Windows XP Install Questions

[Guest]

I was having problems with my display and took my Dell 8300 to a repair shop.
Problem corrected. Shop's analysis: Found that the Windows XP operating
system was corrupted. Reinstalled the operating system, updated windows XP
and loaded all necessary drivers.
At the time I took my CPU to the shop, I also took my XP and Service Pack 2
discs.
They were aware I brought the discs, and I assumed they would use them for
reinstallation, BUT, they did not......they used theirs. I placed my copy of
XP Pro in my computer the other day and get this message:
Windows Setup: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on
your computer is newer than the version on your
CD".
I didn't realize they used their disc, they never told me they did, and they
did not
give me the disc they installed on my computer.
Questions:
1) does this mean I cannot use my disc for reinstallation if a problem
occurs in
the future?
2) Does this mean thier product key number has been assigned to my computer?
3) Shouldn't I have access to the disc they used in case I need it for
reinstallation?
Also noted when I placed my XP disc in was this warning:
"If you decide to delete the newer version of windows that is currently
installed
on your computer, the files and settings cannot be recovered"
4) If I can use my disc, how do I do it, and just what files and settings
will not be recovered?
Thank you for your time.

 

[JS]

1) You need to make a slipstream of your Windows XP disk which will
incorporate the files on your SP2 disk.
To do this use AutoStreamer, it easy to use and for the most part self
explanatory
Download Site: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562
Once the slipstream disk has been created you should be ok.

2) Most likely is has been, to view which product key is now in use:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
or: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

3) There is a method to switch/change the product key, which you will most
likely be required to do once Windows tries to validate your current
installation, sooner or later you will end up getting a message saying the
product is not genuine.

4) Depends on what you plan to do, if its a complete re-install then you
will lose what the shop put on your pc.

JS

 

[Guest]

Thanks JS------I will look into your sites. I will post that you helped me
after look into the info you sent me.............thanks again..........steve

 

[Guest]

Thank you so much JS I went to magic jelly bean and found the product key
installed on my computer. And with the info you provided I went into
system tools>activate windows...................this product is indeed
activated.
I have not yet tried a slipstream of my XP Disk, it has SP1 installed. I
have the SP2 disc, I ordered it from Microsoft. Question: Do I need to get a
blank CD to perform these operations...please let me know.
You have helped so much, thanks again.........steve

 

[JS]

Yes you will need a blank CD, the process is basically as follows;
You will be asked to insert your Windows CD, Prompted for the location of
SP2 file on your hard disk or cd-r drive, prompted to input the location
(create a new folder named 'slip' before you start the process) where the
resultant slipstream .iso is to be created. Once the iso file has been
created you will use your CD burning software (Nero/Roxio, Etc.) to use the
iso file to create and burn the final slipstream CD.

Although I have both a SP2 CD and the download version of SP2, I used the
download version (which is a single file) to create a slipstream CD.

JS