OPK Windows XP Pro Help

[Lee]

I'm totally green when it comes to this stuff.

My bud built me a pc and now it's my turn to install the Windows XP Pro
service pack 3 on it. The label on the package says I need to pre-install
some sort of OPK kit.
I'm confused, I see so many different "OPK" kits and dont know which one to
install.
My tech support guys I work with say dont worry about the OPK and to just
slap in the Windows XP program.
What is the OPK program?
How can I install it on a pc w/out the Windows XP program being install?
Can I just forget about the OPK?
What is the purpose of the OPK?

Thanks,

 

[PvdG42]

I'm totally green when it comes to this stuff.

My bud built me a pc and now it's my turn to install the Windows XP Pro
service pack 3 on it. The label on the package says I need to pre-install
some sort of OPK kit.
I'm confused, I see so many different "OPK" kits and dont know which one
to
install.
My tech support guys I work with say dont worry about the OPK and to just
slap in the Windows XP program.
What is the OPK program?
How can I install it on a pc w/out the Windows XP program being install?
Can I just forget about the OPK?
What is the purpose of the OPK?

Thanks,

We really should have this discussion in a Windows XP discussion group, but
before I crosspost this to a better location, we need to clarify a few
things.

Are you installing Windows XP SP3 on this computer, which currently has no
OS installed, or are you installing SP3 to update an existing installation
of Windows XP?

If the former, don't worry about the OPK.

Answers to your other questions will come from the Windows XP guys.

 

[Lee]

My friend built my pc and put a pirated copy of XP Pro on it. So, I bought
the XP Pro w/Service Pk 3. I've backed up all my files and I'm getting ready
to completly un-install the current illigle XP program and start with a bare
naked pc.

 

[Lee]

no OS as of yet.
--
Lee

We really should have this discussion in a Windows XP discussion group, but
before I crosspost this to a better location, we need to clarify a few
things.

Are you installing Windows XP SP3 on this computer, which currently has no
OS installed, or are you installing SP3 to update an existing installation
of Windows XP?

If the former, don't worry about the OPK.

Answers to your other questions will come from the Windows XP guys.

 

[thehman]

Lee, if you have your files backedup and you don't need anything other files
off that machine, wipe the hd using wipe disk pro or disk wipe 0 then put in
the XP disk and install. you could skip the first step of wiping the frive
but its always a good idea to do incase of possible virus on current xop
install. now i would make two partitions on the drive one for the os and
anouther to use for backup. this will come in handy if you would like to run
norton ghost or another backup service. You bought a OEM copy? hope you
didn't pay more than 150. best buy taxes big time on xp for no reason.

 

[Lee]

Just to make sure I understand. I do have my files backed and I'm ready to
wipe everything off my HD so I start from scratch.
Question.
1. Do I wipe my HD with wipe disk pro before I un-install the current
pirated XP program or after I un-install it?
2. How do I make two partitions on the drive?

Yup, I did buy the OEM copy on newegg for about $136 (I did my shopping
homework

Thanks for your help, I'm totally green with this stuff and need the extra
help.

 

[PvdG42]

My friend built my pc and put a pirated copy of XP Pro on it. So, I bought
the XP Pro w/Service Pk 3. I've backed up all my files and I'm getting
ready
to completly un-install the current illigle XP program and start with a
bare
naked pc.

First, you cannot uninstall an OS.
Given that you've backed up your files, you should be able to put the
purchased XP media in your optical drive, then boot your computer. Before
you do that, you need to make sure that your optical drive is first in the
boot sequence by altering your BIOS settings. Did your friend who built the
computer give you the motherboard manual? It will have instructions for
accessing the BIOS and show you how change boot device priority order so
your system will first attempt to boot from your optical drive.

When you boot from the XP SP3 CD, you will have options to install XP on a
hard drive partition of your choice, and to format the partition before
installing. The format will effectively remove the old pirated XP.

 

[Lee]

First, thanks for your help I really apriciate it;
I'm not quit sure if I have the manual or not, when I get home I'll look in
the box my motherboard came in and see if it's there. If the manual is not
there, is there any way to find out how to set my motherboard up to start the
optical drive is first to boot?