trouble overwriting XP pro w/XP home

  • Thread starter Thread starter Doug Freeman
  • Start date Start date
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Doug Freeman

sometime ago bought a used computer off of a friend of a
friend. while recently trying to do a microsoft update
via online, (because the desktop had disappeared), came
to discover the software is pirated, (according to a
return message from microsoft). reported it via the
option provided and then went to best buy and bought xp
home edition to make sure there's legitimate software on
machine. however, it won't allow me to install the new
xp home edition software.

is there a way i can just erase everything off my
computer and start with a clean slate so it will allow me
to install the xp home edition i just bought? i've
already copied my files down so i don't care about wiping
everything out.

thanks for helping out a novice!
 
The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

1. Open your BIOS and set your CD Drive as the first bootable device.
2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. After installing Windows XP, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

--
Nicholas

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| sometime ago bought a used computer off of a friend of a
| friend. while recently trying to do a microsoft update
| via online, (because the desktop had disappeared), came
| to discover the software is pirated, (according to a
| return message from microsoft). reported it via the
| option provided and then went to best buy and bought xp
| home edition to make sure there's legitimate software on
| machine. however, it won't allow me to install the new
| xp home edition software.
|
| is there a way i can just erase everything off my
| computer and start with a clean slate so it will allow me
| to install the xp home edition i just bought? i've
| already copied my files down so i don't care about wiping
| everything out.
|
| thanks for helping out a novice!
 
If you currently have XP home installed and now you have a legal
installation key, just change the installation key number as follows:

1. Go to Activate Windows
2. Select the Telephone option
3. Click "Change Product Key"
4. Enter your product key number
5. Click "Update"
6. Reboot and reactivate.

If the machine has a pirated version of XP Pro installed, you'll have to do
as Nicholas has stated.

Rich
 
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