Questions about re-installing XP?

Question

I've recently bought my son a new computer and so have inherited his old one. I want to clear this PC, format the drive and reinstall windows XP.
I don't have his original XP disc but there is a sticker on the computer with a 'product key'. Would I be right in assuming that I can use any copy of a windows XP installation disc with this key to reinstall XP. Would it matter if the original disc had service pack 1 and the one I'm going to use service pack 2?

Also to copy all of the userS settings to the new install do I just backup 'Documents and Settings' and over write the new documents and settings folder in the new install- (does this folder hold any information from programs that have been installed onto the computer?

Answer 1

you can format and reinstall using any xp cd, but each cd has its own key so the key written on the computer may not work with other cd (you may try though)
You can copy all files from My documents, any downloads stored elsewhere, and also the Favourites from browsers, if you want them.
It will be better if the cd that you are using has sp2 on it. It does not matter what was on the computer previously if you are formatting it anyway.
(It will be better if you copy docouments, files and then paste them in the new installation, apart from that nothing else is helpful, you can not save any programs from the old pc, you have to install them again, see if you have installation disks or downloaded installation files on the hard disk, copy them onto cds)

Answer 2

I think you will be ok with any Windows disk.... not 100% sure as I've always had the correct disk knocking around the for the pc it's being installed on. But these days the code is validated over the internet so I'm sure it will be ok.

As regards the documents and settings folder, what I would recommend is:

Copy any files out of there, e.g. My Documents, My Pictures, My Videos, etc..

Use the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard from Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools to transfer everything else.

To be honest that last step should take care of the first step, but a manual backup of files is not a bad thing to have anyway.

I would advise that instead of copying the whole Documents and Settings because there will be a lot of stuff in D & S that you won't need, though there will be some useful program settings, such as Firefox bookmarks. but I would advise that if there are settings like that in any program, use that program's export function to take a copy to then re-import on the new machine once the program has been installed.

You will then have a good, clean install with all of your settings intact.

Oh, and the Service Pack level of the disk you're using doesn't matter. Use SP2 if you have it, it'll save time downloading and installing it once you're setup.

Answer 3

You are correct the you can use any Windows XP CD with his sticker number. (As long as it is the same version of XP - you can not use XP Home CD with an XP Pro sticker for example).

Backing up the "documents and settings" will get everything stored in the "My Documents, My Pictures, etc. For most people that is everything you need. But take a moment to look for any directories outside of doc&settings that might have data in them.

When you copy the doc&settings to the new PC, I recommend that you NOT copy it over the new profile on the PC. The dic&settings will probably have some settings for programs not installed on your new PC which could cause issues with it.

Rather put the old doc&settings into a separate folder, and then just copy over the things from it you really need (usually just the My Documents and the Bookmark folders). That way you are not copying a problem from the old PC over to the new one.

Hope that helps....

Answer 4

Yes you should be able to use that product key although you might not be able to install all the updates as the product key can only be registed once. But there is a way round this search on the net for 'xp updates hacked'

Sorry not sure about the user settings?

Answer 5

It depend on whether or not the windows key is registered as a single installation or not, but theworst case is that youll need to call up the number that windows gives you and get the customer service to authorize a reinstallation.

Answer 6

Yes you can use it, even if the product key was used before, it will still be ok to use again as I remeber using my parners xp disk on my computer and using my key number. After the instilation it might give you a number to ring, if it does that then ring them and tell them you are reinstalling windows on your computer and they will help you, thats what happened to me. Hope this helps.
Just dont tell them that its from another computer and you will be fine.

Answer 7

It wouldn't matter about service packs. However it would matter if you are using a windows key not for professional or not for home. Essentially, a key for home is ONLY used for home and vice versa.

As far as your documents go, backing up your documents by creating a .ZIP file probably would be optimal. You can do this by using www.winace.com

If you need more help add me to MSN Messenger nvidiajoe216[at]hotmail.com

Good luck!

Answer 8

wouldnt recomend formating. best going to add remove programs and uninstall any thing you dont want and delete all files ( pictures and music etc) and leave your self with windows also use the files and settings tranfer wizard in xp. if you format your drive and things dont work out you will be left with a rather large door stop. try this link for advice on reinstalling windows http://www.windowsreinstall.com/indexwinxp.htm

Answer 9

Find the original disk as it will matter!

Also you'll need to ring up mircosofts help line cos you'll need to reactivate it over the phone cos it been activated once already

There is a migration tool in Windows XP to backup your settings the name eludes me.

Good Luck