windows xp home edition

[katie]

i had windows xp home edition that came preloaded with my
computer, but my friend tried to load xp professional on
it and the product activation key (which is for his
computer) wouldn't work. so i have no way of reinstalling
the home edition because mine didn't come with the disks.
Which none of my programs I had that came with my
computer are on here. Does anyone have any idea what I
could do? thank you

 

[Zap Eagle]

Usually computers bought without a CD with operating system, have the
installation on your hardrive, either as another drive letter or under some
directory on the C: drive. Consult your manufacturers website and books
that come with your computer.

 

[katie]

-----Original Message-----
Usually computers bought without a CD with operating system, have the
installation on your hardrive, either as another drive letter or under some
directory on the C: drive. Consult your manufacturers website and books
that come with your computer.




.
My cousin deleted the Windows Partition and installed XP

Professional. So I'm not sure what to do. Anymore help?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The only way to change from WinXP Pro to WinXP Home is to format
the drive and start over. There is no supported downgrade path or
technique.

Simply boot from the WinXP Home installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as
part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the
order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

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

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Of course, you'll want to back up any important data before
starting.

You'll have to contact the PC's manufacturer to see if they'll
provide you with an installation CD. Be warned, however, that they
may not wish to do so; by trying to change the pre-installed operating
system, you probably voided your warranty.


Bruce Chambers

--
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[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Katie, your system must have come with some sort of recovery setup. Your
cousin deleted the XP partition but the recovery partition is often hidden.
System builders are required to give users a means of recovery. If you are
unsure, contact them and NEVER, EVER, EVER let your cousin near your
computer again.

One other thing to remember for the future, XP can only be activated on one
system at a time. In other words, someone can't put the CD they purchased
on your system unless it is NOT activated on any other system.

 

[Sharon F]

Professional. So I'm not sure what to do. Anymore help?

You may not be out of luck yet. Sometimes there is a hidden partition that
contains the setup files for XP. HPs and Compaqs use this approach. I
believe with HPs, pressing F10 during the boot process starts a recovery
program.

Again, check your system manuals. If you can find no information there,
contact the computer manufacturer's tech support. It's possible they may
send out a replacement CD.