Win XP Setup Options

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Guest

Stupid question...but I was given a "restore" cd with my Dell system and I can format and reinstall using it, no problem, but when it installs Windows XP, I don't get any setup options for components that I can customize like I did with Win98...do I need to ask Dell for the actual Windows XP cd to get this option?
 
You sound like me, but I bought an eMachines P4 system with Windows XP. My
understanding is that the restore disk does just that.... restore your
computer/system to how it was when you bought it - Nothing more. You have
the full version of Windows XP, but it is also "crippled" to only work on
your computer for your system. It is not right, but that it is the way it
is.

Dan

Janice said:
Stupid question...but I was given a "restore" cd with my Dell system and I
Click to expand...
can format and reinstall using it, no problem, but when it installs Windows
XP, I don't get any setup options for components that I can customize like I
did with Win98...do I need to ask Dell for the actual Windows XP cd to get
this option?
 
Right and another drawback is it's only a mirror image of your drive, meaning even if you wanted to, you can't repartition, or so I've heard. But I'm still wondering if there is an option to select components, even from this restore cd...and if not, if I bought an actual xp version, would I have the option of selecting components? Just curious...my curiosity gets the better of me.
 
no, the actual xp install does not include customisable options for windows
components within the setup prog. However, you can install those extra
components later from the add/remove progs menu.

Janice said:
Stupid question...but I was given a "restore" cd with my Dell system and I
Click to expand...
can format and reinstall using it, no problem, but when it installs Windows
XP, I don't get any setup options for components that I can customize like I
did with Win98...do I need to ask Dell for the actual Windows XP cd to get
this option?
 
What is not right about it. A full version of Windows XP retail cost
is $299.00 US.
People buy these crippled _VALUE_ (CHEAP) PC's and then harp because
they aren't fully functional.
 
What is not right about it. A full version of Windows XP retail cost
is $299.00 US.
People buy these crippled _VALUE_ (CHEAP) PC's and then harp because
they aren't fully functional.
Click to expand...
Whoa!
For your information......... you can buy a $2500 PC (not cheap in my
books) and still get nothing more than the cheap restore version.
Now-a-days MANY manufacturers consider a "Full Version Disc" to be an
"extra".

What people have a RIGHT to harp about is how manufactures rarely SAY
on packaging, or information leaflets that the customer is getting a
crippled version. Most only say "Windows XP Home"......... not
"Windows XP Home- Crappy Version". The trend is part Microsofts
fault, part Vendor fault.......... SAVE MONEY. The vendors would not
have to pay much more for an "OEM" copy which is also cheap because it
releives MS from the "support" end, but is "full featured" in every
other way.
You can't just rag on the BUYER because they want to save a buck.
Don't we all? At the rate PC's are out-dating themselves........ few
are willing (and rightly so) to spend wads of cash on a pc that will
choke on the new game out next year, or the new OS out in the next
couple.
Good advice is spend what you can afford, and buy a "xp home" version
to install yourself. OR pick up a "Do it yourself" book and build your
own........ with pc parts prces as low as they are now, you could
build one yourself as cheap (or close) to what the bargain
manufacturers charge. And pcs's have never been as easy to whip
together as they are now.


And in response to an earlier guess in the thread...... YES you can
still partition the drive. Restore disks/partitions only image the
system partition, not the whole hard drive.
There are free partition managers that been praised in the
group........ or if you don't mind spending... Partition Magic 8 is
GREAT.


§kullywag©-
 
Yes Janice, I think you can use a progam like PartitionMagic to partion the
drive. But to do a refresh of the OS like if you had the full or upgrade
disk - NO. I am going to try to find out more about what can be done to
make my eMachines OS more usable, but who knows. Since you did buy the
computer with Windows XP installed and own that license, you should be able
to take it off (uninstall it) that computer and install it on another one.
But, like the saying goes, "lfe is not fair", and if you want to play with
Bill Gates, you have to play with his "ball"

Good Luck,
Dan

Janice said:
Right and another drawback is it's only a mirror image of your drive,
Click to expand...
meaning even if you wanted to, you can't repartition, or so I've heard. But
I'm still wondering if there is an option to select components, even from
this restore cd...and if not, if I bought an actual xp version, would I have
the option of selecting components? Just curious...my curiosity gets the
better of me.
 
Yes Janice, I think you can use a progam like PartitionMagic to partion the
drive. But to do a refresh of the OS like if you had the full or upgrade
disk - NO. I am going to try to find out more about what can be done to
make my eMachines OS more usable, but who knows. Since you did buy the
computer with Windows XP installed and own that license, you should be able
to take it off (uninstall it) that computer and install it on another one.
But, like the saying goes, "lfe is not fair", and if you want to play with
Bill Gates, you have to play with his "ball"

Good Luck,
Dan
Click to expand...
What happened to Bill's other one? Did Netscape win it in their
lawsuit?


§kullywag©-
 
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