Re: Reinstall xp

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Thanks JS
You may be and probably are right about the disc being BIOS locked.
Oh well, it only adds one more step to the procedure and I have the SP2 disc.

Thanks
--
As always thanks for any and all responses.


"JS" wrote:

Belarc reports the key code Dell used when they installed XP, you should use
the key code on the sticker for a re-install.
I don't think the laptop's CD will work as at the very least the key code
for that CD will be the code for the laptop and may be tied to the laptop's
BIOS, stick with the original CD that came with your Dell.
You will be required to activate but since your installing to the same PC
this should not be a problem.
You should also check to make sure your PC will support the new drives,
especially if they are more than 120GB in size.

JS

"D.B." <DB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B87FC00A-AB63-4583-8151-C6B7832C2C85@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have decided that after I install 2 new harddrives I will reinstall XP
but
I have a few questions.
The last time I reinstalled was maybe 4 years ago and things have changed
with regard to WGA and WPA.
1) I have Belarc advisor and the product key that it reports. I also have
a
COA sticker on my computer. Which of these do I use when asked during set
up?
I have had to re-register a few times such as when I updated my video card
driver last Sept. Is this going to present a problem?
I don't have a problem explaining to Microsoft the circumstances regarding
this reinstall, I just don't want to NOT be able to re-activate if there
is
even a chance of that.
2) I have my original Dell XP reinstall disc. This is a genuine reinstall
disc not just a recovery disc. But is pre SP1.(wine colored disc) It is
only
"XP Gold". I also have SP2 on a disc from Microsoft, so I can reinstall
that
way. But I also have a genuine Dell XP with SP2 reinstall disc that came
with
my sons laptop this past Christmas, (blue colored disc). Can I use this
disc
or would it be better to use the one that came with this particular
machine ?
3) I am really NOT looking forward to redownloading all the various
updates
to not only the operating system but all of the various apps. also, so I
thought about "auto patch" however, this is a 225 Mb download on a dial-up
network and I wont live long enough to see it through. I also don't know
anyone with a highspeed connection willing to help me out. Are there any
cd's available with auto patch on it, say perhaps in a magazine or
available
to order? I haven't seen this option on the auto patch website but
perhaps I
missed it.
As always thanks for any and all responses.



.

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