Re-install of XP Pro - Problems?

[Harry Krause]

I'm upgrading the computer on which I run XP Pro. Actually,
I'm getting a new computer. The drives on the current one will be
wiped and I'll be running a Linux server on the machine.

So, I'm assembling a new machine. I presume that I can install my
legitimately owned Win XP Pro on the new machine, and that it might
require a call to MS. I've got the original MS CD and the CD code.

Should I contact MS ahead of starting the new isstall? Is there a
special phone number for this?

Also, my new machine has SATA hard drives, so at some point in the
install process, I'll have to hit F6 to slip in a floppy with the
drivers, but...the new machine has only a USB floppy, so at what point
during the install does XP Pro recognize USB devices?

Thanks for any help!

 

[D.Currie]

I'm upgrading the computer on which I run XP Pro. Actually,
I'm getting a new computer. The drives on the current one will be
wiped and I'll be running a Linux server on the machine.

So, I'm assembling a new machine. I presume that I can install my
legitimately owned Win XP Pro on the new machine, and that it might
require a call to MS. I've got the original MS CD and the CD code.

If it's a retail version, no problem. If it's a bios-locked oem version,
it's not going to work.

Should I contact MS ahead of starting the new isstall? Is there a special
phone number for this?

No, you activate as normal; chances are it will of through on the Internet,
otherwise you may need to call' the phone number to call will be listed if
you need it.

Also, my new machine has SATA hard drives, so at some point in the install
process, I'll have to hit F6 to slip in a floppy with the drivers,
but...the new machine has only a USB floppy, so at what point during the
install does XP Pro recognize USB devices?

Good. question. Depends on the bios, I suppose, but considering my USB
keybaord is recognized from the beginning, there's a good chance it will
work. If not, floppy drives are cheap; you can buy one and connect it
temporarily. It may come in handy later.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

There shouldn't be any problem activating your copy over the internet
providing it is a retail version and not an OEM that came with the PC. Mind
you most of the pc manufacturers now supply recovery disk.

I've never used a SATA drive but as i too have a USB keyboard and mine is
recognised as soon as XP starts installing then i concur with D.Currie that
you may not have the problems you think you may have. You can laways give it
a try. Floppy disk drives are cheap enough now anyway.

 

[D.Currie]

I was actually quite surprised when I realized that my wireless USB keyboard
was working on a clean install. Regular USB keyboard, I knew would be ok,
because I have one computer that has no ps2 ports -- or serial. But when the
wireless was working, I was pretty darned impressed.

For loading the SATA drivers, the usb floppy should be just fine, for
booting from it, it may require a change in the bios. But having a few extra
drives around isn't a bad idea either.