clean install XP Pro on a Sony Vaio laptop

[Noot]

Thanks everybody (exept idiot Holmes) for the input!

grtz, Noot

I agree - it's nice to have a clean install of Windows every once in a
while. And it would be nice to have SP2 already slip-stream. I would not
use
a pirated copy of Windows. It might have any manner of malware 'slipped'
into it. Anyway, from your post your plan doesn't seem legitimate.

Here's something to note:

The retail upgrade version of Windows XP can be used to do a clean install
from scratch. If you do use one to install from scratch you will need
something for "verification". Let me explain:

When clean installing using an upgrade version, at some point the
installation routine will ask you to pop out the XP Pro SP2 upgrd CD-ROM
and
pop in an older version of Windows's CD-ROM [e.g. a Windows 98 CD-ROM or a
Windows 2000 Professinal CD-ROM] for "verification" i.e. that you are
qualified to use the WinXP Pro SP2 upgrd CD-ROM. So you should obtain one
from a friend if you do not have an old one around. After verifiying the
installation will move on and when necessary it will ask you to pop the
WinXP Pro upgrade CD-ROM back in.

Otherwise, the install is exactly the same as if you used a full version
to
do the clean installation.

Full clean installs can be done with:

OEM Windows XP
-- typically $145.00 USD [must buy with piece of hardware e.g. $10 floppy
drive]
- non transferable licence

Retail Upgrade Windows XP
-- typically $199.00 USD [might need 'verification' media e.g. Windows 98
CD-ROM to demonstrate eligibility]
- transferable licence

Retail FULL Windows XP
-- typically $299.00 USD
- transferable licence

MSDN Windows XP as part of MSDN Subscription [Operating Systems]
-- typically $700.00 USD
- special licence

OEM and Retail Upgrade are the most cost efficient for an individual who
needs only one operating system on one computer. OEM is cool. If you want
to
get a Retail upgrade version instead [if you are at all eligible] go for
it.

If you install pirated, you will always doubt, wonder if there is a
backdoor, have problems with Windows update, and will feel like a thief.
Get
a good copy, you will feel better about it in more ways than one.

 

[John Holmes]

Noot blabbered in alt.comp.os.windows-xp:

Thanks everybody (exept idiot Holmes) for the input!

You ****ing, toppoasting ****.