I386 Folder on the HD

  • Thread starter Thread starter AAH
  • Start date Start date
A

AAH

No experience of WinXp at all.

Is this folder is a complete setup of WinXp
and in future if need arises how to reinstall
windows from this folder.
What activation files are necessary to be backed up for the rainy day to
avoid to going
backt to ms for sorting it out.
Advice would very much appreciated?
 
No. you will always need your original CD to re-install the OS or you
will need the OEM's recovery CD to reset your system to factory level.

To activate, there iis no problems whatsoever to go online and activate
from there. If the Os is frm OEM then you will always need to use the
telephone method.

People have in the past stated that backing up wpa file will avoid
reactivation. this method ralely works because activation these days
has become a very sophisticated way to counter software piracy.

hth
 
ANONYMOUS

Thank you very much for the advice.
It is a bit of surprise that Dell did not supply
any OS cd with the new computer one of
my family member bought it few days ago.




No. you will always need your original CD to re-install the OS or you
will need the OEM's recovery CD to reset your system to factory level.

To activate, there iis no problems whatsoever to go online and activate
from there. If the Os is frm OEM then you will always need to use the
telephone method.

People have in the past stated that backing up wpa file will avoid
reactivation. this method ralely works because activation these days
has become a very sophisticated way to counter software piracy.

hth
 
AAH said:
ANONYMOUS

Thank you very much for the advice.
It is a bit of surprise that Dell did not supply
any OS cd with the new computer one of
my family member bought it few days ago.




No. you will always need your original CD to re-install the OS or you
will need the OEM's recovery CD to reset your system to factory level.

To activate, there iis no problems whatsoever to go online and activate
from there. If the Os is frm OEM then you will always need to use the
telephone method.

People have in the past stated that backing up wpa file will avoid
reactivation. this method ralely works because activation these days
has become a very sophisticated way to counter software piracy.

hth
Click to expand...
Dell now places the required info into a hidden partition. As stated in the
manuals, what happens when you restore from the hidden partition is that the
computer reverts to the as delivered state.
Jim
 
Jim
Thanks for the information.




AAH said:
ANONYMOUS

Thank you very much for the advice.
It is a bit of surprise that Dell did not supply
any OS cd with the new computer one of
my family member bought it few days ago.




No. you will always need your original CD to re-install the OS or you
will need the OEM's recovery CD to reset your system to factory level.

To activate, there iis no problems whatsoever to go online and activate
from there. If the Os is frm OEM then you will always need to use the
telephone method.

People have in the past stated that backing up wpa file will avoid
reactivation. this method ralely works because activation these days
has become a very sophisticated way to counter software piracy.

hth
Click to expand...
Dell now places the required info into a hidden partition. As stated in the
manuals, what happens when you restore from the hidden partition is that the
computer reverts to the as delivered state.
Jim
 
so make sure, if the option is available, to create a CDR or
DVDR copy of that information, generally there is an advice
to do this.

If the HD fails you can lose everything
 
http://ask-leo.com/i_dont_have_an_installation_cd_for_windows_xp_what_if_i_need_one.htm

Here's a snippe
To find out if the CD-ROM image is on you
Click to expand...
machine, search for a folder named I386. There ma
be several, but the one we care about will contain close to 7,00
files, two of which will be winnt.exe and winnt32.exe. The I38
directory is typically one of the top-level directories on th
distribution CD-ROM, but most importantly, it is the directory tha
contains the distributed copy of Windows XP. Winnt.exe an
winnt32.exe are the DOS and protected mode setup programs
respectively. (You'd only need those if you were planning t
re-install Windows XP from scratch - I use them here as an easy wa
to indentify that we have the right directory.)To find out if th
CD-ROM image is on your machine, search for a folder named I386
[/color:79c9a5e95c]There may be several, but the one we care abou
will contain close to 7,000 files, two of which will be winnt.exe an
winnt32.exe. The I386 directory is typically one of the top-leve
directories on the distribution CD-ROM, but most importantly, it i
the directory that contains the distributed copy of Windows XP
Winnt.exe and winnt32.exe are the DOS and protected mode setu
programs, respectively. (You'd only need those if you were plannin
to re-install Windows XP from scratch - I use them here as an eas
way to indentify that we have the righ
directory.)[/quote:79c9a5e95c

Whats to stop you copying it to a CD if it is..

Dav
 
ANONYMOUS

Thank you very much for the advice.
It is a bit of surprise that Dell did not supply
any OS cd with the new computer one of
my family member bought it few days ago.
Click to expand...

Yes, that bites. But you may be able to get it if you call Dell and
ask for it.
 
AAH said:
ANONYMOUS

Thank you very much for the advice.
It is a bit of surprise that Dell did not supply
any OS cd with the new computer one of
my family member bought it few days ago.
Click to expand...

Then the family member - when choosing the options - did not choose the $7
to $10 option to get an actual Windows XP CD instead of the other system
restore option.

Usually I tell people who are thinking of getting a Dell to not only get the
actual installation CD, but get the "Data Safe" option - with the mirrored
hard disk drive as well. I have to hand it to them on that one - that is an
excellent idea for having a true backup right there on the system.

Also - get the longest warranty (3 to 4 years) you can - and go for GOLD.
Complete care is optional - but nice if you have kids(or are a kid) or if
you are going to use this in a questionable environment (college dorm room
for example) -- but always get the complete care with laptops!
 
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