Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
Recovery routines usually wipe the drive and reinstall from scratch, placing
the system back in the condition it was fresh from the factory.
A retail Windows CD, can do a reinstall over the current setup, it can do a
repair install and it has a number of options that can be run from the
recovery console, another of the features of the retail CD which is not
usually included in a recovery routine.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"Happy" <happy@trial.ca> wrote in message
news:4%7Td.8203$oh4.300367@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> My computer is HP. They gave instructions for making Recovery disks, (2
> DVD's!), which I did. Is that the same as "Windows CD?"
> "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst(nojunk)@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:usMCpQeGFHA.3316@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> There are some limited cases where files on the retail cd, such as those
>> in the value added folder, might be handy to have in the cd format. In
>> general, when a recommendation says to use the original XP disk, the
>> advice means the one that came with YOUR computer. Who made your
>> comptuer? Does it have directions for making a Windows cd from the
>> preinstalled files? Have you checked the manufacturer's website?
>>
>> --
>> Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
>> (Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
>> "Ken Blake" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
>> news:ehU6YUdGFHA.2740@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>> In news:QJ3Td.8052$oh4.295084@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca,
>>> Happy <happy@trial.ca> typed:
>>>
>>>> I notice often the solution recommended, in order to fix a problem, is
>>>> to "install the original XP disk".
>>>
>>>
>>> Although you often see that recommendation, in the great majority of
>>> cases, it's a *terrible* recommendation.
>>> In my view, it's almost always a mistake. With a modicum of care, it
>>> should never be necessary to reinstall Windows (XP or any other
>>> version). I've run Windows 3.0, 3.1, WFWG 3.11, Windows 95, Windows 98,
>>> Windows 2000, and Windows XP, each for the period of time before the
>>> next version came out, and each on two machines here. I never
>>> reinstalled any of them, and I have never had anything more than an
>>> occasional minor problem.
>>>
>>> It's my belief that this mistaken notion stems from the technical
>>> support people at many of the larger OEMs. Their solution to almost any
>>> problem they don't quickly know the answer to is "reformat and
>>> reinstall." That's the perfect solution for them. It gets you off the
>>> phone quickly, it almost always works, and it doesn't require them to do
>>> any real troubleshooting (a skill that most of them obviously don't
>>> possess in any great degree).
>>>
>>> But it leaves you with all the work and all the problems. You have to
>>> restore all your data backups, you have to reinstall all your programs,
>>> you have to reinstall all the Windows and application updates,you have
>>> to locate and install all the needed drivers for your system, you have
>>> to recustomize Windows and all your apps to work the way you're
>>> comfortable with.
>>>
>>> Besides all those things being time-consuming and troublesome, you may
>>> have trouble with some of them: can you find all your application CDs?
>>> Can you find all the needed installation codes? Do you have data backups
>>> to restore? Do you even remember all the customizations and tweaks you
>>> may have installed to make everything work the way you like?
>>>
>>> Occasionally there are problems that are so difficult to solve that
>>> Windows should be reinstalled cleanly. But they are few and far between;
>>> reinstallation should not be a substitute for troubleshooting; it should
>>> be a last resort, to be done only after all other attempts at
>>> troubleshooting by a qualified person have failed.
>>>
>>> If you have problems, post them here; it's likely that someone can help
>>> you and a reinstallation won't be required
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> My computer came pre-installed. Two questions:
>>>> -What steps should I take when I have a problem?
>>>
>>>
>>> See above.
>>>
>>>
>>>> -I am buying a full version of XP. to use on another computer. Could
>>>> it in fact be used on mine to fix problems?
>>>
>>>
>>> It depends on how you use it, but if you're asking about using it to do
>>> a clean installation, as you suggest above, probably not. You have an
>>> OEM version currently installed and if you buy a retail version, the
>>> Product Activation keys are not compatible.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>>> Please reply to the newsgroup
>>>
>>>
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