Installing Win XP Home on a freshly formatted drive when it was pre-installed

[graaaeme10]

When I get a new mobo, I will be completely formatting my hd, so I will have to reinstall windows. The problem is, windows is pre-installed on my computer. Is there a way to use the pre-installed key with a friends or some other cd so I dont have to buy a new copy of xp?

Also how do I format the drive? I certainly cant do it in windows, do I just insert a boot disc or something and then on the install it formats itself?

Thanks for any help

[Schock]

Re: Installing Win XP Home on a freshly formatted drive when it was pre-installed

If your Windows XP is a legit licenced copy you should have been given a cd, a certificate and a cd key. If you don't have a disk but you have a key, that key will work on any copy of the same version ie a Win XP Home key will not work on a win XP Pro install disk. If you don't have a cd key or disk...well you're on your own there!

The windows install disk is bootable, so you just have to put the disk in and boot from it. Then you will be able to reformat as part of the windows install process.

If you are going to get a copy of Win xp to use with your cd key, you should make sure that it includes Service Pack 2. That way it will save you having to download all the patches from Microsoft to bring it up to date. If you have an older copy, consider slipstreaming SP2 into it before you install. Just google "slipstream sp2" and you should be able to find instructions.

[graaaeme10]

Re: Installing Win XP Home on a freshly formatted drive when it was pre-installed

Cmon guys... reply!

[graaaeme10]

Re: Installing Win XP Home on a freshly formatted drive when it was pre-installed

Ok I found the key on my case, thanks for the help