Getting install CD or DVD for Windows XP

[J]

I'm looking at buying a demo model at the store that they
are getting rid of to make way for the new OS.

They say it does not come with the install DVD of Windows XP
media Center. I am the type of guy who will upgrade the
motherboard and hard disks. He said there is a special
command to burn th copy of windows that is uninstalled from
the hard disk to a burnable DVD. Then you put in the
new hard disk and re install from DVD.

Is the guy at the store telling the truth?
Is there a command to burn the uninstalled windows
to DVD?
I really don't trust buying any computer without a hard
copy DVD of the operating system because I know someday
I'll have to reinstall the OS>

 

[Rock]

I'm looking at buying a demo model at the store that they
are getting rid of to make way for the new OS.

They say it does not come with the install DVD of Windows XP
media Center. I am the type of guy who will upgrade the
motherboard and hard disks. He said there is a special
command to burn th copy of windows that is uninstalled from
the hard disk to a burnable DVD. Then you put in the
new hard disk and re install from DVD.

Is the guy at the store telling the truth?
Is there a command to burn the uninstalled windows
to DVD?
I really don't trust buying any computer without a hard
copy DVD of the operating system because I know someday
I'll have to reinstall the OS>

Computer manufacturers (you haven't said what brand/model of computer) have
to provide you with some mechanism to restore the OS. They have three
options.

1. Provide you with a XP installation CD (and a CD with the needed
drivers). This is very uncommon these days. Some manufacturers give you
the option to buy it at the time of computer purchase for a reduced price.
2. Provide a recovery CD.
3. Provide a hidden partition on the hard drive with an image of the drive
as received from the factory.

Sounds like this system has option 3. The computer OEM can set this up
however they want. Some have it set up so you can create a restore CD or
DVD. It might give you the option to do so when the computer is restarted
the first few times; it may only give you the option once. Some don't
provide this option, so the only way to invoke the recovery process is to
start the system and press a certain key as the computer boots. They have
no obligation to provide a CD / DVD. With no installation or recovery CD if
the hard drive dies you have no way to reinstall the OS. So you have to
call the computer manufacturer's tech support and get a replacement drive
from them or buy the recovery CD from them.

Personally I would not own a system that did not come with an installation
CD.

You could purchase a copy of XP, and use it to install XP clean on the
computer. Make sure you get all the drivers from the computer tech support
site.

 

[Ron Martell]

I'm looking at buying a demo model at the store that they
are getting rid of to make way for the new OS.

They say it does not come with the install DVD of Windows XP
media Center. I am the type of guy who will upgrade the
motherboard and hard disks. He said there is a special
command to burn th copy of windows that is uninstalled from
the hard disk to a burnable DVD. Then you put in the
new hard disk and re install from DVD.

Is the guy at the store telling the truth?
Is there a command to burn the uninstalled windows
to DVD?
I really don't trust buying any computer without a hard
copy DVD of the operating system because I know someday
I'll have to reinstall the OS>

Be very careful about this computer if you have any plans to upgrade
the motherboard in future. Most new computers these days come with
BIOS Locked OEM versions of Windows XP, and these will not be usable
on a motherboard that is not from the same OEM that produced the
computer.

Windows XP Media Center edition is only available as an OEM product.

To check if that OEM version is BIOS Locked use Start - All Programs -
Accessories - System Tools and see if there is an "Activate Windows"
item on the menu. BIOS Locked OEM versions are self activating
provided the motherboard is from the original OEM and they will not
have an "Activate Windows" item on the System Tools menu.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."