How do i get windows xp onto my old computer

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jaffamanj

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I have a pc that i rebuilt some time ago but im having some trouble with the os. I have a windows xp home professional key on top of my pc case, and im using the same motherboard, harddisk, and cpu that used to have the windows xp home professional os on it, but the harddisk is formated. What should i do from here? i have tried many things but im not too good at os installation..

I also have a windows 98 harddisk wich sits inside the pc, and i can boot into 98.

What should i do to get windows xp on my computer again?
 
Solution
BFG-9000
An iso is a downloadable image of a disc, which you would use in this case to burn a CD-R. As XP uses a CD disc instead of DVD the download is small compared to later versions of Windows.

If it's an OEM computer like a Dell or HP, your best bet would be to get an XP disc for that specific OEM as it may contain a certificate that automatically activates Windows when it recognizes something in the BIOS. Otherwise you have to hope the key on the sticker works without having to call (it will almost certainly activate online if it's a retail key, and almost certainly not if an OEM key). Calling isn't always so bad either as often you get an automated phone tree instead of someone in India.

You only install from 98 if you want to...
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BFG-9000

BFG-9000

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You'll need an iso of either a retail or OEM XP, in either Home or Professional to match that sticker. So there are 4 possible isos and only one matches the sticker. Needless to say Microsoft removed the downloads from Digital River ages ago so it's Google or eBay.

Don't worry about the service pack of the iso as you can slipstream SP3 to it or even the unofficial SP4.
 
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escstudios

escstudios

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Hey , whats up.


If you have windows 98 installed and it runs, then from there you should be able to install XP.
Load the Xp install CD inside the CD Rom drive. then I think from within, windows 98 you should be able to install it.
Go to windows explorer and go to the CD. find install . exe or whatever windows installer .exe and launch it, and install xp.

keep in mind, i think it will install over and remove the windows 98 installation. any files etc will be removed.

So, if you want to keep the windows 98 install, then
make a second partition, using partition software, and then install the XP
on the fresh and new second partition.

 
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escstudios

escstudios

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Hello !





not sure he knows what slipstream is , neither do I,,,, he may not even know what iso means. Basically BFG is saying that You Need an Install CD for the Windows XP

and it will have a code of some sort, a serial number on the CD or on the paper that came with it. :)

When The Software is installed, This new Serial Number will be entered, and it should match to the CD, so this install will install. Later there will be a thing that says "verify" and you will verify ( that the CD was real ) that verify thing could be months later dont worry about it at first







 
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J

jaffamanj

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Sadly, i dont. The machine is about 10 years old so the disc is gone for sure.

Judging by all the other helpful comments i basically need to get a new one from for example Ebay?
 
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BFG-9000

BFG-9000

Splendid
Sep 17, 2016
3,415
434
27,090
An iso is a downloadable image of a disc, which you would use in this case to burn a CD-R. As XP uses a CD disc instead of DVD the download is small compared to later versions of Windows.

If it's an OEM computer like a Dell or HP, your best bet would be to get an XP disc for that specific OEM as it may contain a certificate that automatically activates Windows when it recognizes something in the BIOS. Otherwise you have to hope the key on the sticker works without having to call (it will almost certainly activate online if it's a retail key, and almost certainly not if an OEM key). Calling isn't always so bad either as often you get an automated phone tree instead of someone in India.

You only install from 98 if you want to upgrade from 98 or erase it. Otherwise unplug the power from the 98 disk before booting from the CD to install XP on the other disk. If it turns out your key is only an upgrade one, then clone the 98 disk to the other one first (again, unless you never want to see 98 again).
 
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