Stupid questions about doing a fresh reinstall of XP Home SP2

[John Corliss]

My first attempt to install XP Home with SP2 on this computer has
failed. Certain problems that I've experienced in the context menu are
too much for me, so I'm going to do a fresh install and give it another
go. My hard drive is partitioned into two equal sized NTFS partitions,
and I intend use Windows XP setup to format the first partition and
reinstall XP on it. I have all of my data files backed up on DVD so
backing up files is not the issue. My first stupid question is:

1, Will I be able to tell setup to format the first partition and then
install XP on it as well as to leave the second partition completely alone?

My second question is about product activation. I know that formatting
the first partition will render the use of my current wpa.dbl and
wpa.bak useless and that I will have to go through product activation of
the new copy of Windows XP. My second question then is:

2. Does this second product activation count against me in any way?

I mean, the hardware is going to be the same. Also, from this page:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

the following:

"If I reformat my hard disk, is reactivation required?

If the hard disk is reformatted and the software is reinstalled,
reactivation will be required. The same grace periods for activation
apply in this situation. Reactivation on the same PC can be completed
*as many times as required*. The activation can be completed via
telephone or Internet."

Does that still apply?

TVMIA

 

[John Corliss]

My first attempt to install XP Home with SP2 on this computer has
failed. Certain problems that I've experienced in the context menu are
too much for me, so I'm going to do a fresh install and give it another
go. My hard drive is partitioned into two equal sized NTFS partitions,
and I intend use Windows XP setup to format the first partition and
reinstall XP on it. I have all of my data files backed up on DVD so
backing up files is not the issue. My first stupid question is:

1, Will I be able to tell setup to format the first partition and then
install XP on it as well as to leave the second partition completely alone?

My second question is about product activation. I know that formatting
the first partition will render the use of my current wpa.dbl and
wpa.bak useless and that I will have to go through product activation of
the new copy of Windows XP. My second question then is:

2. Does this second product activation count against me in any way?

I mean, the hardware is going to be the same. Also, from this page:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

the following:

"If I reformat my hard disk, is reactivation required?

If the hard disk is reformatted and the software is reinstalled,
reactivation will be required. The same grace periods for activation
apply in this situation. Reactivation on the same PC can be completed
*as many times as required*. The activation can be completed via
telephone or Internet."

Does that still apply?

TVMIA

Sorry, I guess that would be three questions.

 

[Guest]

1) Yup, you can choose to leave the second partition alone. As long as you
install on the first, the installation should not use your second at all.

2) It doens't count against you in any way except the hassle of activating
it again

 

[John Corliss]

Mort,
Thanks for replying so fast!

And as far as activating on the internet, it's almost instantaneous for
me so it's not a big deal.

1) Yup, you can choose to leave the second partition alone. As long as you
install on the first, the installation should not use your second at all.

2) It doens't count against you in any way except the hassle of activating
it again

Great! This concern is what has bothered me about XP from the start.
That and concerns about it working with my legacy hardware (a Hewlett
Packard Deskjet 855c and a Microtek Scanmaker E6.) So far, that second
concern also was not valid. When I think that I could have been using XP
when I bought this computer instead of ME....

Thanks again- now I can proceed. Wish me luck!

OAO (over and out.)

 

[Jone Doe]

*Off Subject*

OAO (over and out.)

OK, as an old military radio operator, you can't be over and out, despite
the John Wayne movies. You are either over, "I'm done talking and listening
for any answer or further radio traffic" or out "Finished, turning the radio
off and leaving my post". Never both.

 

[Plato]

My first attempt to install XP Home with SP2 on this computer has
failed. Certain problems that I've experienced in the context menu are

http://www.bootdisk.com/xptop20.htm#1

 

[Uncle Joe]

*Off Subject*


OK, as an old military radio operator, you can't be over and out, despite the John Wayne movies. You are
either over, "I'm done talking and listening for any answer or further radio traffic" or out "Finished,
turning the radio off and leaving my post". Never both.

OVER.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Any idea why the link given by Plato is relevant? I thought the guy has
"XP Home with SP2". Has he got any choice but to install it because he
cannot do anything about SP2 - which will be installed with the OS
anyway?

Am i missing something here?

Regards,

 

[Bob I]

The first sublink contains this info:
.. Some hardware and software is not compatible with SP2. Many pc makers
and program developers are still working to resolve emerging problems.
Please check pc manufacturer's web site for your system (model) specific
information to avoid post-install frustration