XP installation disk was damaged.

[Derek Lo]

My mum's friend asked me for help with her Windows XP
machine. I suggested her to have a complete format, then
re-install. She handed me her original installation disk
and a backup CD copy made by someone.

When I tried to boot XP with the installation CD, it
didn't work before I discovered the installation disk was
already damaged. The backup CD copy was found ok but non-
bootable.

After downloading some setup disks (and reading many
documents), I managed to re-install the system with the
back up CD.

I read about how to re-create a bootable CD disk using
Nero. Though the process is not too hard but it wasn't
too trivial. I was thinking: since re-installation is not
a problem, maybe she doesn't really need a a bootable CD
(while making another backup copy of the still readible CD
is easy enough).

So question is: How important it is to keep the bootable
CD, or what advantages it has? Do I really need one to
maintain the system running?

 

[XPUSER]

My mum's friend asked me for help with her Windows XP
machine. I suggested her to have a complete format, then
re-install. She handed me her original installation disk
and a backup CD copy made by someone.

When I tried to boot XP with the installation CD, it
didn't work before I discovered the installation disk was
already damaged. The backup CD copy was found ok but non-
bootable.

After downloading some setup disks (and reading many
documents), I managed to re-install the system with the
back up CD.

I read about how to re-create a bootable CD disk using
Nero. Though the process is not too hard but it wasn't
too trivial. I was thinking: since re-installation is not
a problem, maybe she doesn't really need a a bootable CD
(while making another backup copy of the still readible CD
is easy enough).

So question is: How important it is to keep the bootable
CD, or what advantages it has? Do I really need one to
maintain the system running?

===========================================================
Are we talking about an OEM XP CD or a Retail XP CD?
If OEM, you could try calling the computer manufacturer and
see if they are willing to replace the original CD. I don't know
if they would, but it might be worth a try.
If it is a Retail CD, you could try calling the Microsoft Order
Desk at 1-800-360-7561 and see what they have to say about
replacing the damaged CD. Again, I don't know if they would
oblige or not.

Possible uses for booting from XP CD:

1. Install or Repair Install
2. Recovery Console

Since you have the 6 XP boot floppies, you will be able to
boot into Recovery Console with them if need be. By the way
I hope you were behind a router or Firewall before connecting
to the Internet after that clean install so as to avoid the msblaster
worm or its variants. Be sure to get all XP critical updates installed
again if you have not done so.

At any rate, hold onto that damaged CD. If you ever call Microsoft
for support, they may ask for the part number from that CD.

Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314058&Product=winxp

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654&Product=winxp

=============================================================

 

[Derek]

I installed the latest patches/updates via a broadband
router. I am not sure how good the firewall function my
router has offered but it reports ok after virus-checked.

-----Original Message-----
"Derek Lo" <[email protected]> wrote in

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