Unable to reinstall Windows after Linux

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Guest

So, I allowed an old roommate to convince me to try Linux on my system. And,
well, I'm not ready for it.
So, now I just want to get my computer back and I'm hittin loads of speed
bumps.
First of all, I have a Windows XP upgrade version, not the whole
installation. Which was okay when I originally had Windows on there when I
bought the computer.
They didn't give me a windows installation disk when i bought it they just
installed it on the computer and gave me a certificate that authenticates my
old windows.

So, how the heck do I get a version of windows on my computer that will
upgrade to Windows XP?

Oh, by the way, the place I bought the computer from is no longer in
business and not even in the same city anymore.

Eek. Nightmare.
 
So, I allowed an old roommate to convince me to try Linux on my
system. And, well, I'm not ready for it.
So, now I just want to get my computer back and I'm hittin loads of
speed bumps.
First of all, I have a Windows XP upgrade version, not the whole
installation. Which was okay when I originally had Windows on there
when I bought the computer.
They didn't give me a windows installation disk when i bought it
they just installed it on the computer and gave me a certificate
that authenticates my old windows.

So, how the heck do I get a version of windows on my computer that
will upgrade to Windows XP?

Oh, by the way, the place I bought the computer from is no longer
in business and not even in the same city anymore.
Click to expand...
No the answer that you are looking for. However, very few people who
switch to Linux EVER go back. Did you install KDE? Since this is OT,
if I can make your Linux experience work, feel free to contact me off
list.
 
Jillian said:
So, I allowed an old roommate to convince me to try Linux on my system. And,
well, I'm not ready for it.
So, now I just want to get my computer back and I'm hittin loads of speed
bumps.
First of all, I have a Windows XP upgrade version, not the whole
installation. Which was okay when I originally had Windows on there when I
bought the computer.
They didn't give me a windows installation disk when i bought it they just
installed it on the computer and gave me a certificate that authenticates my
old windows.

So, how the heck do I get a version of windows on my computer that will
upgrade to Windows XP?

Oh, by the way, the place I bought the computer from is no longer in
business and not even in the same city anymore.

Eek. Nightmare.
Click to expand...

There are a few things, firstly, your roomate is silly. Getting someone to
try linux is a good idea, but you shouldnt just dump them in. If you ever get
interested in doing it again: Do a dual boot system. Have windows installed
first, and then install your linux distribution.

Okay secondly, I will suggest that you search through old CD's and look for
things like Windows 95 windows 98 windows ME windows 2000. Install that, and
upgrade to XP.

Another thing you should look for, windows doesnt recognise linux
FileSystems (lasttime i checked). Linux is happy to see ntfs and fat32
systems, but windows wont see whatever linux uses. So before you install
windows, you are going to have to reformat them from the linux file system,
back to Fat32. Now you can probably do this by putting in whatever disk
installed linux, because they have partician programs, and format programs
there. They probably will allow you to format to Fat32, and from there
windows will see the file system and when you install, you can change it then
to NTFS. Phew.

It is true, going from windows to linux is usually tough. Its like having a
bottle, and then having to use a cup. You spill a bit and make a mess, but
in the end, you can drink alot faster when you know not to tip it too far =p.

Linux is based around everyone developing it, and hence, there is a large,
very active community. There are forums everywhere who usually have 30
members active on the forum (or more) at any one time, in any language you
can immagine. Any questions you want to ask them, their replies usually take
about 5-10 minutes, and will probably get you past that first hurdle of
spilling the drink.

After a while if you used a dual boot system, you will find yourself going
into windows less each boot.

The only thing windows has for me, is DirectX. IF linux could use DirectX
aswell as windows, then Id never go back to windows again =p. But until that
time, its worth my money to play the games i enjoy... And yes ive heard, and
subscribed to cedega, etc, but its not the same. despite the sometimes
improvements in some games, its the small things it messes up that gets to
me...
 
There are a few things, firstly, your roomate is silly. Getting
someone to try linux is a good idea, but you shouldnt just dump
them in. If you ever get interested in doing it again: Do a dual
boot system. Have windows installed first, and then install your
linux distribution.

Okay secondly, I will suggest that you search through old CD's and
look for things like Windows 95 windows 98 windows ME windows
2000. Install that, and upgrade to XP.

Another thing you should look for, windows doesnt recognise linux
FileSystems (lasttime i checked). Linux is happy to see ntfs and
fat32 systems, but windows wont see whatever linux uses. So before
you install windows, you are going to have to reformat them from
the linux file system, back to Fat32. Now you can probably do this
by putting in whatever disk installed linux, because they have
partician programs, and format programs there. They probably will
allow you to format to Fat32, and from there windows will see the
file system and when you install, you can change it then to NTFS.
Phew.

It is true, going from windows to linux is usually tough. Its like
having a bottle, and then having to use a cup. You spill a bit and
make a mess, but in the end, you can drink alot faster when you
know not to tip it too far =p.

Linux is based around everyone developing it, and hence, there is a
large, very active community. There are forums everywhere who
usually have 30 members active on the forum (or more) at any one
time, in any language you can immagine. Any questions you want to
ask them, their replies usually take about 5-10 minutes, and will
probably get you past that first hurdle of spilling the drink.

After a while if you used a dual boot system, you will find
yourself going into windows less each boot.

The only thing windows has for me, is DirectX. IF linux could use
DirectX aswell as windows, then Id never go back to windows again
=p. But until that time, its worth my money to play the games i
enjoy... And yes ive heard, and subscribed to cedega, etc, but its
not the same. despite the sometimes improvements in some games, its
the small things it messes up that gets to me...
Click to expand...

That is very well written. For me, it's tax software that won't run
in WINE. That's it. OpenOffice has really matured. While I have
Office installed in WINE, I never use it anymore. I note that you
followed the Linux convention of NOT top posting -;)
 
(e-mail address removed),
Jillian said:
So, I allowed an old roommate to convince me to try Linux on
my system. And, well, I'm not ready for it.
So, now I just want to get my computer back and I'm hittin
loads of speed bumps.
First of all, I have a Windows XP upgrade version, not the
whole installation. Which was okay when I originally had
Windows on there when I bought the computer.
They didn't give me a windows installation disk when i
bought it they just installed it on the computer and gave me
a certificate that authenticates my old windows.

So, how the heck do I get a version of windows on my
computer that will upgrade to Windows XP?

Oh, by the way, the place I bought the computer from is no
longer in business and not even in the same city anymore.

Eek. Nightmare.
Click to expand...

In order to use your XP upgrade CD you're going to have to
somehow get your hands on a Windows 95, 98 or ME installation
CD. You don't need to install the earlier operating system, you
just need the CD. Early in the XP installation you'll be asked
to provide what's called "qualifying media". That's when you
put in the 95/98 or ME CD. Once that's done you can proceed
with the XP installation.

As for the actual installation, here are a couple of web sites
that you might find helpful:

Courtesy of Michael Stevens MS-MVP
Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Upgrading to Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
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