XP re-installation problem

[Guest]

Hi, I've had problems with my computer and have installed another
motherbooard. I ran into problems with XP and decided to re-install XP. I've
got official version/sticker/whole kits&kaboodle. Now during start-up I get
the choise out of two XP operating systems. Initially, when re-installing XP
Prof. it did not take my key and I had to call microsoft for a
'release-code'. This got it installed and working, but after running all the
updates it now tells me that it is not genuine software??? Disk/Sticker came
with the computer, but shop is out of business. Microsoft helpline referred
me to a completely unrelated help case
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52026) and advised that I could only
get this resolved over that link. I'm at loss as to what to do now. Really
appreciate your assistance.

 

[thecreator]

Hi Rene,

Use Explore, and see if both copies of Windows XP Professional are located on the same partition or on different partitions of your Hard Drive.

How many Hard Drives are installed? How many partitions are installed and you are using?

Do you have the Windows XP Professional Edition Full Version or Upgrade Version? Is the Windows XP Product Key located on the back of the Cardboard container? That is where the Windows XP Home Edition Product Key is located.

 

[Guest]

Hi, to answer your questions, I can only see one copy (c:\Windows.) Quite
frankly I don't know where to look better, didn't find another windows??
Two hard drives are installed, but one has been wiped empty. No hidden files
or similar. Now installed two hard drives with each two partitions (but one
disk - both partitions empty).

I've got the full version disk - XP Professional including SP2. Don't have
the box any more, but the sticker on the computer gives the key.

Thanks, Rene.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, seem to lose my replies all the time.

I can only find one windows directory. Two disks with two partitions, one
completely empty (disk).

I have the full version XP Prof with SP2 on disk.

Thanks, Rene

 

[thecreator]

Hi Rene,

Glad you said you have more than one partition, because it makes backing up your Hard Drive easy to do.

Do the following: Using a Backup program, back up the following folders, plus any other information you need:
(Substitute your User ID.)
My Documents
Favorites
C:\Documents and Settings\thecreator\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
C:\Documents and Settings\thecreator\Desktop
C:\Documents and Settings\thecreator\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities (All Sub-folders of Identities, because this is where your E-mails from Outlook Express are stored.)

Nero has a good Backup Program to use.

Don't use the Quick Format, but format normal. I only picked FAT32 because I have one than one operating system on a single program with two Hard Drives. You can pick NTFS Format.

Procedure to Reinstall Windows XP!

If you want to save any files, make a backup of those files off the Hard Drive and proceed.

0. - Turn off the printer.
1. - Go into Computer Bios and Set Defaults and Exit, if you know how.
Make sure the Boot Order is set to Boot to CD-Rom Drive First.
2. - Insert Windows XP CD into CD-Rom Drive.
3. - Reboot the computer.

Note: If Windows XP is installed, working okay, you will need to Press a key to boot from the Windows XP CD.
If you are using an Upgrade CD, and the computer boots directly from the CD, you will need to furnish a qualifying previous version of a Windows operating system's Installation CD, in order to install Windows XP from an Upgrade CD.

4. - Welcome to Setup.
5. - Reinstall XP - Press Enter
6. - F8 - I Agree
7. - Esc: Don't Repair
8. - Select Partition to Install Windows XP on.
Use UP and DOWN ARROW Keys to Highlight Partition.
9. - Press Enter.
10. - Press C to Continue.
11. - Highlight the Action You Want To Take.
Type of Format you want to perform.
12. - I selected Format The Partition using the Fat File System.
13. - Then Press Enter to Continue
14. - Warning Message
15. - Press F
16. - To Continue To Format Partition with the FAT32 File System.
17. - Press Enter.
18. - Now it formats.
19. - After Formatting It Checks The Drive.
20. - Then Copies files to partition.
21. - Now it Reboots to Windows XP. Don't press a key to boot to CD.
22. - And now it installs Windows XP.
23. - You need to be here now.
24. - Starts at 39 Minutes to Complete.
25. - At 33 minutes, you need to set Time and Time Zone.
26. - And Enter The Product Key.
27. - At 29 minutes, you need to pick the Network.
28. - Now wait for Reboot and you are done.

Note: If you are using a Wireless Computer, do not attempt to Activate Windows or Register until an Internet Connection is established.

Once you are up and running normally and correctly, burn an image of your Hard Drive into another partition or onto CD-RW Disks or DVD-RW Disks.

This is a good program to have and use for controlling the Boot process and burning images.
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html

BootItâ„¢ NG is a partition and multiboot manager with a powerful and simple-to-use set of tools for partitioning, imaging, and multi-booting your computer. It combines the features of several standalone products costing hundreds of dollars more.

 

[Guest]

Thanks!!! Really appreciate the help! Cheers, Rene.

 

[thecreator]

Hi Rene,

Suggestion, if you are using Outlook Express as your Newsreader, you can click on the Eyeglasses column, to watch the message for replies. It turns the watched message Red in color to set it off from the other messages. New Watched messages, are a Bold Red in color.

And you can also move all Watched messages to the beginning of the folder, by clicking on the Eyeglass Icon in the header of the column.

 

[Guest]

In order to be "safe" i'd like to format the second disk and make it
'master', remove the first disk and do the install on the now 'new' first
disk. Then I would still have all the info on the previous first disk. Then
make that disk slave and copy the necessary info. Any thoughts on that?
Possible problems? Thanks!

 

[thecreator]

Hi Rene,

I would leave the current Disk that you are removing to be safe, as the new Slave, but once you copy the information from the old slave, reformat so you won't have problems. I say reformat to correct the Master Boot Record and you won't have problems in the future.

Don't forget to change the Jumpers on the Hard Drives, when you switch locations.

I see no problems with what you are planning to do, save for my comments above.