is it possible to tell if a windows xp disc is service pack 2 or what? (1 Viewer)

[Denny Oubidoux]

Morning all. Can I install windows xp from anyones disc and then register it with windows using my own activation/registration code from the back of the PC? I gave my xp disc to the niece a few years ago and she never gave it back.

 

[pete]

Morning all. Can I install windows xp from anyones disc and then register it with windows using my own activation/registration code from the back of the PC? I gave my xp disc to the niece a few years ago and she never gave it back.

i'm going to say yes BUT lots of "xp disks" are actually system restore disks & will most likely only work on a specific manufacturer's hardware. i think.

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

So I need to make sure I get a proper full installation cd? If I downloaded an xp torrent would that be likely to work with my number?

 

[pete]

So I need to make sure I get a proper full installation cd? If I downloaded an xp torrent would that be likely to work with my number?

i'd give it a lash

 

[RayRay]

Id say you'd be fine once you match up the Service Pack with the one you have a licence for. I installed Windows 7 with a Dell restore disk on a puter i built myself and it worked. In My Computer properties it thinks its a Dell that was the only thing

 

[pete]

So, in summary, a pretty conclusive "maybe" all round.

 

[maims bond]

You can deffo do this. I was doing some nixers a while back and reinstalled plenty of OSs. I ended up having a whole load of DVDs of different versions of windows. Just make sure you download the same version i.e. home or professional. Try to get an OEM version of the disc on a torrent. This always worked for me and I could use the original product key that was on the PC.

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

Now I just have to do it

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

I've been trying to do this reinstallation thing. I downloaded an XP iso and burned it using nero set to cd-rom (boot) option, then i set the bios to boot from the cd-rom. When i boot the pc i get the following message "Boot from ATAPI CD-ROM:" with a little flashing cursor after it and it doesnt do anymore. What am I doing wrong?

 

[pete]

I've been trying to do this reinstallation thing. I downloaded an XP iso and burned it using nero set to cd-rom (boot) option, then i set the bios to boot from the cd-rom. When i boot the pc i get the following message "Boot from ATAPI CD-ROM:" with a little flashing cursor after it and it doesnt do anymore. What am I doing wrong?

use the Recorder > Burn Image option in Nero instead

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

I'll give that a go thanks

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

This didn't go so well. I formatted the wrong partition, it turned out to be XP pro instead of home and it got stuck half way through installation.

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

it wont accept my product key damn it

 

[pete]

it wont accept my product key damn it

have a poke around in the ISO for a .ifo or text file that might have a key you can use temporarily until you find an XP Home disk.

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

All fixed up now .|..|