Reinstall older version from CD?

[epack]

I recently acquired my daughter's old laptop and need to reinstall XP
Pro because the machine is loaded with group policies that are
interfering with normal use (it was given to her when she started grad
school in '03). Problem is that her old XP CD won't let me reinstall
the OS, says the version on the machine is newer than the one on the
CD. Well, yeah, duh All the updates etc made that happen

So, understanding that I've never had to install an OS before, I'm
kinda at a loss of what to do next. The CD does not appear to be
bootable, even tho it is the original CD, but I can't reinstall windows
unless I boot to something else, right? And yes, I did select the CD to
boot from, but there don't seem to be any OS files on it, at least that
I can tell, no windows folder, etc. Now I ass-u-me the process would be
to create a bootable CD, making sure I can format the old laptop from
it, then somehow use the original one to reinstall? What if I create a
bootable flash drive? Would that do it?

Can anyone point me in the right direction? It's a ThinkPad if that
helps.

Thanks!

elaine
charlottesville, va

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

See:

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I recently acquired my daughter's old laptop and need to reinstall XP
| Pro because the machine is loaded with group policies that are
| interfering with normal use (it was given to her when she started grad
| school in '03). Problem is that her old XP CD won't let me reinstall
| the OS, says the version on the machine is newer than the one on the
| CD. Well, yeah, duh All the updates etc made that happen
|
| So, understanding that I've never had to install an OS before, I'm
| kinda at a loss of what to do next. The CD does not appear to be
| bootable, even tho it is the original CD, but I can't reinstall windows
| unless I boot to something else, right? And yes, I did select the CD to
| boot from, but there don't seem to be any OS files on it, at least that
| I can tell, no windows folder, etc. Now I ass-u-me the process would be
| to create a bootable CD, making sure I can format the old laptop from
| it, then somehow use the original one to reinstall? What if I create a
| bootable flash drive? Would that do it?
|
| Can anyone point me in the right direction? It's a ThinkPad if that
| helps.
|
| Thanks!
|
| elaine
| charlottesville, va
|

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I recently acquired my daughter's old laptop and need to reinstall XP
Pro because the machine is loaded with group policies that are
interfering with normal use (it was given to her when she started grad
school in '03). Problem is that her old XP CD won't let me reinstall
the OS, says the version on the machine is newer than the one on the
CD. Well, yeah, duh All the updates etc made that happen

As you've surmised, this means that your installed OS is at a higher
service pack level than is the WinXP Pro CD you're using. You'll either
need to uninstall SP2 (Control Panel, Add/Remove programs) before
attempting the upgrade, or try slipstreaming SP2 into older WinXP
installation.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930

SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm

So, understanding that I've never had to install an OS before, I'm
kinda at a loss of what to do next. The CD does not appear to be
bootable, even tho it is the original CD, but I can't reinstall windows
unless I boot to something else, right?

All legitimate WinXP installation CDs are bootable.

And yes, I did select the CD to
boot from, but there don't seem to be any OS files on it, at least that
I can tell, no windows folder, etc.

This sounds like it might be an OEM Recovery CD, although there
wouldn't be a "Windows" folder on any installation CD; there should be
an "i386" folder, though. If that's the case, you should probably
contact the computer's manufacturer for assistance.

Now I ass-u-me the process would be
to create a bootable CD, making sure I can format the old laptop from
it, then somehow use the original one to reinstall? What if I create a
bootable flash drive? Would that do it?

Can anyone point me in the right direction? It's a ThinkPad if that
helps.

Before going any farther we have to know whether you have a real WinXP
installation CD or an OEM Recovery CD.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Malke]

I recently acquired my daughter's old laptop and need to reinstall XP
Pro because the machine is loaded with group policies that are
interfering with normal use (it was given to her when she started grad
school in '03). Problem is that her old XP CD won't let me reinstall
the OS, says the version on the machine is newer than the one on the
CD. Well, yeah, duh All the updates etc made that happen

So, understanding that I've never had to install an OS before, I'm
kinda at a loss of what to do next.

(snip)

You need to either do a clean install (which is not what you are
apparently doing - you're trying to work from within Windows which is
not how to do it) or slipstream Service Pack 2 into the XP cd you have.

Since you say you've never installed an operating system, I suggest you
just do a clean install. Here are links with instructions:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand

After reading through the information at the links, if you feel
overwhelmed then take the machine to a professional computer repair
shop (not your local BigStoreUSA type of place) and consider it money
well spent instead of torturing yourself. Go to the movies instead of
struggling with Windows. ;-)

Malke

 

[epack]

As you've surmised, this means that your installed OS is at a higher
service pack level than is the WinXP Pro CD you're using. You'll either
need to uninstall SP2 (Control Panel, Add/Remove programs) before
attempting the upgrade, or try slipstreaming SP2 into older WinXP
installation.

Yes, I realized this after nosing around the ng a bit more.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:
How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930
SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm
All legitimate WinXP installation CDs are bootable.

The CD I have is the original "holographical" one that came with the
laptop. It only says it's a "Windows XP Professional" CD, nothing more
than that. Well, in very fine print it does say it's "fulfillment
distribution", and that it's not for retail or oem distribution, etc.
I'm pretty sure it's the full CD.

This sounds like it might be an OEM Recovery CD, although there
wouldn't be a "Windows" folder on any installation CD; there should be
an "i386" folder, though. If that's the case, you should probably
contact the computer's manufacturer for assistance.

I'm not sure why it won't boot--it DOES have the i386 folder on it,
sorry, didn't realize that's where the files were. When I rebooted the
machine, I did the F12 thing, and chose the CD drive, but it didn't
boot to it.

Before going any farther we have to know whether you have a real WinXP
installation CD or an OEM Recovery CD.

OK, failing the labeling, how would I tell that? I've asked my daughter
if she had any other CDs, but that's it. It really does LOOK like the
real thing.

I feel kinda stupid about this, 'cause I AM a computer professional
I've just never had the "good fortune" to have to do a reinstall. My
home machines have been extremely stable, and my work machines were
reloaded by our support staff, so FWIW, I've just never had to do this.
I understand the idea of removing SP2 from the laptop--makes sense, and
is probably easiest in the long run. The CD is date stamped as "version
2002", which is eons ago in byte years

[later] I think there's something wrong with the CD, durn it. As a test
I booted to my own reinstallation CD on the laptop and it worked fine,
as it did on my machine. However I tried the original CD again, and
this time it tried to boot, but it started to "thrash" and "click"
rather than continue to the boot. I can open the CD and view the files
etc, just not boot to it, apparently. I did get the "press any key to
boot from cd" message this time, but nada. I tried booting to the old
CD on my own machine, and it did seem to go OK, but I manually ejected
it before it got too far into the process. interestingly, at that exact
moment, I got a message that file isapnd.sys was corrupted. Dunno if
that was coincidental or caused by me pressing the eject button
prematurely. That could certainly explain why it doesn't seem to play
nice.

This presents another issue, I guess, what do I do if I don't have a
good CD to use for the reinstall? <sigh> If it wasn't for that pesky
authentication, I'd just go ahead and use my own reinstall CD and be
done with it.

elaine

 

[kenhe0518]

Hi,

lookup a program called PCbeginner Utilities works pretty good. It can
boot up and install any computers

Good luck.


"epack дµÀ£º
"

As you've surmised, this means that your installed OS is at a higher
service pack level than is the WinXP Pro CD you're using. You'll either
need to uninstall SP2 (Control Panel, Add/Remove programs) before
attempting the upgrade, or try slipstreaming SP2 into older WinXP
installation.

Yes, I realized this after nosing around the ng a bit more.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:
How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930
SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm
All legitimate WinXP installation CDs are bootable.

The CD I have is the original "holographical" one that came with the
laptop. It only says it's a "Windows XP Professional" CD, nothing more
than that. Well, in very fine print it does say it's "fulfillment
distribution", and that it's not for retail or oem distribution, etc.
I'm pretty sure it's the full CD.

This sounds like it might be an OEM Recovery CD, although there
wouldn't be a "Windows" folder on any installation CD; there should be
an "i386" folder, though. If that's the case, you should probably
contact the computer's manufacturer for assistance.

I'm not sure why it won't boot--it DOES have the i386 folder on it,
sorry, didn't realize that's where the files were. When I rebooted the
machine, I did the F12 thing, and chose the CD drive, but it didn't
boot to it.

Before going any farther we have to know whether you have a real WinXP
installation CD or an OEM Recovery CD.

OK, failing the labeling, how would I tell that? I've asked my daughter
if she had any other CDs, but that's it. It really does LOOK like the
real thing.

I feel kinda stupid about this, 'cause I AM a computer professional
I've just never had the "good fortune" to have to do a reinstall. My
home machines have been extremely stable, and my work machines were
reloaded by our support staff, so FWIW, I've just never had to do this.
I understand the idea of removing SP2 from the laptop--makes sense, and
is probably easiest in the long run. The CD is date stamped as "version
2002", which is eons ago in byte years

[later] I think there's something wrong with the CD, durn it. As a test
I booted to my own reinstallation CD on the laptop and it worked fine,
as it did on my machine. However I tried the original CD again, and
this time it tried to boot, but it started to "thrash" and "click"
rather than continue to the boot. I can open the CD and view the files
etc, just not boot to it, apparently. I did get the "press any key to
boot from cd" message this time, but nada. I tried booting to the old
CD on my own machine, and it did seem to go OK, but I manually ejected
it before it got too far into the process. interestingly, at that exact
moment, I got a message that file isapnd.sys was corrupted. Dunno if
that was coincidental or caused by me pressing the eject button
prematurely. That could certainly explain why it doesn't seem to play
nice.

This presents another issue, I guess, what do I do if I don't have a
good CD to use for the reinstall? <sigh> If it wasn't for that pesky
authentication, I'd just go ahead and use my own reinstall CD and be
done with it.

elaine

 

[epack]

Hi,
lookup a program called PCbeginner Utilities works pretty good. It can
boot up and install any computers

OK, I'm not sure how this works--in this age of authentication, how
would you be able to install a valid copy of windows xp if you don't
use the original install cd? Particularly since it now appears that my
CD may be at least partially corrupted My home machine was
preinstalled, and at the office we have an enterprise agreement so it
doesn't phone home.

"epack дµÀ£º

That's me!

elaine pack

epack wrote:
I recently acquired my daughter's old laptop and need to reinstall XP
Pro because the machine is loaded with group policies that are
interfering with normal use (it was given to her when she started grad
school in '03). Problem is that her old XP CD won't let me reinstall
the OS, says the version on the machine is newer than the one on the
CD. Well, yeah, duh All the updates etc made that happen
As you've surmised, this means that your installed OS is at a higher
service pack level than is the WinXP Pro CD you're using. You'll either
need to uninstall SP2 (Control Panel, Add/Remove programs) before
attempting the upgrade, or try slipstreaming SP2 into older WinXP
installation.

Yes, I realized this after nosing around the ng a bit more.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:
How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930
SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm
So, understanding that I've never had to install an OS before, I'm
kinda at a loss of what to do next. The CD does not appear to be
bootable, even tho it is the original CD, but I can't reinstall windows
unless I boot to something else, right?
All legitimate WinXP installation CDs are bootable.

The CD I have is the original "holographical" one that came with the
laptop. It only says it's a "Windows XP Professional" CD, nothing more
than that. Well, in very fine print it does say it's "fulfillment
distribution", and that it's not for retail or oem distribution, etc.
I'm pretty sure it's the full CD.

And yes, I did select the CD to
boot from, but there don't seem to be any OS files on it, at least that
I can tell, no windows folder, etc.
This sounds like it might be an OEM Recovery CD, although there
wouldn't be a "Windows" folder on any installation CD; there should be
an "i386" folder, though. If that's the case, you should probably
contact the computer's manufacturer for assistance.

I'm not sure why it won't boot--it DOES have the i386 folder on it,
sorry, didn't realize that's where the files were. When I rebooted the
machine, I did the F12 thing, and chose the CD drive, but it didn't
boot to it.

Now I ass-u-me the process would be
to create a bootable CD, making sure I can format the old laptop from
it, then somehow use the original one to reinstall? What if I create a
bootable flash drive? Would that do it?
Can anyone point me in the right direction? It's a ThinkPad if that
helps.
Before going any farther we have to know whether you have a real WinXP
installation CD or an OEM Recovery CD.

OK, failing the labeling, how would I tell that? I've asked my daughter
if she had any other CDs, but that's it. It really does LOOK like the
real thing.

I feel kinda stupid about this, 'cause I AM a computer professional
I've just never had the "good fortune" to have to do a reinstall. My
home machines have been extremely stable, and my work machines were
reloaded by our support staff, so FWIW, I've just never had to do this.
I understand the idea of removing SP2 from the laptop--makes sense, and
is probably easiest in the long run. The CD is date stamped as "version
2002", which is eons ago in byte years

[later] I think there's something wrong with the CD, durn it. As a test
I booted to my own reinstallation CD on the laptop and it worked fine,
as it did on my machine. However I tried the original CD again, and
this time it tried to boot, but it started to "thrash" and "click"
rather than continue to the boot. I can open the CD and view the files
etc, just not boot to it, apparently. I did get the "press any key to
boot from cd" message this time, but nada. I tried booting to the old
CD on my own machine, and it did seem to go OK, but I manually ejected
it before it got too far into the process. interestingly, at that exact
moment, I got a message that file isapnd.sys was corrupted. Dunno if
that was coincidental or caused by me pressing the eject button
prematurely. That could certainly explain why it doesn't seem to play
nice.

This presents another issue, I guess, what do I do if I don't have a
good CD to use for the reinstall? <sigh> If it wasn't for that pesky
authentication, I'd just go ahead and use my own reinstall CD and be
done with it.

elaine