Windows XP reinstall

[jonmsm]

Hi there,

my laptop is a second hand IBM x30 which has its oem copy of windows
XP... which is dying a sorry death thanks to a variety of viruses. I
have attempted to clean the computer but have come to the conclusion
that it would be much more time effective to just copy my files off,
scan them on my other computer and then reinstall windows.

The problem I have is I don't have the IBM install disk. Now the
laptop obvioulsy has its own lisence attached to the case (microsoft
sticker on the underside with product lisence key). I do have a non
OEM copy of Windows XP with Service pack 2 (i.e not a manufacturer or
machine model specific install disk but a microsoft windows xp disk)
but this is lisenced for my desktop. Therefore - the question I have
is, can i use this disk to install windows on my laptop, then use the
code on the sticker on the base of the laptop to lisence the install
correctly.

Secondly, if this is the case... the sticker states 'microsoft windows
xp 1-2cpu edition'. Is this a special version of windows xp or will I
be able to install my normal copy of XP with that lisence.

I would be very grateful for you input.

Thanks - Jon

 

[Alias]

Hi there,

my laptop is a second hand IBM x30 which has its oem copy of windows
XP... which is dying a sorry death thanks to a variety of viruses. I
have attempted to clean the computer but have come to the conclusion
that it would be much more time effective to just copy my files off,
scan them on my other computer and then reinstall windows.

The problem I have is I don't have the IBM install disk. Now the
laptop obvioulsy has its own lisence attached to the case (microsoft
sticker on the underside with product lisence key). I do have a non
OEM copy of Windows XP with Service pack 2 (i.e not a manufacturer or
machine model specific install disk but a microsoft windows xp disk)
but this is lisenced for my desktop. Therefore - the question I have
is, can i use this disk to install windows on my laptop, then use the
code on the sticker on the base of the laptop to lisence the install
correctly.

Secondly, if this is the case... the sticker states 'microsoft windows
xp 1-2cpu edition'. Is this a special version of windows xp or will I
be able to install my normal copy of XP with that lisence.

I would be very grateful for you input.

Thanks - Jon

Your retail version will not work. You should have a hidden partition on
your drive to put the computer back to factory specs. Look at your
laptop's manual to see how to restore.

Alias

 

[jonmsm]

Your retail version will not work. You should have a hidden partition on
your drive to put the computer back to factory specs. Look at your
laptop's manual to see how to restore.

Alias- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

HI, thanks for the reply. It doesn't appear to have the partition
(althought I know what you mean, I have seen it on previous laptops I
have owned) so maybe the previous owner has reinstalled it without the
original CD :-S

Is there a way round this short of getting a new copy of windows
altogether with a new code as it would seem a bit crazy being that the
laptop does own its own liscence.

Thank you again - I look forward to hearing from

Jon

 

[Alias]

HI, thanks for the reply. It doesn't appear to have the partition
(althought I know what you mean, I have seen it on previous laptops I
have owned) so maybe the previous owner has reinstalled it without the
original CD :-S

Is there a way round this short of getting a new copy of windows
altogether with a new code as it would seem a bit crazy being that the
laptop does own its own liscence.

Thank you again - I look forward to hearing from

Jon

You'll need to call IBM and get the restore disk. Nothing else will work
that's Windows anyway. You could use Ubuntu, an excellent Open Source
operating system. Check it out at www.ubuntu.com/ Run the live CD before
installing it to make sure it will work with your hardware.

Alias

 

[Malke]

HI, thanks for the reply. It doesn't appear to have the partition
(althought I know what you mean, I have seen it on previous laptops I
have owned) so maybe the previous owner has reinstalled it without the
original CD :-S

Is there a way round this short of getting a new copy of windows
altogether with a new code as it would seem a bit crazy being that the
laptop does own its own liscence.

The best solution is to call IBM (Lenovo) tech support and get the restore
disks. If this doesn't work, you can use a generic OEM install disk that
matches the version of XP preinstalled (Home/Pro/Media Center). With a
generic OEM you will use the Product Key from the sticker on the bottom of
the laptop. If you don't want to purchase XP, a local computer professional
will have a generic OEM and be able to install Windows for you using your
key. Of course, this will not be free.

So I would call IBM first.

Malke

 

[HeyBub]

The problem I have is I don't have the IBM install disk. Now the
laptop obvioulsy has its own lisence attached to the case (microsoft
sticker on the underside with product lisence key). I do have a non
OEM copy of Windows XP with Service pack 2 (i.e not a manufacturer or
machine model specific install disk but a microsoft windows xp disk)
but this is lisenced for my desktop. Therefore - the question I have
is, can i use this disk to install windows on my laptop, then use the
code on the sticker on the base of the laptop to lisence the install
correctly.

No. The chances of it working are slim indeed.

Secondly, if this is the case... the sticker states 'microsoft windows
xp 1-2cpu edition'. Is this a special version of windows xp or will I
be able to install my normal copy of XP with that lisence.

The version of XP on your machine is probably a "special version" tied to
the BIOS of the computer.

You MAY be able to use a retail version of XP if you can find all the
necessary drivers for your box. The drivers should exist inasmuch as XP was
installed previously.

You say, in another post, that the recovery partition does not exist; are
you sure? Sometimes these partitions are hidden, concealed, disguised, and
buried. What does the on-line documentation for your model indicate? Does
the displayed capacity of the hard drive match the specs?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The statement "1 - 2 cpu edition" is always used to refer to XP Pro. XP
Home only uses 1 cpu. It means nothing more than that.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

The best solution is to call IBM (Lenovo) tech support and get the restore
disks. If this doesn't work, you can use a generic OEM install disk that
matches the version of XP preinstalled (Home/Pro/Media Center). With a
generic OEM you will use the Product Key from the sticker on the bottom of
the laptop. If you don't want to purchase XP, a local computer
professional
will have a generic OEM and be able to install Windows for you using your
key. Of course, this will not be free.

So I would call IBM first.

Seconded.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Your retail version will not work. You should have a hidden partition on
your drive to put the computer back to factory specs. Look at your
laptop's manual to see how to restore.

Alias

Just out of curiosity, why won't the MS retail Win XP disk work? Is it
due to some special nature of laptops? Or what would prevent him from
completely reformatting and then freshly installing the retail version?
(just curious)

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It would if he also used the retail product key but he is talking about
using the pk on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. That is what won't
work with a retail cd.

 

[Alias]

It would if he also used the retail product key but he is talking about
using the pk on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. That is what
won't work with a retail cd.
Bingo!

Alias