XP Boot Disc

[Guest]

My XP crashed the other day and the problem can apparently be fixed by using
the original XP disc. However, I didn't get the disc with my PC as it was
already installed. If I could create a boot disc on another computer using
Windows XP, could I use this disc to fix my XP?

And on top of that, can I use a removable USB Floppy Disc drive to do this
as neither PCs have a floppy disc drive!?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

No, you'll need to order either a Restore or Reinstallation
CD from your PC manufacturer.

How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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:

| My XP crashed the other day and the problem can apparently be fixed by using
| the original XP disc. However, I didn't get the disc with my PC as it was
| already installed. If I could create a boot disc on another computer using
| Windows XP, could I use this disc to fix my XP?
|
| And on top of that, can I use a removable USB Floppy Disc drive to do this
| as neither PCs have a floppy disc drive!?

 

[t.cruise]

Or, depending upon the manufacturer of your system, and the model of your system, the
Windows XP setup files could be on a hidden partition, accessed by pressing one of the F
keys on the top row of the keyboard on boot. Look at the documentation for your system,
or go to the web site of the maker to find out.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Or, depending upon the manufacturer of your system, and the model of
your system, the Windows XP setup files could be on a hidden
partition, accessed by pressing one of the F keys on the top row of
the keyboard on boot. Look at the documentation for your system, or
go to the web site of the maker to find out.

This all depends on what the problem is and what the proposed solution is.
Sam didn't say he was looking to do a clean reinstrallation and start over.
If, for example, he's planning a repair installation, neither a recovery
partition, a Restore CD, not the boot disk he asked about will do. He needs
an Installation CD.

 

[Guest]

You make a very good point. I've managed to locate a Windows XP Home Edition
disc as my vendor was uselss so I'll be trying that later on. I can get to
the XP login screen it's just that no screen names or options appear and it
freezes. Safe Mode and Last Known Good Config. etc basically wont work and
freeze also. I'll have to see if the Installation Disc will work and if not,
it's on to the next step.

Although I wonder, is it possible to uninstall XP and install a different
version (such as Professional, etc?) if I get hold of that disc, without
actually logging in to it and without damaging the PC?

:

t.cruise wrote:
Or, depending upon the manufacturer of your system, and the model of
your system, the Windows XP setup files could be on a hidden
partition, accessed by pressing one of the F keys on the top row of
the keyboard on boot. Look at the documentation for your system, or
go to the web site of the maker to find out.


This all depends on what the problem is and what the proposed solution is.
Sam didn't say he was looking to do a clean reinstrallation and start over.
If, for example, he's planning a repair installation, neither a recovery
partition, a Restore CD, not the boot disk he asked about will do. He needs
an Installation CD.

 

[t.cruise]

I do not know what you mean by "without actually logging into it." If you have a non OEM
Windows XP CD (OEM CDs delivered with systems are tied to the original motherboard of
those systems), during the install, one can opt to format the hard drive, or any partition
(if applicable), and install Windows XP or Windows XP Pro, as long as you have, or know
where you can download the drivers for your hardware. Which, if they did not come on a CD
with your system, are usually available for download at the system maker's web site, or at
the web site of the maker of that hardware. You must have the Product Key for the install
CD, and you will have to Activate within 30 days, or you will lose the ability to boot
into Normal Mode. But, if it is a lap top, sometimes all of the proprietary hardware
makes installing from anything other than an OEM version of Windows XP supplied by the
manufacturer of your lap top can be almost impossible. If you have a hardware failure
problem, then doing a clean install might just be a waste of time.