Windows XP Installation Disk

[Guest]

I have an HP system with a hidden recovery partition on it. I purchased and
built a new system from scratch, and I want to transfer my copy of XP onto
it. I plan on installing a version of Linux on my old system which currently
has XP on it. I understand that I can use any XP installation disk to
install on the new system, and that I can use my key (which is legit and I
own it). I don't have a disk to use, however. Does anyone know how I can
create an installation disk?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

I understand that I can use any XP installation disk to
install on the new system, and that I can use my key (which is legit and I
own it). I don't have a disk to use, however. Does anyone know how I can
create an installation disk?

You understand wrong.

You don't "own" the key. It is locked to the version of Windows that
is installed on your old HP computer and you won't be able to transfer
that to the new computer - even if you had an installation disc.

Buy a copy of XP and install it on the new system.

 

[AJR]

One possibility - HP usually provides a utility to "copy" the Recovery
partition to removable media (CD/DVD) - and also one to remove the partition
itself, when the partition was created it also modifies the MBR to display
the "Hit an F key to restore" note. Deleting the partition throug Explorer
or normal means does not remove the MBR modification.

If you do so, the CD/DVD most likely will have a folder titled "I386" which
is XP- check for a setup file. In fact there may such a folder on the HD -
its there so if a file is required that is not currently on the HD windows
will look in that folder rather than requesting inserting the XP CD.

 

[AJR]

Mike - clarification - you cannot use any XP CD with your key -
keys are specific to a XP CD - Also lots of confussion about
reactivation of OEM OS - following is a quote from Microsoft Product
Activaion info:

"...In the unlikely scenario that the BIOS information does not match, the
PC would need to be activated within 30 days by contacting the Microsoft
activation center via the Internet or telephone call - just as in a retail
scenario."

 

[Guest]

So lets say that my hard drive is failing on me, and I recognize it and buy a
replacement that I plan on installing in my computer. Would I still have to
buy a new copy of XP in order to keep my computer in service?

 

[Guest]

Sounds like I indeed won't be able to transfer my copy, which is a shame
because I'll go with Linux on the new system in that case. My purpose here
is to gain experience working with Linux, not to save money on a new copy of
XP. It is annoying, however, that this is the case because my old system
with XP on it does indeed have a some corrupt files that will force me to do
a complete reset back to shipping condition. Thanks for your help, though.
I do appreciate it.

 

[Bob I]

Nope, you may reinstall the OEM copy on the original PC as many times as
you need to. The operative phrase is "Original PC".

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

So lets say that my hard drive is failing on me, and I recognize it and buy a
replacement that I plan on installing in my computer. Would I still have to
buy a new copy of XP in order to keep my computer in service?

Replacing the hard drive and cloning it from the original would be
fine.

If you were unable to clone the drive, or to make a CD from the hidden
partition (if there is one) then you'd be up shit creek without an
installation disc from the manufacturer.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Nope, you may reinstall the OEM copy on the original PC as many times as
you need to. The operative phrase is "Original PC".

I think he was talking about the "Original PC". Changing the hard
drive shouldn't have an effect on that.

 

[Guest]

So what constitutes "Original PC"? Does this mean I can't upgrade my
processor and motherboard if I choose to?

 

[Guest]

Right. But since the computer only has a recovery drive, and no installation
disk, how do you migrate the OS onto the new hard drive so that it can
completely replace the old hard drive? Perhaps I can copy it as AJR advised,
but I'm not sure.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

So what constitutes "Original PC"? Does this mean I can't upgrade my
processor and motherboard if I choose to?

Might be able to change the processor. Maybe even the memory. But
NOT the motherboard. Your copy of XP is BIOS locked. New board, new
electronics, new BIOS.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Right. But since the computer only has a recovery drive, and no installation
disk, how do you migrate the OS onto the new hard drive so that it can
completely replace the old hard drive? Perhaps I can copy it as AJR advised,
but I'm not sure.

No hidden partition containing recovery info? No partition with info
that you can burn and use for repairing/reinstalling?

Your only option is to clone the old drive to a new one (and install
it in the SAME computer - not the new one). You might succeed in
copying the old drive to the new one using software that comes with
the new drive, or that is downloadable from the drive manufacturer's
website (I prefer to use cloning software like Acronis True Image).

Google "clone hard drive".

 

[Bob I]

That is a what the Original Equipment Manufacture is to determine. If a
BIOS locked OEM is what we ar talking about, a CPU change wouldn't
normally mess you up, but replacing the BIOS with an after market
upgrade certainly will. As to the HD, IF you can create the recovery CD
from the partition, OR clone the drive including the partition, you
should be OK. Why not ask the PC vendor tech support?

 

[Anna]

Right. But since the computer only has a recovery drive, and no
installation
disk, how do you migrate the OS onto the new hard drive so that it can
completely replace the old hard drive? Perhaps I can copy it as AJR
advised,
but I'm not sure.

Mike:
Perhaps I'm misinterpreting what your objective is, but...

Would you not want to "clone" the contents of your old HDD to the new one so
that, in effect, your new HDD would be a duplicate of the old one? Does that
meet your objective?

If so, the disk copying (cloning) utility is included with the retail, boxed
version of a new HDD. Virtually all the major HDD manufacturers also have
that utility available for download.

Better yet, consider purchasing a commercial disk cloning/disk imaging
program such as the Acronis True Image one that's frequently commented on in
this newsgroup. You could use that program for routine, systematic backups
to another internal or external HDD.
Anna

 

[Gordon]

Might be able to change the processor. Maybe even the memory. But
NOT the motherboard. Your copy of XP is BIOS locked. New board, new
electronics, new BIOS.

NOTHING in the Eula about a new motherboard constituting a new
computer......never has been, and MS has NEVER tested this in a court of
law.
And HOW do you know the OPs copy of XP is BIOS locked - many OEMs are not.
Mine isn't for a start.

 

[Rock]

I have an HP system with a hidden recovery partition on it. I purchased
and
built a new system from scratch, and I want to transfer my copy of XP onto
it. I plan on installing a version of Linux on my old system which
currently
has XP on it. I understand that I can use any XP installation disk to
install on the new system, and that I can use my key (which is legit and I
own it). I don't have a disk to use, however. Does anyone know how I can
create an installation disk?

The copy of XP that came with the HP system is an OEM copy. By it's license
it is not transferrable to a different system. If that computer dies, then
the license dies with it. The license can be transferred to another person
if it's transferred along with the computer. The two are one entity. If
you want more info read the license agreement (EULA).

If you want transferability use a retail license.

 

[Rock]

So what constitutes "Original PC"? Does this mean I can't upgrade my
processor and motherboard if I choose to?

<snip>

The computer manufacturer (OEM) determines what constitutes a new PC. They
are the ones (HP) who issued the license.

 

[Ghostrider]

NOTHING in the Eula about a new motherboard constituting a new
computer......never has been, and MS has NEVER tested this in a court of
law.
And HOW do you know the OPs copy of XP is BIOS locked - many OEMs are not.
Mine isn't for a start.

OP wrote that the HP computer came with an on-disk recovery partition.
That petty much limits what the OP can do.

 

[Joe Grover]

Unfortunately your XP license is non-transferrable from your original
machine. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) licenses are for the machine
they came on and that machine only.

Joe