Windows XP Question:

Hondajt · 26 Jan 2010

I know this isn't Win7 related, but I love this forum and know you can help me through my giant brainfart.

I got a "new to me"/used computer from a friend. The case has the windows xp sticker on it. It is currently running Windows XP Home, but is glitchy. It needs a reformat and reinstall.

I would like to format the drive and re-install Windows XP. The key on the case is for Windows XP Home edition. I have a Windows XP CD but how do I know what edition it is? (the CD is a back-up copy I had laying around, and just says windows xp).

valtonray · 26 Jan 2010

check and see. if not im sure a quick search online will turn up an iso avaible for download. just try to get one that hasn't been tampered with.

gregrocker · 26 Jan 2010

Do you know if it is an OEM CD that came with a factory-installed computer? What does it say on it?

Put the CD in the drive and copy down the label which will be listed next to your CD drive in My Computer.

Post it back here exactly as it appears in My Computer and we can tell you what version it is.

Hondajt · 26 Jan 2010

Vrmpvol_EN:

thats it. When I just insert the CD, it only shows Windows XP stuff. It says it includes Service Pack 2.

But no mention of Pro or Home

gregrocker · 26 Jan 2010

That is XP Pro SP2 Student version. Won't work with Home or OEM. You need an XP Home OEM installer.

There is a workaround on the web to make an XP retail installer be seen as an OEM one and vice versa. I used this myself to reinstall XP Home retail CD to activate an OEM license: How to Change Windows XP Version Between Retail, OEM and Volume License Channel My Digital Life

But you will need to find the correct version for your OEM license which is Home as all versions are not in the ISO as with Vista or Win7.

Capella · 26 Jan 2010

I....don't think that will work whether you have the cd or not...I had a laptop before in which I erased the harddrive and took another windows xp cd. It failed. Apparently, every windows xp cd has a specific product key? I think you can't use any windows xp cd and install it and expect it to activate....
My suggestion is to go to your Windows folder and there should be a folder which contains the contents of the windows xp cd itself. use the i386 folder and install xp directly from your hard drive.
Windows xp has a different mechanism for activation. If I were you, I would install from the i386 folder because the product id of your installation is within that folder, so it's guaranteed to work.
Cheers~!

Hondajt · 26 Jan 2010

Dang. Thanks though. I guess now's as good of time as any to get a new OS.

Capella · 26 Jan 2010

Hondajt said:

Dang. Thanks though. I guess now's as good of time as any to get a new OS.

XD

gregrocker · 26 Jan 2010

Reinstalling or running an XP Repair Install from the I386 file is an "iffy" thing. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But you can try it using this: How to install Windows from the I386 folder

Any OEM XP disk of your version will reinstall factory OEM XP with the Product Key on the COA sticker attached to the machine. You may need to make a robocall to MS to sort out the key but that is why the sticker is there: You own that version for the life of the machine and are entitled to reinstall it whenever you want. With XP you just have to use the right CD, either OEM or retail, in your correct version.

Capella · 26 Jan 2010

hmmm. Okay, I had an xp laptop with an oem key
Went online and downloaded xp cd iso
Installed it on laptop
Failed to activate-tried to call representative-they said you need to go to oem and get new cd.

Maybe it can work, but I wouldn't bet so much on that......XP, in addition to the product Key ALSO had a product ID for each xp iso. Apparently, the id also affects whether or not xp will activate.