Reinstalling XP without disks

[peter]

Further to earlier posts I think that I have to reinstall XP, but for
(legitimate reasons stated I don't have the original disks. I know
that XP online registration means that
the same version cannot be registered twice, but if I go in control
panel and then system it gives me the registration code. Can I then
borrow some xp disks from somebody, but then when the time comes
enter
the registration number from my pc? Surely the important thing is the
licence, not the disks.

Peter

 

[@lias]

Further to earlier posts I think that I have to reinstall XP, but for
(legitimate reasons stated I don't have the original disks. I know
that XP online registration means that
the same version cannot be registered twice, but if I go in control
panel and then system it gives me the registration code. Can I then
borrow some xp disks from somebody, but then when the time comes
enter
the registration number from my pc? Surely the important thing is the
licence, not the disks.

Peter

Correct. Just make sure that the media you use is the same as what's on
your computer, Pro for Pro, Home for Home, etc.

Alias

 

[Gordon]

Correct. Just make sure that the media you use is the same as what's on
your computer, Pro for Pro, Home for Home, etc.

And also OEM......

 

[@lias]

And also OEM......

vs. Retail. I thought of that right after I hit the Send button.

Alias

 

[Joe Grover]

The code you see in the System Information is NOT the installation key, and
cannot be used as such. The key you need is a 25-digit product key that
should be on a sticker on the PC (if it came from an OEM).

There are utilities such as Magical Jellybean that you can use to determine
the product key used to install XP. Was your copy of XP installed by the
OEM, or was it a retail copy? Make sure the source media is the same type
of media used to install yours (Home vs Pro, Retail vs OEM, etc).

Joe

 

[Nepatsfan]

In

Further to earlier posts I think that I have to reinstall XP,
but for
(legitimate reasons stated I don't have the original disks. I
know
that XP online registration means that
the same version cannot be registered twice, but if I go in
control
panel and then system it gives me the registration code. Can
I then
borrow some xp disks from somebody, but then when the time
comes
enter
the registration number from my pc? Surely the important
thing is the
licence, not the disks.

Peter

The numbers you're referring to in System Properties are the
product ID. They will be of no use in reinstalling XP.

You need to find the 25 character CD key for that system. If
it's an OEM license, there should be a sticker on the computer
with that key. If it's a retail license, the key is on an
orange sticker that's attached to a folder that accompanied the
installation CD.

If it's a retail or generic OEM license, you can use this
program to find out the key.

Magic Jelly Bean KeyFinder
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Keep in mind that the CD you use has to match the type of
license you have, Home or Pro, OEM or Retail, Upgrade or Full
version. Don't start to reinstall until you're sure you have
the proper CD key and installation media.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[peter]

Correct. Just make sure that the media you use is the same as what's on
your computer, Pro for Pro, Home for Home, etc.

Alias

Sorry, dont' mean to be rude but I want to be 100% sure about this.
It's just that at present I have a pc that works but doesn't update.
If this goes wrong i won't have a pc! When I go into control panel
then system properties I see a registration number - this number is
good enough to enter when I'm prompted after a clean install? I
thought that codes were encrypted or am I being paranoid?

 

[peter]

Sorry, dont' mean to be rude but I want to be 100% sure about this.
It's just that at present I have a pc that works but doesn't update.
If this goes wrong i won't have a pc! When I go into control panel
then system properties I see a registration number - this number is
good enough to enter when I'm prompted after a clean install? I
thought that codes were encrypted or am I being paranoid?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Looks like posts crossed. Thanks for all the help. I'll use keyfinder
to find the main code and use some disks from a friend.
BTW: I'm having to clean install becase the guy who had the pc before
me didn't have a virus checker or firewall and there's still something
on the pc that stops windows updates. How do I clean install? In
windows '98 you used to get the C: prompt and then forma the C drive.
But how do I do this in XP??

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

The Product ID number you see in System Properties is NOT the one you need.
You need the Product Key. And you're right, it's unreadable. Use
MagicJellyBean.
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/

 

[Joe Grover]

BTW: I'm having to clean install becase the guy who had the pc before

me didn't have a virus checker or firewall and there's still something
on the pc that stops windows updates. How do I clean install? In
windows '98 you used to get the C: prompt and then forma the C drive.
But how do I do this in XP??

=======================/

Make sure you have any data backed up that you wish to keep, then insert the
CD-ROM and reboot the computer. Most PCs will be configured to boot from
CD, so when you see the option to press any key to boot from the CD, do so
and start the XP setup. During the installation you can instruct XP Setup
to format the drive before installing.

If you do not get the prompt to boot from the CD you will need to go into
the BIOS and modify your boot options to configure booting from CD-ROM
before booting from the hard drive.

Joe

 

[Rock]

Further to earlier posts I think that I have to reinstall XP, but for
(legitimate reasons stated I don't have the original disks. I know
that XP online registration means that
the same version cannot be registered twice, but if I go in control
panel and then system it gives me the registration code. Can I then
borrow some xp disks from somebody, but then when the time comes
enter
the registration number from my pc? Surely the important thing is the
licence, not the disks.

Peter I replied in detail to your earlier post. Please don't create new
threads on the same topic.