programs. somewhere along this time I have corrupted many files. This PC is
my test PC as it was a spare that I could afford to "play" and take chances
with. I've learned a lot and paid many prices. Now, I want to turn it into
a clean working PC now.

 

[R. McCarty]

Slipstream means to embed updated components into the disk. There are
several tools that can automate the process. Not only can you include a
Service Pack but also 3rd-Party drivers and Hotfixes ( KB # ____ ). The
programs also provide a way to omit certain components from the CD,
but that is a more advanced feature.

AutoStreamer and nLite are two programs that can help create a slipstream
disk.

 

[Bob I]

Actually you should remove all ZIP drives, usb attached drives and
printers with memory cards. They may cause some unexpected drive
lettering issues. Also removing any hardware that requires special
drivers to be installed separately before windows sees it, can save you
a lot of grief.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

See http://www.nliteos.com/guide/ for a free slipstreaming program. It
makes a new XP cd that integrates your old cd with SP2 which is like the
cd's in the XP boxes in the stores. Your product key will work just fine
with it.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

The last time I started over I remember having issues with installing

updates.

Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update, from Microsoft
Update, or by using Automatic Updates after you repair a Windows XP
installation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

NB: Also applies to clean installs, upgrade installs, and Recovery installs.

 

[Marko Jotic]

at this stage you should also check for motherboard updates first. If
there is a bios update you should do it before you start. Also most
motherboards come with drivers for the chips that install in windows and
windows update doesn't necessarily have them

 

[Nepatsfan]

After several years, it's time for me to start over. I have (legally
purchased) my original disc with the license number. This disc is several
years old - pre SP1.

The last time I started over I remember having issues with installing
updates. I believe I had to register first (validate) before proceeding. My
concern is I want to strip my pc of all PCI cards, DVD and burner until my OS
is installed with all the updates. Once I'm at that point and start to
insert the cards one at a time, won't XP read the "score" and invalidate my
OS install?

Or should I not worry about it and install the OS with all the cards in from
get go?

Is there an easy way for me to proceed with the new OS install without
having pains in convincing MS that the license is mine and paid for many
years ago?

Thanks - Charlie

You've already been advised to create a slipstreamed instillation CD but I
thought I'd pass along the following web sites which you may find helpful.

Create a Slip Stream version of Windows XP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm

How to use AutoStreamer to Slipstream Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html

Here are some of the files you'll need to obtain in order to follow this
procedure:

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and
Developers
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

Order Windows XP Service Pack 2 on CD
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

AutoStreamer 1.0.33
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1

CDBurner XPPro
http://www.cdburnerxp.se/download.php

Personally, I don't see the need to remove internal components, other than a
card reader, before reinstalling XP. Any external peripherals should be
disconnected. Mouse, keyboard, and monitor are the only items to leave
connected.

As for activating Windows, why rush? You've got 30 days to get the computer set
up the way you want. To obtain updates for Windows, configure Automatic Updates
in Control Panel to "Download updates for me, but let me chose when to install
them". A yellow shield will appear in the notification area when the files are
downloaded. Double click the icon and chose Custom Install. You can now pick and
chose what updates you want to install.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for the reply. What does "slipstream" mean? I'd love to have a new
disc with SP2 but without having to purchase a new license.

The word "slipstreaming" was originally used to refer to the practice
of many software manufacturers of including updates to their product
on the distribution CD without any real announcement of what they were
doing or differentiation of the various kind of CDs. It was always a
disparaging term because it was poor practice. It was used as a way
for the manufacturer not to have to print a different box, manual,
etc. for the updated version, and to sell older stock that didn't
appear to be outdated, but actually was. That saved them money, but it
left the customer unable to tell whether he was buying the new version
or the old.

Somewhere along the line, people started creating their own updated
versions of some software, by merging the update files with the
original CD. Someone got the bright idea to call it by the same name
"slipstreaming," without realizing that the name was originally used
in a disparaging way.

The term stuck. I dislike the use of the word this way, but the
original meaning has been lost, so I long ago gave up trying to fight
it. Since everybody now uses it simply to mean a version with the
upgrade incorporated in it, I reluctantly go along.

So these days a slipstreamed copy of XP simply means an installation
CD that you've made yourself that incorporates an upgrade, such as
SP2.

 

[Charlie7805]

Thank you all for your help.

I have prepared for the reinstall. I have a GA-8SR533P and updated all
drivers & BIOS. My boot drive is partitioned and GHOSTED both to a another
drive so transferring files and updated drivers will be easy. The last time
I did this I remember now that I spoke to an MS rep and had to convince her
the license was mine and valid. I even had to tell her why I decided to
format and reinstall. Hope it goes smoother this time...