XP Home or Pro - How can you tell?

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G

Guest

How can you find out if a computer has XP Home or Pro if the computer can not
boot up. I need to repair reinstall Windows, but don't know which one to use
for my customer.
 
Look on the sides and back of the computer for a windows product sticker it
will say which version of windows you have as well as give you the proper
key. Otherwise you can do some google searching to make yourself a Bart PE
disk with key finder on it which should tell you the proper version of
windows as well as the key code. Good Luck,

Joe

Kemco ITT
 
Use a bootable CD that has NTFS mounting capability. Once
booted type out the contents of Boot.Ini. You will be able to
see the Identifying string "Microsoft Windows XP ________"
However that only gives you the family type, not whether the
install was Retail, OEM, VLK, Full or Upgrade.
 
Unfortunatly whoever built it for him years ago didn't give him any Windows
stuff with him. There is no sticker or key anywhere. He's getting that from
me, but I need to know which version he has first, as he does not want to
lose his info. I do have a Bart PE disk, so I'll use that. Thanks for the
info.
 
Moses said:
Unfortunatly whoever built it for him years ago didn't give him any Windows
stuff with him. There is no sticker or key anywhere. He's getting that from
me, but I need to know which version he has first, as he does not want to
lose his info. I do have a Bart PE disk, so I'll use that. Thanks for the
info.
Click to expand...

You will also need an ADMINISTRATOR PASSWORD to repair Install the OS.
If your client doesn't know what OS he/she has or serial number, how can
you be sure he knows an admin password? You will be back to the drawing
board if the system is screwed up completely. You have been warned!!

hth
 
You will also need an ADMINISTRATOR PASSWORD to repair Install the OS.
If your client doesn't know what OS he/she has or serial number, how can
you be sure he knows an admin password? You will be back to the drawing
board if the system is screwed up completely. You have been warned!!
Click to expand...

What? You don't need a password to do a repair install. You need one to
enter the Recovery Console but that is different.
 
Hives are the sub-components that make up the Registry. Located
in C:\Windows\System32\Config
The User Profile Hives (NTUser.Dat) are found in the Root folder
of each account under C:\Documents & Settings\_______
 
Moses said:
How can you find out if a computer has XP Home or Pro if the computer can not
boot up. I need to repair reinstall Windows, but don't know which one to use
for my customer.
Click to expand...


If you don't know how to tell the difference between WinXP Home and
WinXP Pro, and cannot figure it out for yourself with 10 minutes, then
you should not be "repairing" a computer for anyone, much less a
customer. You're simply not qualified, yet. Ask your employer to
provide you the basic training you need to perform your assigned duties.


--

Bruce Chambers

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