Reinstalling XP

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Howard Brazee

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My mother's computer is messed up. I'm planning on borrowing it a

day, copying her documents to my computer, adding some more RAM, and

then reinstalling Windows XP.



I believe there shouldn't be any problems with her applications or

data.



But I have a half dozen Windows XP disks. I don't know if it makes

any difference which one I use - but I don't want to use a code I have

already used for reinstalling Windows. Can I look up her code and

then use any disk?



--

"In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found,

than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace

to the legislature, and not to the executive department."



- James Madison
 
Howard Brazee wrote:

> My mother's computer is messed up. I'm planning on borrowing it a

> day, copying her documents to my computer, adding some more RAM, and

> then reinstalling Windows XP.

>

> I believe there shouldn't be any problems with her applications or

> data.

>

> But I have a half dozen Windows XP disks. I don't know if it makes

> any difference which one I use - but I don't want to use a code I have

> already used for reinstalling Windows. Can I look up her code and

> then use any disk?



What is the make and model of your mother's PC?



It should have a Windows XP Certificate of Authenticity sticker affixed

to the case (assuming the PC originally came with a license to run

Windows). On this sticker, you will find the version (e.g., XP Home or

XP Pro) and the Product Key. Your installation CD *must* match the type

and license represented on this COA sticker. Also, a Retail XP

installation CD will not work with an OEM license/Product Key. For that

situation, you would need to use a generic OEM XP installation CD (and

again, the version [Home or Pro] would need to match).



With some installation CDs, there is no need to even enter the Product

Key. (Example: A Dell PC and a Dell-branded XP installation CD. In this

case, there is code on both the CD and the motherboard to allow for what

is called System-Locked Preinstallation.)
 
On Wed, 12 May 2010 10:08:32 -0400, "Daave" wrote:



>What is the make and model of your mother's PC?

>

>It should have a Windows XP Certificate of Authenticity sticker affixed

>to the case (assuming the PC originally came with a license to run

>Windows). On this sticker, you will find the version (e.g., XP Home or

>XP Pro) and the Product Key. Your installation CD *must* match the type

>and license represented on this COA sticker. Also, a Retail XP

>installation CD will not work with an OEM license/Product Key. For that

>situation, you would need to use a generic OEM XP installation CD (and

>again, the version [Home or Pro] would need to match).



I have both home and pro versions of XP Pro. She might have her

original disk, but I can't count on it. She has an e-Machines

computer and all of the stickers are still on front of the machine.

So you think her product key might be on one of those stickies. That's

good, provided a generic XP CD will work or that she has her disk.

I know enough to not run any software until I upgrade her XP when I

reinstall.



>With some installation CDs, there is no need to even enter the Product

>Key. (Example: A Dell PC and a Dell-branded XP installation CD. In this

>case, there is code on both the CD and the motherboard to allow for what

>is called System-Locked Preinstallation.)



--

"In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found,

than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace

to the legislature, and not to the executive department."



- James Madison
 
Howard Brazee wrote:

> On Wed, 12 May 2010 10:08:32 -0400, "Daave" wrote:

>

>> What is the make and model of your mother's PC?

>>

>> It should have a Windows XP Certificate of Authenticity sticker

>> affixed to the case (assuming the PC originally came with a license

>> to run Windows). On this sticker, you will find the version (e.g.,

>> XP Home or XP Pro) and the Product Key. Your installation CD *must*

>> match the type and license represented on this COA sticker. Also, a

>> Retail XP installation CD will not work with an OEM license/Product

>> Key. For that situation, you would need to use a generic OEM XP

>> installation CD (and again, the version [Home or Pro] would need to

>> match).

>

> I have both home and pro versions of XP Pro. She might have her

> original disk, but I can't count on it.



That is why I asked for the model. With that information, we could

search Google and determine the method Emachines provided to return the

PC to its original condition. It's quite possible this PC did not ship

with a CD and that the method involves accessing a hidden recovery

partition on the hard drive.



Also, look at the COA sticker. It should look like this:



http://i1.iofferphoto.com/img/item/354/750/76/X08.jpg



I assume it came with XP Home (but you can tell us for sure). If so, you

would need to use a generic OEM version of XP Home along with the

Product Key on the sticker. If you have a branded OEM version, I doubt

it work work.



Then again, if there is a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive

and the hard drive is still in good shape physically, you should be

fine.



If you *do* happen to have a *generic* OEM version of XP (correct

version, Home or Pro, to match the license on the COA sticker), you may

still want to use it in order to avoid all the trialware and crapware

Emachines probably includes with their recovery partition.



> She has an e-Machines

> computer and all of the stickers are still on front of the machine.

> So you think her product key might be on one of those stickies. That's

> good, provided a generic XP CD will work or that she has her disk.

> I know enough to not run any software until I upgrade her XP when I

> reinstall.

>

>> With some installation CDs, there is no need to even enter the

>> Product Key. (Example: A Dell PC and a Dell-branded XP installation

>> CD. In this case, there is code on both the CD and the motherboard

>> to allow for what is called System-Locked Preinstallation.)
 
On Wed, 12 May 2010 07:53:25 -0600, Howard Brazee

wrote:



> My mother's computer is messed up. I'm planning on borrowing it a

> day, copying her documents to my computer, adding some more RAM, and

> then reinstalling Windows XP.

>

> I believe there shouldn't be any problems with her applications or

> data.





There should be no problems with data, if you've copied it, but her

applications will have be reinstalled from the original media.





> But I have a half dozen Windows XP disks. I don't know if it makes

> any difference which one I use - but I don't want to use a code I have

> already used for reinstalling Windows. Can I look up her code and

> then use any disk?





Yes, *if* the disks match her Windows XP with respect to Retail vs.

OEM, Full vs. Upgrade, Home vs. Professional. And also if she has an

OEM version that came with the computer, it will probably also have to

match with respect to OEM vendor.





--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003

Please Reply to the Newsgroup
 
On Wed, 12 May 2010 11:07:46 -0400, "Daave" wrote:



>That is why I asked for the model. With that information, we could

>search Google and determine the method Emachines provided to return the

>PC to its original condition.



I have the model written down at home, but I'm at work. My Mom lives

in a retirement home - I was going to try to borrow her computer this

weekend, but I may need to get by before I take it.



>It's quite possible this PC did not ship

>with a CD and that the method involves accessing a hidden recovery

>partition on the hard drive.



Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure that this is the case. I

hope it has some instructions somewhere.



>Also, look at the COA sticker. It should look like this:

>

>http://i1.iofferphoto.com/img/item/354/750/76/X08.jpg



Will do.







--

"In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found,

than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace

to the legislature, and not to the executive department."



- James Madison
 
On Wed, 12 May 2010 08:55:30 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"

wrote:



>

>There should be no problems with data, if you've copied it, but her

>applications will have be reinstalled from the original media.





Hmmm, she's in her 80's and she's not real organized. That might be

a problem.



Interesting problem though when people don't remember whether they

bought a program on-line or from where.



--

"In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found,

than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace

to the legislature, and not to the executive department."



- James Madison
 
Howard Brazee wrote:



> On Wed, 12 May 2010 11:07:46 -0400, "Daave" wrote:

>

>

>>That is why I asked for the model. With that information, we could

>>search Google and determine the method Emachines provided to return the

>>PC to its original condition.

>

>

> I have the model written down at home, but I'm at work. My Mom lives

> in a retirement home - I was going to try to borrow her computer this

> weekend, but I may need to get by before I take it.

>

>

>>It's quite possible this PC did not ship

>>with a CD and that the method involves accessing a hidden recovery

>>partition on the hard drive.

>

>

> Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure that this is the case. I

> hope it has some instructions somewhere.

>

try here

http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html



>

>>Also, look at the COA sticker. It should look like this:

>>

>>http://i1.iofferphoto.com/img/item/354/750/76/X08.jpg

>

>

> Will do.

>

>

>
 
Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

> On Wed, 12 May 2010 07:53:25 -0600, Howard Brazee

> wrote:



>> But I have a half dozen Windows XP disks. I don't know if it makes

>> any difference which one I use - but I don't want to use a code I

>> have already used for reinstalling Windows. Can I look up her code

>> and then use any disk?



> Yes, *if* the disks match her Windows XP with respect to Retail vs.

> OEM, Full vs. Upgrade, Home vs. Professional. And also if she has an

> OEM version that came with the computer, it will probably also have to

> match with respect to OEM vendor.



That is not my experience.



That is, it should be possible to use a generic OEM (aka System

Builder's) version of XP along with the Product Key on the COA sticker

affixed to the PC with the OEM XP license, provided the type of XP

(e.g., Home or Pro or MCE) matches.



One time, I ran into a bit of a snag with an HP laptop. During the

installation (using my System Builder's OEM XP Pro installation CD), it

would not accept the Product Key from the COA sticker (OEM license for

XP Pro) as it should have. I researched the problem and instead used the

generic "golden master" product key that HP uses for XP Pro. That

allowed me to complete the installation. Then when it was time to

activate XP, I needed to enter the Product Key on the sticker!
 
On Wed, 12 May 2010 12:41:24 -0400, "Daave" wrote:



> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

> > On Wed, 12 May 2010 07:53:25 -0600, Howard Brazee

> > wrote:

>

> >> But I have a half dozen Windows XP disks. I don't know if it makes

> >> any difference which one I use - but I don't want to use a code I

> >> have already used for reinstalling Windows. Can I look up her code

> >> and then use any disk?

>

> > Yes, *if* the disks match her Windows XP with respect to Retail vs.

> > OEM, Full vs. Upgrade, Home vs. Professional. And also if she has an

> > OEM version that came with the computer, it will probably also have to

> > match with respect to OEM vendor.

>

> That is not my experience.

>

> That is, it should be possible to use a generic OEM (aka System

> Builder's) version of XP along with the Product Key on the COA sticker

> affixed to the PC with the OEM XP license, provided the type of XP

> (e.g., Home or Pro or MCE) matches.





You're right. My apologies. I was thinking of a big OEM's CD

(BIOS-locked to the computer) with a generic key.



--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003

Please Reply to the Newsgroup
 
On Wed, 12 May 2010 11:25:19 -0500, Bob I wrote:



>try here

>http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html



They told me the following:

I understand that you are trying to reinstall the Operating System of

the Computer using the Windows XP Disk without losing the data.



Howard, this is to inform you that the scope with eMachines Technical

support is limited. In order to help with out of scope issues we have

a dedicated team called "Pay for support" who will be able to provide

you with the best options available and help you further.

=========================

Her machine has the following specifications:



Specifications

CPU : Intel® Celeron® D Processor 352

(512KB L2 cache, 3.20GHz, 533MHz FSB)

Operating System : Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home SP2



Chipset : ATI Radeonâ„¢ Xpress 200

Memory : 512MB DDR (1 × 512MB) 400MHz (PC3200)

Expandable to 2GB

Hard Drive : 120GB (7200rpm, 2MB cache)

Optical Drive : 48x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive

Video : ATI Radeonâ„¢ X300-based integrated graphics

Up to 128MB of shared video memory

PCI-Express® (PCI-E x16) slot available

Sound : 6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio

Network : 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)

Modem : 56K ITU v.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)

Peripherals : Standard multifunction keyboard, 2-button wheel mouse,

amplified stereo speakers (USB powered)

Ports/Other : 6 USB 2.0 (2 in front, 4 in back), VGA external

connector, serial port, parallel port, 2 PS/2 ports (keyboard and

mouse), 5 audio ports (2 in front, 3 in back)

Dimensions : 14.25"H x 7.25"W x 16"D

Weight : 22.5 lbs (PC only)







--

"In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found,

than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace

to the legislature, and not to the executive department."



- James Madison
 
I was under the impression you wanted to perform a Clean Install (i.e,

wipe the hard drive clean, start fresh, install a clean instance of the

OS, install the programs, and copy all the data back). But based on what

you included below, the eMachines technical support department seems to

believe you want to perform a Repair Install (which, if done correctly,

leaves all the data and OS and applications untouched, more or less).



What is it you wish to do?



If the PC is truly "messed up" (i.e., compromised with *too much*

malware), the sensible move is to perform a Clean Install. If the PC

just has one instance of malware, removing the malware (and a Repair

Install would probably be unncessary) is the way to go.



So, do you have the correct method to reinstall Windows handy (if this

is necessary)?





Howard Brazee wrote:

> On Wed, 12 May 2010 11:25:19 -0500, Bob I wrote:

>

>> try here

>> http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html

>

> They told me the following:

> I understand that you are trying to reinstall the Operating System of

> the Computer using the Windows XP Disk without losing the data.

>

> Howard, this is to inform you that the scope with eMachines Technical

> support is limited. In order to help with out of scope issues we have

> a dedicated team called "Pay for support" who will be able to provide

> you with the best options available and help you further.

> =========================

> Her machine has the following specifications:

>

> Specifications

> CPU : Intel® Celeron® D Processor 352

> (512KB L2 cache, 3.20GHz, 533MHz FSB)

> Operating System : Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home SP2

>

> Chipset : ATI RadeonT Xpress 200

> Memory : 512MB DDR (1 × 512MB) 400MHz (PC3200)

> Expandable to 2GB

> Hard Drive : 120GB (7200rpm, 2MB cache)

> Optical Drive : 48x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive

> Video : ATI RadeonT X300-based integrated graphics

> Up to 128MB of shared video memory

> PCI-Express® (PCI-E x16) slot available

> Sound : 6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio

> Network : 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)

> Modem : 56K ITU v.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)

> Peripherals : Standard multifunction keyboard, 2-button wheel mouse,

> amplified stereo speakers (USB powered)

> Ports/Other : 6 USB 2.0 (2 in front, 4 in back), VGA external

> connector, serial port, parallel port, 2 PS/2 ports (keyboard and

> mouse), 5 audio ports (2 in front, 3 in back)

> Dimensions : 14.25"H x 7.25"W x 16"D

> Weight : 22.5 lbs (PC only)
 
On Thu, 13 May 2010 15:47:05 -0400, "Daave" wrote:



>I was under the impression you wanted to perform a Clean Install (i.e,

>wipe the hard drive clean, start fresh, install a clean instance of the

>OS, install the programs, and copy all the data back). But based on what

>you included below, the eMachines technical support department seems to

>believe you want to perform a Repair Install (which, if done correctly,

>leaves all the data and OS and applications untouched, more or less).

>

>What is it you wish to do?



A repair install. My mother is in her late 80's and doesn't have

good records of her applications that she wants working when I'm done.



>If the PC is truly "messed up" (i.e., compromised with *too much*

>malware), the sensible move is to perform a Clean Install. If the PC

>just has one instance of malware, removing the malware (and a Repair

>Install would probably be unncessary) is the way to go.



I will run what I can to clean it up.



>So, do you have the correct method to reinstall Windows handy (if this

>is necessary)?





I've got XP installation disks, and I'm pretty sure she has an

installation partition (which I don't know how to use).



--

"In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found,

than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace

to the legislature, and not to the executive department."



- James Madison
 
Howard Brazee wrote:

> On Thu, 13 May 2010 15:47:05 -0400, "Daave" wrote:

>

>> I was under the impression you wanted to perform a Clean Install

>> (i.e, wipe the hard drive clean, start fresh, install a clean

>> instance of the OS, install the programs, and copy all the data

>> back). But based on what you included below, the eMachines technical

>> support department seems to believe you want to perform a Repair

>> Install (which, if done correctly, leaves all the data and OS and

>> applications untouched, more or less).

>>

>> What is it you wish to do?

>

> A repair install. My mother is in her late 80's and doesn't have

> good records of her applications that she wants working when I'm done.



From the information you provided, it sounds like a Repair Install won't

accomplish anything positive. It is only used in certain situations, and

again by your description, your mother's situation is not one of them.



>> If the PC is truly "messed up" (i.e., compromised with *too much*

>> malware), the sensible move is to perform a Clean Install. If the PC

>> just has one instance of malware, removing the malware (and a Repair

>> Install would probably be unncessary) is the way to go.

>

> I will run what I can to clean it up.



In that case, I recommend you visit this page:



http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware



It's quite labor-intensive, but you will have a shot at fixing whatever

problems are there.



>> So, do you have the correct method to reinstall Windows handy (if

>> this is necessary)?

>

>

> I've got XP installation disks, and I'm pretty sure she has an

> installation partition (which I don't know how to use).



The above is moot if you are only removing malware. Good luck and let us

know how you did!



(Just remember: If the system is too severely compromised, you will

really have no other choice than to perform a Clean Install.)
 
On Thu, 13 May 2010 23:27:00 -0400, "Daave" wrote:



>> I will run what I can to clean it up.

>

>In that case, I recommend you visit this page:

>

>http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

>

>It's quite labor-intensive, but you will have a shot at fixing whatever

>problems are there.

>

>>> So, do you have the correct method to reinstall Windows handy (if

>>> this is necessary)?



I don't know that she has malware. A couple of people have

suggested that reinstalling Windows as if it were an upgrade would fix

a poorly running system. I was planning on running Spybot after

doing a full virus scan. I'll probably run a few of the things

mentioned on your link.



--

"In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found,

than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace

to the legislature, and not to the executive department."



- James Madison
 
A Repair Install will not and cannot resolve a malware-related issue.



Howard Brazee wrote:

> I don't know that she has malware. A couple of people have

> suggested that reinstalling Windows as if it were an upgrade would fix

> a poorly running system. I was planning on running Spybot after

> doing a full virus scan. I'll probably run a few of the things

> mentioned on your link.
 
Howard Brazee wrote:

> On Thu, 13 May 2010 23:27:00 -0400, "Daave" wrote:

>

>>> I will run what I can to clean it up.

>>

>> In that case, I recommend you visit this page:

>>

>> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

>>

>> It's quite labor-intensive, but you will have a shot at fixing

>> whatever problems are there.

>>

>>>> So, do you have the correct method to reinstall Windows handy (if

>>>> this is necessary)?

>

> I don't know that she has malware.



Also, you don't know she *doesn't* have malware. ;-)



Usually, if a PC is "messed up," malware is the cause.



> A couple of people have

> suggested that reinstalling Windows as if it were an upgrade would fix

> a poorly running system.



A poor suggestion. A Repair Install is only indicated in certain

situations. You have provided no indication that your mother's PC

suffers from one of these situations.



> I was planning on running Spybot after

> doing a full virus scan. I'll probably run a few of the things

> mentioned on your link.



Good luck. In addition to checking for spyware (Spybot S&D is OK, but

MBAM and SAS are superior), you need to check for viruses, worms, etc.

Avira AntiVir and Avast are good free AV programs.



If you post back with specifics with regard to the actual problems on

this PC, we may very well be able to provide you with much more targeted

advice. For instance, you might find that all you need to do is to

unsintall the Google toolbar browser addon (or something else along

these lines).
 
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