Reinstalling WinXP

[Scott]

My 6-year old WinXP Pro desktop has developed some issues. I'm thinking of
reinstalling the OS on a new and larger hard drive and starting fresh. I'm
worried about activation problems when using Microsoft Update after the new
OS install. Am I better off using the WinXP Operating System CD and Drivers
CD that came with the system, using the Recovery Console, or finding a corporate
version of WinXP that supposedly won't have an activation issue?

Thanks!
Scott

 

[Shenan Stanley]

My 6-year old WinXP Pro desktop has developed some issues. I'm
thinking of reinstalling the OS on a new and larger hard drive and
starting fresh. I'm worried about activation problems when using
Microsoft Update after the new OS install.

Am I better off using the WinXP Operating System CD and Drivers
CD that came with the system, using the Recovery Console, or
finding a corporate version of WinXP that supposedly won't have an
activation issue?

If you are asking whether you are better off stealing a copy - the answer is
no.
("... finding a corporate version of WinXP that supposedly won't have an
activation issue?")

Just use the CDs that came with your system for recovery.

My recommendation is to download/install/run and print the results of a
Belarc Advisor scan. It will give you all sorts of information that may
help you later.

Have an SP3 installation CD ready if the initial install is SP1 or above -
have SP2 and an SP3 CD ready if the initial install will nto be SP1 or
above.

Remove the old hard drive *as is* when you put in the new hard disk drive -
in that way - worst case - you can put it back in and have lost nothing.

You should have no trouble with activation - any FUD you have read is likely
going to be just that for you... Fear, uncertainty and doubt that turn out
to have no basis in reality.

 

[JS]

"Am I better off using the WinXP Operating System CD and Drivers
CD that came with the system" - Yes!

You should not have any problem activating since you have been using the PC
for 6 years since you last had to activate Windows.

Remove the old hard drive before you start, that way there is no chance of
accidentally erasing it and any data files you may need.
If possible burn those important data file to a CD/DVD as an extra
precaution.

As Shenan mentioned: Belarc Advisor will list the a whole lot of info,
including the Windows install key code, Application key codes and other
information about your hardware and software installed on your current hard
drive.

Since your PC is 6 years old it may not support 48Bit LBA (drives larger
than 137GB), so check that your BIOS reports the correct drive size when you
connect your new drive.


JS

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My 6-year old WinXP Pro desktop has developed some issues. I'm thinking of
reinstalling the OS on a new and larger hard drive and starting fresh. I'm
worried about activation problems when using Microsoft Update after the new
OS install.

There is no reason to expect any activation problems. What you want to
do is perfectly legal.

Am I better off using the WinXP Operating System CD and Drivers
CD that came with the system,

Yes


using the Recovery Console,

That's not an option. You can't reinstall that way.

or finding a corporate
version of WinXP that supposedly won't have an activation issue?

There is no such thing as a "corporate version." The term "corporate
version" is widely used for pirated copies. Using a pirated copy is
not only illegal, it also is among the riskier things you can do.

 

[Scott]

There is no reason to expect any activation problems. What you want to
do is perfectly legal.


That's not an option. You can't reinstall that way.


There is no such thing as a "corporate version." The term "corporate
version" is widely used for pirated copies. Using a pirated copy is
not only illegal, it also is among the riskier things you can do.

Ken,

My concern is that when using Windows Update, from time to time it installs something
like a Windows verification tool...to determine if I'm using a valid version of Windows
XP. Since I'll be using a different hard drive, will the software think I'm on a different
computer?

If you don't think this will be a problem, then I will definitely use the WinXP Operating
System and Drivers CD's that shipped with the system.

Just curious, how would a "corporate version" of XP (maybe pirated) be risky to use?

Thanks again!
Scott

 

[JS]

No problem, I've moved and or installed Windows from a smaller driver to a
larger drive and then back to the smaller drive and then one last time back
to the larger drive. I had no activation problems.

Now as to the ""corporate version" of XP (maybe pirated)", you are just
asking for trouble sooner or later.

JS

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken,

My concern is that when using Windows Update, from time to time it installs something
like a Windows verification tool...to determine if I'm using a valid version of Windows
XP. Since I'll be using a different hard drive, will the software think I'm on a different
computer?

You should have no problems. It should activate normally over the
internet. Worst case, you might have to activate by a quick voice call
to an 800 number, but that's not likely in your case.

If you don't think this will be a problem, then I will definitely use the WinXP Operating
System and Drivers CD's that shipped with the system.

I don't see any reason to expect a problem.

Just curious, how would a "corporate version" of XP (maybe pirated) be risky to use?

Any non-genuine software can contain whatever the person who created
it wants it to contain, including malware.

 

[Scott]

You should have no problems. It should activate normally over the
internet. Worst case, you might have to activate by a quick voice call
to an 800 number, but that's not likely in your case.


I don't see any reason to expect a problem.



Any non-genuine software can contain whatever the person who created
it wants it to contain, including malware.

Ken,

Good point. I'll play is safe and avoid pirated software.

Scott

 

[Scott]

JS:

Okay, I'll stick with the WinXP CD that came with the system.

Scott

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken,

Good point. I'll play is safe and avoid pirated software.

Good.

 

[robertturzo]

On June 30 2008 purchased a new HDD and Windows XP Professional. Install on
1 year old PC witch one comes with preinstaled OS I archived. Activated a XP.
After trial to install Windows updates (read SP3) duo core processor with 2GB
RAM crash. There was no chance of recovery. As soon get a start up Windows
logo system froze, show blue windows background.... memory dump... and all
over again and again....
Discovered problems on motherboard... decided to buy new motherboard and CPU
(ASUS P5N-D and Quad CPU). Put together a system did a system recovery with
XP CD, this time asked for activation within 3 days. I denied. Next reboot
system again freeze. Lockout. Reinstaled XP from scratch. Now I have 21 days
for activation but can not activate because the XP are in MS database already
activated. Offering to purchase a new activatio code for 199. For what
because my system still not working properly and what is a guaranty will not
crush again after try to download an SP3. This is a third system in house I
have trouble instaling SP3.
Any sugestion?
How to legally activate a XP without purchasing another copy?
Regards
Robert

 

[Gonlal]

:

Since your PC is 6 years old it may not support 48Bit LBA (drives larger
than 137GB), so check that your BIOS reports the correct drive size when you
connect your new drive.


JS