Hi:
Recently, I purchased a slightly used PC with SP3, because I like XP over
Windows 7.

An issue I encountered is that some of programs is not like an XP that I
have on other PC/SP3. This PC is I purchased as a brand new about two and a
half years back from local BestBuy.

Then, I'm thinking of 'Clean Instal XP,' however I never done it before.
First of all, I fear whether I'm able to do that.

I regard myself, ... between 'beginner to intermediate PC' as to dealing
with any of PC issues, all of which I acquired by doing the PC at home. I
never expose any of PC professionals/Geeks.

My question is as follows:
1. How to 'uninstall' XP? There is XP/SP3 in 'Add/Removal.' Or, do I need
a program to remove/uninstall XP?

2. If successfully removed/un-installed XP from the slightly used XP/SP3, I
need to purcahse XP from the vendor? I have XP CD that came with other PC.

Any other detailed suggestions along with steps by steps insturction on this
would be truly appreciated.

Thanks for your help in advance.

First, assuming the PC, bought at BestBuy is a big name box, did you get a set of restore disks with
it?
If not, depending on the PC brand, there may be a hidden restore partition on the hard drive. What
is the PC brand and model?
Or do you own a retail copy of the Windows XP installation disk, with key code?

We will need a lot more information to be able to give you accurate directions.

But generally, you don't "uninstall" Windows XP, you use the restore disks, or the retail disk, or
the tools in the hidden partition to start a new installation. The new installation removes the old
installation of XP.
If you use the PC manufacturers "Restore Disk" or "Hidden Partition" tools, you will have all of the
hardware drivers (software) included. If you use a retail copy of Windows XP, you will have to
download the hardware drivers for your brand and model.

"Cosmos69" <Monday@comcast.net> wrote in message news:OvIRDF5bKHA.1592@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hi:
> Recently, I purchased a slightly used PC with SP3, because I like XP over Windows 7.
>
> An issue I encountered is that some of programs is not like an XP that I have on other PC/SP3.
> This PC is I purchased as a brand new about two and a half years back from local BestBuy.
>
> Then, I'm thinking of 'Clean Instal XP,' however I never done it before. First of all, I fear
> whether I'm able to do that.
>
> I regard myself, ... between 'beginner to intermediate PC' as to dealing with any of PC issues,
> all of which I acquired by doing the PC at home. I never expose any of PC professionals/Geeks.
>
> My question is as follows:
> 1. How to 'uninstall' XP? There is XP/SP3 in 'Add/Removal.' Or, do I need a program to
> remove/uninstall XP?
>
> 2. If successfully removed/un-installed XP from the slightly used XP/SP3, I need to purcahse XP
> from the vendor? I have XP CD that came with other PC.
>
> Any other detailed suggestions along with steps by steps insturction on this would be truly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks for your help in advance.
>

Cosmos69 wrote:
> Hi:
> Recently, I purchased a slightly used PC with SP3, because I like XP over
> Windows 7.
>
> An issue I encountered is that some of programs is not like an XP that I
> have on other PC/SP3. This PC is I purchased as a brand new about two and a
> half years back from local BestBuy.
>
> Then, I'm thinking of 'Clean Instal XP,' however I never done it before.
> First of all, I fear whether I'm able to do that.
>
> I regard myself, ... between 'beginner to intermediate PC' as to dealing
> with any of PC issues, all of which I acquired by doing the PC at home. I
> never expose any of PC professionals/Geeks.
>
> My question is as follows:
> 1. How to 'uninstall' XP? There is XP/SP3 in 'Add/Removal.' Or, do I need
> a program to remove/uninstall XP?
>


The normal way to "uninstall" any operating system is to format
the hard drive and install a new OS of your choice.


> 2. If successfully removed/un-installed XP from the slightly used XP/SP3, I
> need to purcahse XP from the vendor?


You'd either have to try to purchase the OEM installation disk(s) from
the computer's vendor, or purchase either am unbranded, generic OEM
license or a retail full license form some 3rd party.

> I have XP CD that came with other PC.
>

That cannot be used on the new, "slightly used" computer. Based on
your own description, you have an OEM license for WinXP from the
defunct machine. An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware
(normally a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC) and is
_permanently_ bound to the first PC on which it's installed. An OEM
license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another computer
under _any_ circumstances.

You'll need to purchase a new WinXP license for the "new" computer.

As for the new installation, itself:

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
news:ulwYa$5bKHA.2572@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

<snip>

> That cannot be used on the new, "slightly used" computer. Based on your
> own description, you have an OEM license for WinXP from the defunct
> machine. An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a
> motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_ bound
> to the first PC on which it's installed. An OEM license, once installed,
> is not legally transferable to another computer - under _any_
> circumstances.

Not true.
Microsoft has the right to print almost anything it wants in its license.
Manufacturer's licenses are always subject to the applicable laws at all
levels at the locality of of the purchase and/or use of the licensed item.
In order to have a limited number of unique licenses, some or many of its
provisions may not be applicable in some or may locations that the software
is purchased or used. Some localities may have laws that circumvent your
notion of "under _any_ circumstances".

-Paul Randall

Paul Randall wrote:
> "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
> news:ulwYa$5bKHA.2572@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>
> <snip>
>
>> That cannot be used on the new, "slightly used" computer. Based on
>> your own description, you have an OEM license for WinXP from the
>> defunct machine. An OEM version must be sold with a piece of
>> hardware (normally a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC)
>> and is _permanently_ bound to the first PC on which it's installed.
>> An OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to
>> another computer - under _any_ circumstances.
>
> Not true.
> Microsoft has the right to print almost anything it wants in its
> license. Manufacturer's licenses are always subject to the applicable
> laws at all levels at the locality of of the purchase and/or use of
> the licensed item. In order to have a limited number of unique
> licenses, some or many of its provisions may not be applicable in
> some or may locations that the software is purchased or used. Some
> localities may have laws that circumvent your notion of "under _any_
> circumstances".

However, generally, if one part of a supposedly legal document is
illegal then so is the whole document!!

--
Geoff
ExploitEd

Wisdom and experience come with age, they say, but I do wish I could
remember the darn question

You should have a license sticker on the machine you are planning on
reloading. That is your certificate of license. You reinstall the OS
with a CD that accepts the license code on the sticker. This is a small
problem since MS changed the encoding method and not every CD works with
every license code and you may have to search around to find one. I
would suspect that you need a OEM SP2 CD. If you have the sticker you
don't have to buy another copy of the OS unless that is the only way to
get a CD.

Or, if you are lucky, there is a choice in the BIOS to reload the OS
from a recovery partition.