replacing HD- license question

[L.S.]

We had a system donated to our local Historical Society.
It's an older Acer MB, p4, 512meg, 20g HD, winxp.
Problem is the HD is going out. Won't start 1/2 the time(blue screens) and
when it does it clatters like crazy. The winxp is an upgrade from win98se.
We have original box with cd and codes.
We have a 80g we're going to replace, if we can find instructions. (hint)

question- what do we need to do, if anything, to transfer license for the
old HD to new one? The 20g HD is going away.
Also can someone point us to how to install new HD. Not physically, that no
problem but program, reformat, install winxp ,etc.etc.etc. We're not sure
what's on the 80g HD.
There are 'several' instruction on the net(google) and all a little
different.

thanks,

 

[JS]

Before you do the 'Clean Install' download and install the following
utility: Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
using the existing hard drive if you can still boot to Windows.
Belarc does a good job of providing a wealth of information, including
installed
software and hardware configuration which you will need to verify that
you have or downloaded all the drivers you need.

Also make certain you have an XP 'Drivers' CD (Not Win98),
if not go to the manufacturer's web site and download all the drivers
(Video, Sound, Network, Etc.).

Now here is how to do that clean install of Windows XP on your 80GB
hard drive.

How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP:
Change the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:
From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Windows XP will prompt you during the install process to partition and
format the new drive. If the 80GB drive is a used drive then any existing
versions of Windows will be listed and you have the option to delete the
partition and reformat, then continue on with installing XP.

 

[Lem]

Before you do the 'Clean Install' download and install the following
utility: Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
using the existing hard drive if you can still boot to Windows.
Belarc does a good job of providing a wealth of information, including
installed
software and hardware configuration which you will need to verify that
you have or downloaded all the drivers you need.

Also make certain you have an XP 'Drivers' CD (Not Win98),
if not go to the manufacturer's web site and download all the drivers
(Video, Sound, Network, Etc.).

Now here is how to do that clean install of Windows XP on your 80GB
hard drive.

How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP:
Change the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:
From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Windows XP will prompt you during the install process to partition and
format the new drive. If the 80GB drive is a used drive then any existing
versions of Windows will be listed and you have the option to delete the
partition and reformat, then continue on with installing XP.

One additional caveat. If the "original box with CD and codes" is a
retail *upgrade* CD, when you do the clean install (and you should
repartition and reformat to remove anything currently on the "new"
drive) you will be asked to insert a CD for a "qualifying" product. Any
CD for Win 98, 98se, or Me will work. Win2K will upgrade to XP Pro but
not to XP Home. If you don't have a qualifying CD, borrow one or buy one
on eBay.
--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[L.S.]

Step ahead. I loaded Belarc and copied down all the drivers, etc. just in
case.
I've also opened case and removed everything except video and lan card.
Everything else is onboard.

The 80g is a used one and who knows what's on it. That's why we want to
reformat and start fresh.

The winxp is an upgrade, win98se was on the system. I have a couple of
win98se cd's here so do I have to load win98 first or just insert in other
cd drive?

I take it since I'm installing on same system, we don't have to re-register
the product?

 

[Lem]

Step ahead. I loaded Belarc and copied down all the drivers, etc. just in
case.
I've also opened case and removed everything except video and lan card.
Everything else is onboard.

The 80g is a used one and who knows what's on it. That's why we want to
reformat and start fresh.

The winxp is an upgrade, win98se was on the system. I have a couple of
win98se cd's here so do I have to load win98 first or just insert in other
cd drive?

I take it since I'm installing on same system, we don't have to re-register
the product?

Just have the Win98 CD handy. The WinXP install will ask for it at some
point. You probably will have to re-activate (not register). If it
doesn't do it over the Internet, you can do it by phone.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[L.S.]

Again thanks to Lem and JS. Will attempt over next week or so and report
back. Will start new thread if longer than that.

 

[JS]

You're welcome and not need to start a new thread
as I monitor for at least a month or more, if however
you have a new unrelated question then yes start a new post.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

We had a system donated to our local Historical Society.
It's an older Acer MB, p4, 512meg, 20g HD, winxp.
Problem is the HD is going out. Won't start 1/2 the time(blue screens) and
when it does it clatters like crazy. The winxp is an upgrade from win98se.
We have original box with cd and codes.
We have a 80g we're going to replace, if we can find instructions. (hint)

question- what do we need to do, if anything, to transfer license for the
old HD to new one? The 20g HD is going away.
Also can someone point us to how to install new HD. Not physically, that
no problem but program, reformat, install winxp ,etc.etc.etc. We're not
sure what's on the 80g HD.
There are 'several' instruction on the net(google) and all a little
different.

thanks,

Replace the drive. Remove the old drive, get one that matches the
interface type, set the jumpers the same on the new drive, and use the XP
install CDs for the new install. Do not re-attach the old drive until
after the install is complete, and then only to copy off any data that is
required.

Be sure to also use the driver CD, otherwise key components like the network
and video adapters may not work properly or at all.

The install to the new drive transfers the license.

Once you've recovered what data you need, it's a good idea to physically
destroy the drive so that nothing can be recovered from its platters. Get
a sledgehammer and safety glasses, take it out back, and call it therapy.

In my area, 80 gig drives are about the smallest you can get, and they start
around $40.

HTH
-pk

 

[L.S.]

Thanks. Will report back when I have time to replace.