question about winXP installation

[Jeff]

hey

My boss has a winXP CD, which he copied the contents of onto a ftp server.
I'm asked to download the files and burn them on a CD (or maybe a DVD) and
boot my computer on that CD and start installation of winXP

I don't think this will work. I will use Nero Burning Rom to burn the the
files into the CD., it copies all the files, but is NOT making the cd
bootable as bootsector is not in a file....

My boss said also that if I cannot boot from the CD, then I just start my
computer. (it already got winXP, but it need a reinstallation.) Open
Explorer and start installation of winXP from within WinXP

Is this possible? I doubt it is possible, would be great with your opinion
on this.

This is a Acer laptop. it has a hidden partition containing a recovery
image. The best would to use that image to perform the reinstall of winXP..
but I'm stucked there.. he who used the computer before has set a password
on eRecovery and forgotten the password. I've tryed to use Partition Magic
to gain access to the hidden partition and view the password stored in a
file there, but I keep getting Error code 702... yes I've tryed the standard
password 000000

any suggestions?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Find a new boss or job. Your boss is full of it.

 

[Big Al]

hey

My boss has a winXP CD, which he copied the contents of onto a ftp server.
I'm asked to download the files and burn them on a CD (or maybe a DVD) and
boot my computer on that CD and start installation of winXP

I don't think this will work. I will use Nero Burning Rom to burn the the
files into the CD., it copies all the files, but is NOT making the cd
bootable as bootsector is not in a file....

You are right. When he copied the files, he copied just the files and
not the bootable hidden files. You should make a copy of the CD/DVD
but just the files are next to useless.

My boss said also that if I cannot boot from the CD, then I just start my
computer. (it already got winXP, but it need a reinstallation.) Open
Explorer and start installation of winXP from within WinXP
Don't.
Is this possible? I doubt it is possible, would be great with your opinion
on this.

This is a Acer laptop. it has a hidden partition containing a recovery
image. The best would to use that image to perform the reinstall of winXP..
but I'm stucked there.. he who used the computer before has set a password
on eRecovery and forgotten the password. I've tryed to use Partition Magic
to gain access to the hidden partition and view the password stored in a
file there, but I keep getting Error code 702... yes I've tryed the standard
password 000000

any suggestions?

You may be able to get original OEM CD's from Acer and reload from them.
After you do, find the previous owner that put your foot where the
sun don't shine.

The license you have for the laptop is probably for an OEM version of
XP. If the boss has a retail copy then your license is not going to
work on his copy. And you can't use the license for his, if its in use
on another PC.

 

[Jeff]

I don't understand how it cannot be done. I think I can install it. but not
sure if it works out well with license etc. my boss has msdn subscription...
maybe the license for this winxp comes through the msdn subscription.

For me I think I must solve this tomorrow. I've already spent 1 day thinking
about how to solve it, installed parition magic and tryed to get access to
the hidden partition.. I even called the previous owner of the laptop, but
he didn't remember the password

Look at it from perspective: If I use too long time on this I'm afraid my
boss will think I'm ineffective.. So I can just install winxp on the
computer and get done with it... and later point out the license issue to my
boss

any suggestion?

 

[John John (MVP)]

While booted to Windows you can launch an in-place upgrade from the cd
or from a flat folder by issuing the winnt32 command from the i386 folder.

John

 

[Bill in Co.]

What kind of a boss would make such a request?

Find a new boss or job. Your boss is full of it.

 

[Big Al]

I don't understand how it cannot be done. I think I can install it. but not
sure if it works out well with license etc. my boss has msdn subscription...
maybe the license for this winxp comes through the msdn subscription.

For me I think I must solve this tomorrow. I've already spent 1 day thinking
about how to solve it, installed parition magic and tryed to get access to
the hidden partition.. I even called the previous owner of the laptop, but
he didn't remember the password

Look at it from perspective: If I use too long time on this I'm afraid my
boss will think I'm ineffective.. So I can just install winxp on the
computer and get done with it... and later point out the license issue to my
boss

any suggestion?

MSDN allows something like 10 installs of a program. I never got too
involved with that MSDN thing at work, I just did what the IT person
said. I downloaded all the files but let them worry about it. (it was
tied to my name for some reason, being senior tech I guess). You never
mentioned MSDN in your original message, you just said the boss put the
CD there. Thus I made assumptions.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

MSDN allows something like 10 installs of a program...

And for testing purposes only.

 

[Big Al]

And for testing purposes only.

And isn't it for just a short period of time too?

 

[Andy]

hey

My boss has a winXP CD, which he copied the contents of onto a ftp server.
I'm asked to download the files and burn them on a CD (or maybe a DVD) and
boot my computer on that CD and start installation of winXP

I don't think this will work. I will use Nero Burning Rom to burn the the
files into the CD., it copies all the files, but is NOT making the cd
bootable as bootsector is not in a file....

My boss said also that if I cannot boot from the CD, then I just start my
computer. (it already got winXP, but it need a reinstallation.) Open
Explorer and start installation of winXP from within WinXP

Is this possible? I doubt it is possible, would be great with your opinion
on this.

This is a Acer laptop. it has a hidden partition containing a recovery
image. The best would to use that image to perform the reinstall of winXP..
but I'm stucked there.. he who used the computer before has set a password
on eRecovery and forgotten the password. I've tryed to use Partition Magic
to gain access to the hidden partition and view the password stored in a
file there, but I keep getting Error code 702... yes I've tryed the standard
password 000000

any suggestions?

Google xp cd boot sector.

 

[Bob I]

And isn't it for just a short period of time too?

120 days IIRC