Operating software restoration

  • Thread starter Thread starter Angi
  • Start date Start date
A

Angi

I am not very computer savvy and would like to restore my computer's
operating software from scratch. The original restore cd is for Windowsme
and this was upgraded to Windowsxp by Best Buy for free when I bought the
Windowsxp upgrade during the initial release.
I know there are very many posts to the newsgroups regarding this issue but
I am begging for complete information. I now have programs that have been
deleted and still show up in the add/remove menu even after having received
advice as to how to remove them from the Windows registry but to no avail
also I have software that I removed and would like to reinstall it but I get
the message (path doesn't exist etc).
My interest is to run the original computer restore cd and then to continue
with windowsxp upgrade cd.
My concern is about the windowsxp upgrade procedure including registration
etc. I have the valid registered xp cd so I'd like to attempt this
restoration and upgrade myself rather than to take the computer to Best Buy
this time around. I have restored the initial software previously on some of
my earlier computers without any problems but would not feel comfortable
attempting the xp upgrade installation without some complete advice. I would
expect the previous registration that Best Buy entered must be carefully
documented such as the computer name and my name whether my middle initial
or not may have been used etc. I am wondering what information on the
computer must be looked up and precisely re-entered during my upgrade
attempt.
Having read a few of the various posts regarding windowsxp upgrades and
restorations seems to be bits and pieces of information here and there with
lots of horror stories following their attempts. Thanks
 
Hi, Angi.

Sounds like you're getting lots of information, but not in a coherent
fashion. Also, your computer has been through several upgrades, which may
or may not have properly migrated 100% of your drivers, programs, etc. You
might be best advised to backup your data, then reinstall WinXP Pro from
scratch. No need to back up any of Windows itself, since you will be
reinstalling it. No need to backup your applications, because you will
reinstall those from their original CDs or other media. Then you can
restore your data (music, pictures, financial files, letters, etc.) from
your backup.

Once you've made your data backup, just boot from the WinXP CD-ROM and
follow the prompts, including the very early one that offers to repartition
and format your HD. You should not even be asked to activate WinXP again,
since this is the same hardware as it was activated on before. If you are
installing the upgrade version of WinXP, Setup may want to "see" the WinME
CD during the install, simply to verify that you qualify for the upgrade
pricing.

Activation has nothing to do with your name, with or without a middle
initial. However, if you choose, you may also Register - which does involve
name, address, and other identifying information. Activation is required,
but it refers to hardware; Registration is voluntary and refers to the
person or organization using Windows.

Having said all that, I should point out that there are various OEM
(Original Equipment Manufacturer) versions of WinXP, and your Best Buy
version may include quirks that don't apply to the "retail" version. You
might run into problems that only Best Buy can solve for you.

RC
 
I'm sorry that I was incomplete in my post about the windowxp upgrade. I
neglected to mention it is for Windowsxp (home edition)! Please forgive me
and let me know about the procedure for this. Thanks!
 
Hi, again, Angi.

Angi said:
I'm sorry that I was incomplete in my post about the windowxp upgrade. I
neglected to mention it is for Windowsxp (home edition)! Please forgive me
and let me know about the procedure for this. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter. The answer is the same for WinXP Home Edition or WinXP
Professional Edition.

RC
 
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