Properly Uninstalling Windows XP Home Edition

[Justin]

I have purchased a new hard drive for my computer and I
wanted to know how to properly uninstall Windows XP on the
old hard drive so that the Windows activation key will
work on the new hard drive when I install XP on it.

-Justin

 

[Phil]

Usually a new drive will come with a program to copy the old drive to the
new, so do that if you want, then format the old drive. Use a win98 floppy
boot disk to fdisk and format the old drive. Otherwise, format the old and
install xp on the new.
If activation was done more than 120 days ago it will go thru fine, if less
than 120 days, then you'll be prompted to call ms to get activated.

 

[Justin]

The drive I bought was an OEM. It didn't come with any
software or anything just the hard drive. As for Windows I
installed it on the old hard drive about 3 months ago so
the activation was less than 120 days. If I call Microsoft
are they going to make me wait 120 days? Or am I going to
have to pay money to get another key? I just don't want to
be stuck without an operating system or be paying for
another copy of windows because I upgraded my HD.

-Justin

-----Original Message-----
Usually a new drive will come with a program to copy the old drive to the
new, so do that if you want, then format the old drive. Use a win98 floppy
boot disk to fdisk and format the old drive. Otherwise, format the old and
install xp on the new.
If activation was done more than 120 days ago it will go thru fine, if less
than 120 days, then you'll be prompted to call ms to get

activated.

 

[kurttrail]

I have purchased a new hard drive for my computer and I
wanted to know how to properly uninstall Windows XP on the
old hard drive so that the Windows activation key will
work on the new hard drive when I install XP on it.

-Justin

There is no proper way of uninstalling XP. Just install it again on the
new drive. If has been more than 120 days since you last activated your
copy of XP, then activation should go smoothly over the internet. If
it's been less than 120 days, then you will have to phone MS to
activate.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[Phil]

Ok, no prob. So format the old drive and then install xp on the new drive.
When you call ms they will activate you no problem, just tell them you
installed a new drive and formatted. It won't cost you a cent. You're
allowed to format and install xp and unlimited number of times.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

The drive I bought was an OEM. It didn't come with any
software or anything just the hard drive. As for Windows I
installed it on the old hard drive about 3 months ago so
the activation was less than 120 days. If I call Microsoft
are they going to make me wait 120 days? Or am I going to
have to pay money to get another key?

No, not at all. You can change hardware all you want, and you
never have to wait 120 days. the only difference between what
happens before or after the 120 days is that after 120 days you
can activate over the internet, and before 120 days, you have to
activate by a quick easy voice call to an 800 number. Just
explain what you've done.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have purchased a new hard drive for my computer and I
wanted to know how to properly uninstall Windows XP on the
old hard drive so that the Windows activation key will
work on the new hard drive when I install XP on it.

You don't have to. The 'hardware hash' registered will include
reference to the old drive, but that will be within tolerance for
changes unless you have made a lot of other ones. Two approaches

Do a transfer of everything from the old to the new - this is what I
would do, using BootIT NG, from http://www.BootitNG.com ($35 shareware -
30 day full functional trial)

Once done (and an MBR record added, which that will do as well), carry
on with the new one plugged in as master and the old as slave and there
will be no activation need arise.

Or, if you do want a clean start, install on the new drive. When it
comes to activation, if it is more than 120 days since you last did it,
you will find it will go through on the net just like first time. If
not, you will have to phone a toll-free number that will be given, to
explain and swap one long number for another to check back as you type
it in

 

[XS11E]

The drive I bought was an OEM. It didn't come with any
software or anything just the hard drive.

I believe your activation question has been answered but in regards to
the software for copying your old HD to your new HD, most drive
manufacturers have that software available for free download on their
websites, I know both Maxtor and Western Digital do...