Which Version OEM or what

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Guest

I keep on receiving a blue screen at boot up and i understand its because my
hardware has changed. I been told i shoud to reinstall windows but i dont
know which version was on there to begin with. Which is the safest version
to go with to reinstall. I have already backed up all the data so I dont
mind wiping the hdd.

Thanks
 
did you computer come with any recovery CD(s)?

What is make and model?

was it bought new? Look at your literature/book!!!
 
Use your XP CD to boot the computer, follow on screen instructions until you
get to the second option to press R for repair.. do NOT use the R option to
enter the 'recovery console.. R for repair installations is a little further
into the installation process..

Or, do a clean install.. either way, you will want to go to this site for
all XP installation information..

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
 
buggedbywinxp said:
I keep on receiving a blue screen at boot up and i understand its because my
hardware has changed. I been told i shoud to reinstall windows but i dont
know which version was on there to begin with. Which is the safest version
to go with to reinstall. I have already backed up all the data so I dont
mind wiping the hdd.

Thanks
Click to expand...


If there's a CoA label with the Product Key affixed to the exterior of
the computer's case, you have an OEM license. Otherwise, it's probably
a retail license. How could you not know what kind of license you
purchased for/with the computer? Was it a gift? If so, ask whomever
gave it to you.

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations are
BIOS-locked to a specific chipset and therefore not transferable to a
new motherboard - check yours before starting), unless the new
motherboard is virtually identical (same chipset, same IDE controllers,
same BIOS version, etc.) to the one on which the WinXP installation was
originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place
upgrade) installation, at the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with
licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this point.
You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the OS. (If
you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as picking up a
Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch style
foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K before it,
is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any
old hardware configuration you throw at it. On installation it
"tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This is one of the
reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much more stable
than the Win9x group.

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a
Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more than
120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most
likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

--

Bruce Chambers

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