Reinstalling Windows XP from 2 disks (OS & Drivers)

S

SHO

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Which do you do first?

OS or drivers? OS right? Will I be prompted by the PC to do both until it's done?

I've done this before but it's been with one disk that had OS and drivers. I have a situation now where there are two disks, one for OS an done for drivers. My plan is to shut the computer off, and then restart while tapping F8 and I hope this gives me the option to do a re-install.
 
You need to install the OS first. it will install generic drivers for your hardware during the installation process.

When it is installed, the first thing you need to do is install the specific drivers for your Mother Board. This can be done from the CD that came with your MoBo.

My plan is to shut the computer off, and then restart while tapping F8 and I hope this gives me the option to do a re-install.
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Depending on what F-key your MoBo uses to enable the Boot Selection, yes, it will work. You could also enter BIOS and chance your optical drive to the Primary Boot Device.
 
When I have the new OS and drivers installed, I will obviously have to do Windows Update and a fewf other security program installations but will XP SP2 be a part of my update process,or will it automatically just be SP 2 when I do the re-install?
 
imsati said:
When it is installed, the first thing you need to do is install the specific drivers for your Mother Board. This can be done from the CD that came with your MoBo.
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So, after I install the OS, will it prompt me to do the drivers CD or do I need to shut down the computer when the OS install is done and then put the drivers disk in and then reboot?
 
So, after I install the OS, will it prompt me to do the drivers CD or do I need to shut down the computer when the OS install is done and then put the drivers disk in and then reboot?
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Step 1: Save all relevant data personal files, photos, music, etc.) from your old install (if applicable)
Step 2: Place the Windows XP CD into your optical drive and boot to it from either BIOS or pressing F8
Step 3: Install Windows
Step 4: After it's fully installed and you're at the Windows Desktop, remove the Windows XP CD and put in your MoBo's Driver CD. The Driver CD may or may not have an auto-run feature, so give it a few seconds before you try to open anything. Most drivers will need to be installed separate from others, so you may have to reboot a bit. Please note that there is no set order to install the drivers, so either go right down the list or skip around, just make certain you load them all. As individual ones are loaded, you'll receive corresponding messages/input (ie: Windows will find a network connection after LAN drivers are installed, and you'll hear the Windows Logoff sound after you install the Audio drivers and reboot).
Step 5: After all drivers are loaded, access Windows Update (see below).
Step 6: Enjoy :)

will XP SP2 be a part of my update process
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Yes. Once Windows is installed and the drivers are loaded, you will need to update Windows. This will be done in a few steps. First, Windows Update will install WGA and a few other updates, then prompt you to reboot. When you use Windows Update next, it will install a lot of updates, then prompt you to reboot. SP2 must be installed separate from other updates, so when you use Windows Update again, it will download and install.

SP2 is a large update, so it will take a bit to download, and a very long time to install. At one point, the status bar may appear to be stuck around 60-80% of the install, but just stick it out - all is good and your system is not frozen.

Edit: Note that for XP or XP SP1 install CDs, there can be a LOT of updates, so getting your system current with all patches, etc. can take a few hours as things are downloaded and installed.
 
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Thank you for this guide.

One or two other questions.

Will I need a product key to do this process if I have the actual OS & drivers CD's that came with the PC?

After I do the re-install of OS & drivers, how much trouble should I have connecting to the Net in order to update Windows and other security apps which I plan to install on the PC from a USB flash drive.

I don't need the Net to download the apps, just to update them. Obviously I need the Net to get Windows Update.
 
Most welcome.

Will I need a product key to do this process if I have the actual OS & drivers CD's that came with the PC?
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Yes, you will need the product key. When you are installing Windows, at one point it will ask you to enter the 25-digit Key before you can continue.

After I do the re-install of OS & drivers, how much trouble should I have connecting to the Net in order to update Windows and other security apps which I plan to install on the PC from a USB flash drive.
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One of the MoBo driver packages you will install is support for USB devices. Once that driver is installed, you can plug in a USB key and use it.

Another MoBo driver package is support for LAN (networking, ethernet). You will not be able to connect to the internet until you enable this driver package. Once it's installed, you should be good, though you may have to reset a router/cable modem to make sure everything is synced-up.
 
It's not my computer, it belongs to my mother and she says she has the disks but not the product key information. Is there a way to contact Microsoft explain it to them, so they can get me a key?

Yes, the CD's are OEM. Totally legit and for the computer I'm working on tonight.
 
You could try calling MS and explain, but good luck with that. Also, if the CD is from Dell, HP, etc., chances are that it is 'manufacturer-specific' and will only install on one of their systems.
 
imsati said:
Also, if the CD is from Dell, HP, etc., chances are that it is 'manufacturer-specific' and will only install on one of their systems.
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I think that is the case here which makes me wonder why I need a product key if the disks are designed for use only with the machine they were intended for. Maybe she has the product key info somewhere, I guess I'll find out tonight.
 
If it is a manufacturer's Recovery CD, then no Product Key will need to be entered, as the info on the CD is already encoded to only work for a system made by than manufacturer.

Try as you might, you will not be able to install a Recovery CD on to a system not of that manufacturer. You would need to buy a retail version of the OS. I would suggest getting an Upgrade as opposed to the Full Version in your case, as you already 'have' the OS, technically.
 
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