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General discussion

LINUX WINDOWS XP DUAL OS HOW TO BOOT UP WINXP WITH LINUX

Oct 12, 2005 4:57AM PDT

Hello,
My name is Jim Womack and I purchased a 2 year old used Dell Dimension 2350 computer with Linux SUSE OS in it. This computer has a CDRW burner and dvd player in it. The tag on the computer says it also has Windows XP home edition in it but I cannot find how to Boot up the Windows XP. I can't operate the Linux system and I'm not interested in keeping the Linux OS.
Can anyone tell me how to bring up the Windows XP OS? I did not get any restore CD's or any program CD's with it, just the tower intact with all the components.
JimmyLWomack

Discussion is locked

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You don't have XP. So time to buy it?
Oct 12, 2005 5:04AM PDT

"Can anyone tell me how to bring up the Windows XP OS? I
did not get any restore CD's or any program CD's with it, just the tower intact with all the components."

You can find XP in a HOME or PRO version at most retail stores. It's not a free OS.

Cheers,

Bob

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MY DELL COMPUTER HAS BOTH WINDOWS XP AND LINUX SUSE OS
Oct 13, 2005 7:11AM PDT

Here's the deal,
I bought a used Dell Dimension 2350 with Linux SUSE OS AND Windows XP Home Edition in it. IN OTHER WORDS DUAL OS. MY QUESTION IS HOW TO BOOT IN WINDOWS XP???
It boots up in Linux. I can't operate Linux and I have no desire to learn it.
This computer has a tag on the side of it with Windows XP Home Edition COA and PRODUCT KEY CODE. Dell says it left the factory with Windows XP Home Edition installed in it.
What I want to do is boot it up in Windows XP but I don't know how to do that because it boots up in Linux.
Holding down F12 doesn't work when booting up?
Looking for the correct proceedure to boot it in WinXP rather than Linux OS. Nobody seems to have connected what I am trying to tell them. JIM WOMACK

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To fix that, boot the XP CD.
Oct 13, 2005 8:57AM PDT

Dell ships the machine with said CD. If you don't have it, repairs are nearly impossible.

Many buy used machines then scream over whether they own or don't own XP. Sorry, you are talking to a pragmatist here. If you have a flat tire, you have to have the tools to change or fix the flat.

It's really this simple. Find your XP Home CD and we can fix it.

Bob

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It sounds like...
Oct 12, 2005 10:17AM PDT

...you mean you installed Linux and something went wrong. Now, you can't boot into any OS. Is that right? If it is, and you don't have a Windows CD, your kinda outa luck. Check around to see if you can get a hold of a Windows CD. If you can, come check back.

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RE: LINUX OS IN MY DELL...
Oct 13, 2005 7:06AM PDT

Here's the deal,
I bought a Dell computer with Linux SUSE OS in it.
It boots up in Linux. I can't operate Linux and I have no desire to learn it.
This computer has a tag on the side of it with Windows XP Home Edition COA and product key code. Dell says it left the factory with Windows XP Home Edition installed in it.
What I want to do is boot it up in Windows XP but I don't know how to do that because it boots up in Linux.
Apparently it has dual OS in it Linux and WinXP.
How to boot up in WinXP???
Holding down F12 doesn't work when booting up?
Looking for the correct proceedure to boot it in WinXP rather than Linux OS. Nobody seems to have connected what I am trying to tell them.

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Look for Windows folder
Oct 14, 2005 3:15AM PDT

I assume you bought the PC from Dell and not a third party. Second, you made no mention of the version of SuSe OS. 9.1 or 9.3 ? I run a 9.3 on my previous Win XP machine; now the changes on MBR made by SuSE won't let me boot into Windows. However I can see the Windows folders and access the files thru SuSE. (Reportedly version 10.0 lets you do dual boot).

Try playing around in YaST on Linux to see if your PC has Winxp installed on it.

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?
Oct 14, 2005 9:03AM PDT

It's obvious it WAS bought from a third party sice Dell computers do not ship with SuSE OS.

LISTEN: Not ALL machines are DUAL-BOOT. Windows could have been erased and Linux installed on top of it.

Find a Windows Recovery CD, then come back.

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re: Dell Computer has DUAL OS IN IT
Oct 14, 2005 1:20PM PDT

I went to the Dell website and entered the service tag number on the Dell Puter. It left the factory with Windows XP Home SP1 installed in it. I have the original COA XP tag and Product Key code numbers on the side panel. That alone tells me it has Windows XP in it. I did not buy it from Dell, but like you said from a third party and I did not get the boot CD or WinXP restore CD or drivers CD's with it. I do not know how to find out who the original owner is unless the Linux is registered to said party.
I do not know how to operate Linux and I am not interested in learning Linux. I thought maybe I could get help on this site about how to boot up Windows XP that is in this computer Hard Drive. As I understand I need the original WinXP CD but I don't have it. Is there such an animal as an XP Boot disc? it has a CDRW/DVD combo, & a CD drive (two cd drives) and a 1.44mb Floppy drive in it. I could boot up with either drive if I had a boot disc. I am not a novice or a new windows operator. I do not own a Windows XP OS CD.
Thanks for your input.
Jim Womack

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I don't know how to operate Linux
Oct 14, 2005 1:55PM PDT

I bought the Dell from Goodwill, it was given to them. It is a Dimension 2350 mfg 06/03. Please read my other post to Lilsm. I did not get a recovery or Win XP boot disk or any drivers cd's with it. If you could give me a command for Linux to get to the windows file I would try that. My old computer has Win 98 in it. I have been computing since 07/31/1999 and familiar with Win98 boot and restore operations but XP is new to me.
Like I said before, I am not interested in learning Linux. I was able to boot up in Dos and found the critical information of components but did not see Win XP in the list.
Thanks for your input,
Jim Womack

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mmnnnnn.
Oct 14, 2005 4:14PM PDT

''That alone tells me it has Windows XP in it.''

No. It doesn't. It may have shipped from the factory with it, but that doesn't mean it's there now. You said you were able to boot into DOS. Can you explain futher?

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RE:
Oct 14, 2005 4:37PM PDT

Dude, you bought the dell from goodwill. There was no cd from dell with it, so you can't recover with that cd to windows xp. It has linux in the hard drive. It may be the previous owner,deleted windows and only has linux on the computer. In that case, you would need to buy WINDOWS from a store or FIND THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND ASK FOR THE CD, or not sure if this is legal, borrow a CD from a friend, and install it, but use the code on the side of your case when asked to verify. If you are unable to get any CDs, than you're stuck with linux. As you say that you don't know XP, than how are you moving backwards with linux. Both of which it seems, you know nothing. SO it doesn't matter, which one you use?

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=26935

ROger

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To elaborate...........
Oct 16, 2005 4:34AM PDT

The computer now (probably) has Suse Linux on it. MAY even still have XP loaded on it. But you seem to be missing what everyone keeps repeating. The previous owner did not include a recovery disc, so THEY are still using
THEIR Windows XP. Even if XP is still loaded on the computer, you don't own it. That's why we won't tell you how to boot it, which is possible. We're not being mean.
We're trying to not be rude. We're refusing to be illegal. You can buy an OEM disc of Windows XP Home at Newegg for less than $90. While not the only source, it is a reliable company and about as cheap as a LEGAL copy
gets. This is what I'm using to type this (in a dual-boot with Mandrake). Get this sorted out and come back, we'll be glad to help. chuck

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THANKS FOLKS MESSAGES UNDERSTOOD. NEXT QUESTION???
Oct 16, 2005 12:35PM PDT

I'M NOT YELLING FOLKS, MY EYES ARE BLURRY TONIGHT SO AM TYPING IN CAPS.
NOW TO PURCHASE A LEGAL WINDOWS XP. I'VE USED THE XP PRO AND REALLY LIKED IT, PERHAPS WILL CONSIDER PURCHASING XP PRO IF I HAVE TO BUY XP FOR THIS PUTER. THANK YOU CHUCK FOR YOUR INPUT ON NEWEGG, I HAVE USED THE NEWEGG DOWNLOAD WEBSITE FOR FREE PROGRAMS.
ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION ON WEBSITES TO PURCHASE LEGAL COPIES OF WIN XP OR XP PRO PLEASE ADVISE.
ANY THOUGHTS OF PURCHASING XP MEDIA?? WOULD XP PRO BE SUPERIOR TO XP MEDIA???
THANKS,
JIM WOMACK

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XP Media center edition is based on windows xp pro
Oct 16, 2005 3:58PM PDT

Windows XP Home is the same as windows xp pro. There's no difference in appearance,etc. The only thing is networking and other options that you probably don't need. The extra $$$ for pro, is not really worth it. If you want to purchase windows media, its basically useless unless you get a tv tuner and you could use a tv tunre without windows media. As for superiority, it depends on what youre going to do.

ROger

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I opted for XP Home.
Oct 17, 2005 3:04AM PDT

Virtually everything Pro does, Home will do, just not as easily as Pro. I am using a tv tuner/pvr card with XP Home/Mandrake 10.2 with no problems. Hope this helps.
P.S. Did you know you can increase font size to help you see better? chuck

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Don't buy just yet
Oct 17, 2005 9:18AM PDT

You HAVE an OFFICIAL licence to run Windows XP Pro on you computer. I'm not 100% sure, but I see no reason you can't find an XP Pro CD and use it to install it with YOUR CD KEY from your COA. If you must, find a copy of the EULA, the contract you accept before you install, and quickly skim it for anything that may correlate to your situation. You might also want to post another thread somewhere with this question too. Don't be bullied into buying another $150 copy!

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RE: XP PRO...
Oct 17, 2005 4:30PM PDT

I HAVE WINDOWS AN XP HOME EDITION COA TAG ON THIS COMPUTER WITH THE COA NUMBERS AND PRODUCT KEY CODE NUMBERS. WAS CONSIDERING BUYING THE XP PRO BUT AM CONVINCED TO JUST STAY WITH HOME EDITION.
I WOULD LIKE TO USE A CD TO BOOT UP WIN XP IF IT IS STILL IN HERE, I BELEIVE I COULD RE-REGISTER IT TO MY NAME USING THE KEYCODE AND COA TAG I HAVE WITH THE COMPUTER. NOT SURE ABOUT THAT...
THANKS,
JIM WOMACK

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Don't count on it.
Oct 17, 2005 9:12PM PDT

Some of these second hand Dell owners run into this and scream as they discover how XP is licensed and the license is enforced.

-> I know you wish it was not true you need the XP CD. You repeat that and I'll repeat that you need the CD. A flat tire and no spare issue.

Here's what second hand PC owners don't know and don't want to know or accept. If that COA sticker is there, it is not the full license and rights to the OS use. The former owner who kept the CDs could have registered it in their name. When you go to activate the OS (the teeth of the license) you may fail as the OS is still in use on the other machine that the other person registered it to.

Don't bother calling Microsoft on this one. OEM versions are not supported there. A waste of everyone's time on that call.

-> Bottomline. GET YOUR CD.

Bob

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dell won't boot in win xp home
Oct 21, 2005 7:57AM PDT

I read that you can get to a dos prompt. Why not type win and see what happens? perhaps the windows operating system will appear. if that happens, then you might go to the geek dept at best buy or circuit city and have them reconfigure the startup so that windows is the first to boot up, rather than the linux system. that would solve your problem and linux could stay in its own domain, unused forever. hope this helps.

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Has anyone recommended this idea?
Oct 17, 2005 12:56PM PDT

Use your 98 windoze startup disk and run fidsk to see if your hard drive is partitioned for ntfs and a non-dos partition. This will tell you if you have windoze and/or Linux installed. Before you turn your nose up at Linux. Check out Xandros Linux (www.xandros.com), it looks similiar to windoze, business edition will run windoze applications, taste like windoze, but it is Linux underneath.

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lost track of the object!
Oct 20, 2005 1:40AM PDT

I am glad someone brought back Xandros into the discussion. Did anyone realize that the whole Linux forum has been hijacked from the beginning, talking about nothing but Win XP and Microsoft? Let's get a grip of the situation here. Jimmy Womack, it is time for you to take your issues to WinXP forum.

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Thanks for the laugh...
Oct 29, 2005 11:36AM PDT

LOL

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Re: LINUX WINDOWS XP DUAL OS HOW TO BOOT UP WINXP WITH LINUX
Oct 29, 2005 4:40PM PDT

Hello !
I suggest yo go de configuration tool of linux called YAST, go to boot loader config option and see if you have the option "restore boot loader" or similar. Another option is to create a new boot loader config. This way you can integrate your winXP inte the start up list. If it works correctly, when you restart the machine, you should see a menu list for a while that permits you to select with the arrow keys witch OS starts.

If your winXP install is in good shape it will work, then you can investigate how to get rid of the linux part or take some time to have a look on it.

Good luck !

By the way, it is fanny to see how some members are always trying to warn newbies of the linux difficulties and then they do not help at all, just use a poor desperate as an example for their cause.

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Thank you so much
Oct 29, 2005 6:11PM PDT

You really have a kind heart and I appreciate your reply and help. I have searched for Linux books with the commands, looked at Linux help disks but all are too expensive to purchase for a one time use. Any helps I have found would cost me more than I paid for the computer which was a giveaway price because nobody knew how to run Linux (including me).
Do you know the commands from sign on to get to the registration page for Linux. I need to get to the former owners name so I can get them to transfer ownership of the Dell computer to me. Hopefully I can find some information in the computer.
Like you said, It seems that all the so called helpers have had snide remarks and no really interested in helping me. I have no doubt some know what to do but have ignored my pleas for help. It's like they are saying: Let the poor guy drown...
I tell you of a truth, their day is coming when they need help they won't find it. What goes around comes around goes around and back again and again like a brick wall that they have thrown at me. They need some bible teaching like the Golden Rule... Do unto others what you would have them do unto you... Thanks, Jim

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Re: former owners name
Oct 29, 2005 9:48PM PDT

Hello ! Unfortunatelly I have better intentions than knowledge. I forgot to tell you that you need the administrator password to do any change to the boot loader as I mentioned in my previous note. At this point, with now CD's you have but a few chances.

See if you can manage to have a Win_Xp star-up floppy disk and then boot up your computer with the floppy
the following lines are a recomendation of another member to a similar case:
Put your WinXP recovery or installation disk in the drive. When it asks you what to do, type "R" for rescue. You will get a prompt. Type "fixmbr" and hit enter. It may take a while.

Maybe this works, If not, we will talk about other posibilities.

Good Luck !

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PS: I DIDN'T GET THE RECOVERY CD'S WITH THE COMPUTER
Oct 30, 2005 7:57AM PST

I BOUGHT THE COMPUTER AT A GOODWILL STORE. I ONLY GOT THE OPERATORS MANUAL BUT NO RECOVERY CD'S OR BOOT DISK OR DRIVERS DISKS THAT COME WITH A DELL COMPUTER. Sad DELL WON'T TALK TO ME BECAUSE I AM NOT THE REGISTERED OWNER, THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE FORMER OWNER AND HAVE THEM SIGN THE REGISTRATION OVER TO ME. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE GOODWILL DOESN'T KEEP RECORDS OF WHERE STUFF COMES FROM AND THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT HAVE THEIR NAME IN IT. I'VE OPENED THE TOWER BUT NO NOTES INSIDE. DARN!
SINCE DELL WON'T TALK TO ME, MY ONLY CHOICE IS TO FIND THE FORMER OWNER AND ASK THEM TO SIGN REGISTRATION RIGHTS TO ME. I FIGURE THE ONLY WAY TO FIND THEM IS TO GET TO THE LINUX REGISTRATION PAGE AND GET THEIR NAME.
IF I CAN'T DO THAT I WILL JUST BUY A XP PROGRAM AND INSTALL IT IN THE COMPUTER AND FORGET ABOUT DELL REGISTRATION. UNLESS IT IS REGISTERED TO ME I CAN'T GET TECHNICAL HELP (THEY WON'T TALK TO ME). I UNDERSTAND WHY BECAUSE THEY ARE PROTECTING THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN CASE IT IS STOLEN.
THANKS FOR ADVICE... JIM WOMACK
AGAIN, DO YOU KNOW THE COMMANDS TO GET TO THE REGISTRATION PAGE ON LINUX SUSE?

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RE:
Oct 30, 2005 2:16AM PST
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THANK YOU FOR THE LINK...
Oct 30, 2005 7:59AM PST

WITH GRATEFUL APPRECIATION FOR YOU SUGGESTION.
THANKS,
JIM WOMACK