Time to reformat, but....

[Sean]

I need to reformat a computer. Just too many bugs,
computer restarts 5-6 times before loading XP, and a few
other glitches, so I am going to start clean (unless
otherwise suggested.
The computer has ME with XP upgrade. Here is a problem.
The ME Disk was ruined (i have 4 kids) it got cracked,
nor can I find the CD key for the ME system.
Can I still reformat the HD and install XP?
If so, what is the simplest procedure for doing so.
I do have a copy of Windows 98 available, but it will be
hell trying to find CD key as it is somewhere in a 4000sf
house....
Help me!

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I need to reformat a computer. Just too many bugs,
computer restarts 5-6 times before loading XP, and a few
other glitches, so I am going to start clean (unless
otherwise suggested.
The computer has ME with XP upgrade. Here is a problem.
The ME Disk was ruined (i have 4 kids) it got cracked,
nor can I find the CD key for the ME system.
Can I still reformat the HD and install XP?
If so, what is the simplest procedure for doing so.
I do have a copy of Windows 98 available, but it will be
hell trying to find CD key as it is somewhere in a 4000sf
house....
Help me!

The CD key for the previous version isn't required, only the media. If
your have your 98 CD, that will work. Boot the PC with the XP CD and
choose the option to do a new install. With this option selected you will
be able to format your existing partition(s). Since you will be erasing
the existing Windows installation, you will need to insert your 98 CD when
the XP install verifies that you qualify for the upgrade. It will find the
98 CD in the drive as long as it is a standard 98 CD and not an OEM
customized disk and that will satisfy the upgrade requirement. You can
then put the XP CD back in the drive and continue with setup.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Smart Display
http://home.comcast.net/~tp.porterfield

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I need to reformat a computer. Just too many bugs,
computer restarts 5-6 times before loading XP, and a few
other glitches, so I am going to start clean (unless
otherwise suggested.
The computer has ME with XP upgrade. Here is a problem.
The ME Disk was ruined (i have 4 kids) it got cracked,
nor can I find the CD key for the ME system.
Can I still reformat the HD and install XP?

I'd start with a 'repair' reinstall - Set the BIOS to boot CD before
Hard disk, then boot the XP CD, start Setup (do not take 'Repair' at
this stage), then after the license agreement take 'Repair
Installation'. This will retain your existing software installations
and most settings. But Updates will have to be run again, especially
SP1;
It is important to activate the basic XP Firewall before you ever
connect to the net to get the patches, so as to be protected against
things like the BLAST worm.

If you decide you have *got* to reformat, you can *try* a Run of the CD
from the existing system. Enter Install, change Upgrade to New Install,
then when it asks you to confirm where, you can hit ESC and get the
chance to select the current partition, delete it, and create a new
RAW one, going on to format it as part of the setup

I think that this will also have detected that it was a legitimate
upgrade, and not even ask for the previous system's CD as evidence, but
am not certain on that, so it would be safer to get *some* qualifying
product CD from somewhere. Even a Win95 CD will suffice.

 

[David]

I need to reformat a computer. Just too many bugs,
computer restarts 5-6 times before loading XP, and a few
other glitches, so I am going to start clean (unless
otherwise suggested.
The computer has ME with XP upgrade. Here is a problem.
The ME Disk was ruined (i have 4 kids) it got cracked,
nor can I find the CD key for the ME system.
Can I still reformat the HD and install XP?
If so, what is the simplest procedure for doing so.
I do have a copy of Windows 98 available, but it will be
hell trying to find CD key as it is somewhere in a 4000sf
house....
Help me!

This is the main reason I don't buy upgrade versions!

Finjd the Win98 CD. It will work to get XP installed. You don't need to
the CD nor do you need to install Win98. Simply put the CD in the drive
when XP asks for it.

--

David

Programmers write "Help Files" for a reason. use them.

"Due to Viewer dicretion...
Graphic violence is advised"

http://www.HeroicStories.com/
http://www.thisistrue.com/