Please help installing xp...

[The Mental Scientist]

Hello,

I've made myself a whole lotta problems, can anyone help?

I was getting problems with viruses on a recently upgraded sp3 (home) so I
decided to bite the bullet and re-install windows as I've had the computer
for a while and it was gettting tiresomely slow. The problem is that it's an
OEM version and I had no discs so I borrowed a friends (professional) XP
discs. I started to re-install but it won't accept the key number on the
sticker on the side of my machine. I am now without any windows, using my
girlfriends laptop.

Does anyone know if I can download the correct setup software to my
girlfriends computer and copy it to a disc, or am I to buy a new version of
windows?

Any help will be much, much appreciated,

Si...

 

[R. McCarty]

First call the vendor who made the PC. Sometimes for a minimal
cost they will send you the recovery disk set.

Have you already formatted the disk ? It's possible there is a set
of hidden partitions that actually provide for Factory state recovery.

There is also a way to modify an XP install disk so that it's "Type"
is modified from retail to OEM. That however is a complicated task
& involves re-mastering a new install disk. It also isn't guaranteed
to work on all systems.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Unless there's a hidden Recovery partition which you could use to return the
machine to OOBE state (or you can find the CDs that came with the machine),
you're SOL.

PS: A Repair Install will NOT fix your hijackware problems!

 

[The Mental Scientist]

Hi,

Thanks for responding. I haven't formatted the disc and cannot go back to
the distributor as they were a small outfit which has now gone bust! Can you
let me know how (if at all), I could get back from the factory restore? Could
I change the disc to an OEM version even though it is professional and I'm
using home?

Once again, thanks for your reply,

Si...

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

You cannot use an OEM CD from another machine, period.

 

[John]

There is also a way to modify an XP install disk so that it's "Type"
is modified from retail to OEM. That however is a complicated task
& involves re-mastering a new install disk. It also isn't guaranteed
to work on all systems.

Here comes the big question: is it legal?

 

[R. McCarty]

First off, an XP Professional disk ( any flavor ) cannot be used to install
XP Home edition. OEM providers are contractually obligated to provide
a way to put the machine back to it's delivered state. However it wouldn't
be uncommon to discover a purchased PC from a small outfit didn't live
up to it's commitments.

This isn't what you want to hear, but your existing XP can be fixed if it
is still bootable. This is your most straightforward solution. Viruses can
be removed by booting to Safe Mode with Networking and running one
or two online scans. Performance can be recovered by disk maintenance
(Chkdsk & Defrag) and trimming back unnecessary services, startups &
watchdog apps. Whatever AntiVirus you were running failed you. I'd get
NOD32 ($39) or Avast/AVG or Avira which all free. Install both
Malwarebytes and Spybot - update and run each. Then add Windows
Defender to the system. If need be, backup your data and create a new
user profile to purge underlying settings and data.

Generally a Clean and Tune-up takes only 2-3 hours verses a much longer
time to bring a system up from "Bare Metal".

 

[R. McCarty]

Not an attorney, so what I say is speculation. His PC came with an OEM
license. Modifying the disk only allows him to re-use his license to a new
install of the same product he paid for. When you buy Windows, the disk
is free. It's the "License for Use" you actually pay for. ( Product Key is
the unique identifier, not the disk itself ).

 

[The Mental Scientist]

Hi Mr Bear,

I'm not really sure if you're actually trying to help me or mock me! I'd
appreciate any positive helpful messages please like for instance where I
could find this hidden partition ( I have no discs).

Could you also clarify what SOL means too.

Thanks in advance for anything helpful if at all possible...

 

[Jim]

Hi Mr Bear,

I'm not really sure if you're actually trying to help me or mock me! I'd
appreciate any positive helpful messages please like for instance where I
could find this hidden partition ( I have no discs).

Could you also clarify what SOL means too.

Thanks in advance for anything helpful if at all possible...

The hidden partition, if any, exists on the hard drive.
Jim

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Your Recovery options are discussed here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovery_partition and here
http://www.z-a-recovery.com/art-partition-recovery.htm

As for SOL, see http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=S.O.L.

 

[The Seabat]

On Fri, 15 May 2009 18:53:08 -0400, "PA Bear [MS MVP]"


Or. . . .the original meaning of : Sh*T Outa Luck!

<<SNIP>>

 

[Mark Adams]

Hi,

Thanks for responding. I haven't formatted the disc and cannot go back to
the distributor as they were a small outfit which has now gone bust! Can you
let me know how (if at all), I could get back from the factory restore? Could
I change the disc to an OEM version even though it is professional and I'm
using home?

Once again, thanks for your reply,

Si...

If you know someone who has a generic OEM XP Home installation disk that you
can borrow, you should be able to do a clean install using the product key
for your computer. Once up and running, use ISO Recorder to make a copy of
the disk for yourself.