Uninstalling

[Jo987]

I will be getting a new computer, hopefully very soon, and I want to erase
all information on this computer. I'm doing this mainly because this pc is 11
years old and lately I've been having trouble with it, more and more as the
days go on.

Then, I have to install Windows XP Home on the new one. I have the Windows
XP CD to install it, which is also many years old. Should a new CD be bought,
since this one is so old, or is the one I have okay to use?

How do I erase all information on THIS pc? I am a real nerd when it comes to
hardware, so any assistance would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

[JS]

If the PC is that old and assuming the hard drive
is also very old then the best and quickest way
would be to take a 1/4 drill and drill 12 holes
(wear proper safety equipment) through the hard
drive in an X pattern.

If for some reason you want to keep the drive
then use "Eraser": http://www.heidi.ie/node/6

Select at least the DOD 7 pass option if you
have any truly sensitive data.

 

[Mike Torello]

Then, I have to install Windows XP Home on the new one. I have the Windows
XP CD to install it, which is also many years old. Should a new CD be bought,
since this one is so old, or is the one I have okay to use?

It's OK to use IF it's not a branded OEM disc. If it was purchased
separate from the computer, you're OK... and from the age of your
computer, it probably is a retail version.

 

[Jo987]

It was purchased separately from the pc, so I guess this one will do fine.
It's still in great shape. Thanks for your help.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

It was purchased separately from the pc, so I guess this one will do fine.
It's still in great shape. Thanks for your help.

Sorry to correct the message below, but whether it was purchased
separately from the computer is irrelevant. The issue is whether it's
a retail copy or an OEM copy. If it's retail, it's fine to use it on a
replacement computer if you take it off the original one. But if it's
an OEM copy (regardless of whether it came with the computer or was
bought separately), its license is good only for the computer it was
originally installed on, and it may never legally be moved to another.

 

[Addison Steele]

Sorry to correct the message below, but whether it was purchased
separately from the computer is irrelevant. The issue is whether it's
a retail copy or an OEM copy. If it's retail, it's fine to use it on a
replacement computer if you take it off the original one. But if it's
an OEM copy (regardless of whether it came with the computer or was
bought separately), its license is good only for the computer it was
originally installed on, and it may never legally be moved to another.

However... if it has not been activated/reactivated in the past 120
days, it will install AND activate without issue.

And you won't go to jail for doing that.

 

[Jo987]

I contacted Microsoft to ask them a few questions. I was told that as long as
the old computer (this one) will no longer be used, I can just install
Windows XP onto the new computer that I will be getting, without deleting it
from the old one. I hope they gave me the correct answer. Thanks for all your
help.