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Resolved Question

How to reintall Windows XP

Jun 15, 2012 12:25AM PDT

I have an old computer circa 2003 that I need to reinstall Windows XP. I have license # but don't have the disks that came with computer.

I need to format the HD and reinstall Windows XP

Discussion is locked

mrgnic has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Reinstall Windows XP
Jun 19, 2012 2:51AM PDT

To Reinstall Windows XP,

Must have a bootable CD of Windows XP with Serial Key
Insert CD in CD Drive and restart system
Then Boot from XP CD
Follow appropriate option from it and wait for completion of setup..

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Reinstalling Windows XP
Jun 22, 2012 12:12AM PDT

Hi mrgnic

I had this same problem a few years ago but first, Microsoft stopped allowing computer manufacturers some time ago from selling O/S installation disks with their PCs and I am sure it was long before 2003. So, chances are, your PC did not come with any disks.

Anyway, I had to buy a retail copy of WinXP Pro from a small PC repair shop, again MS will not allow major retailers to sell copies of O/S they want to get rid of.


UK Bob

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That's not exactly correct.
Jun 22, 2012 12:47AM PDT

The makers were pressured for lower costs and including restore media was a cost item. This cost was much more than the cost of the media. It cost to have the staff to create them, the artwork on them, the inventory item and it goes on and on.

The new system was to push the cost off the machine and we enjoyed lower prices but had to create the media on our own.

It was a cost issue and not a mandate by Microsoft.
Bob

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The Power Behind the PC
Jun 22, 2012 10:46PM PDT

Dear Bob

I do not doubt that cost played a part in PC manufacturers no longer supplying installation disks with their products but, as I worked in the computer industry at the time, let me relay to you what I know.

Microsoft announced, before 2000, that PCs were no longer going to be supplied with installation disks but instead the installation routine would be held on a hidden partition on the HD. To install windows on a newly purchased PC the manufacturer would supply a 1.44mb 3.5 inch diskette that would have the necessary programs on it to boot from, access the hidden partition and install windows on your PC.

In 2001 I bought an XP Home PC. which I needed urgently, from a big Computer retailer (never again) and apart from a range of built in limitation it was as described above.

Finally, remember that all manufacturers stopped supplying installation disks at approximately the same time, this would not be logistically possible unless a powerful player was pulling the strings.


UK Bob

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Which still does not remove your need to backup.
Jun 23, 2012 5:50AM PDT

If folk don't backup, how could they complain about loss?

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PS. Let's take this to a new discussion.
Jun 23, 2012 5:56AM PDT

In the USA, all the Dells provided a means to create restore media yet folk failed to do so.

Here, Dell may offer a download as you can read at http://forums.cnet.com/7726-13974_102-5325452.html?tag=posts;msg5325452

Let's get down to it. You seem to be writing as if there was some conspiracy or pressure from Microsoft. Here I went to the Microsoft seminars and DSP meetings on this subject and there was no mandate from Microsoft to stop providing media. The pressure was on the makers to reduce costs. And this is a cost reduction.

If you feel like there was a conspiracy, that's fine too.
Bob

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Solved problem
Jun 24, 2012 5:51AM PDT
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May be Dell was different.
Jun 23, 2012 8:43PM PDT

I brought a Dell Desktop in 2002 with XP Pro and they provided me with the XP Setup disks with it, as well as the Office XP (2002) setup CD (which was part of my order). Not XP recovery disks, genuine Windows XP installation CD and drivers CD.

I had to use them once as well to reinstall XP onto the system.

So, that was well after 2000.

My new Alienware Desktop, (new 2 years ago), arrived with Vista preinstalled and with the Windows Vista DVD and drivers.

I have not seen any Microsoft intrusion myself and I always understood this change to recovery partitions, then to 'create your own recovery disks', to the manufacturers' own cost cutting exercises.

Mark
UK

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Answer
No XP CD?
Jun 15, 2012 12:30AM PDT

Then you'll have to fix that first. It's just like a flat tire and no lug wrench. Impossible to do the job.

And let's be clear about that license #. If it's on the PC then you may need the maker's CD since those numbers rarely work with retail copies of XP CDs.

I know it sounds like a small detail but it's one that wipes some folk out.

-> Why must it be XP? If you only need a web browser and maybe some Office why not Ubuntu?
Bob

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Answer
Hope this helps
Jun 15, 2012 11:24AM PDT

Here is a post that may help you, don't know. I had read your post, then came across this. It would be cool if it does help.

Can I sell my XP Home Edition Retail CD?

by megamett--2008 - 6/9/12 8:03 PM

Hi everyone. I have a perfectly fine Windows XP 32bit retail cd gathering dust, and I'd like to sell it and find a new home for it. This CD was installed a few years back, and I have no idea if it's still in activation. I had switched to Windows 7 about two years ago, by clean installing W7 over this copy I'd like to sell. Not sure if the license key has been deactivated, or if its even possible.

Can I legally sell this CD on ebay? I have found quite a few used retail cd copies being sold on ebay. I paid about $200 at a CompUSA a while back, it may be worth $30 or more on the secondary market, and would love to get something for it versus using it as a drink coaster!

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I assume
Jun 16, 2012 6:21AM PDT

you are saying to the OP, (Original Poster), to check on eBay.

If so the OP may have the difficulty that Bob pointed out with a retail XP CD.

And of course that post you found, from 2008, I doubt that poster is still around.

Mark