clean install XP
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: bhx
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
clean install XP
I think the time has finally come for me to upgrade from Win2000 pro to XP pro. Only I'm going to do it as a clean install, soooo I've backed everything up thats precious, what next? Do I create a new C drive partition and install the new OS from there? Any other tips?
Thanks everso.
Thanks everso.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Witnesham, Suffolk
Age: 80
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It depends! If Win2000 is working OK, why change?
How old is the computer, and what spec?
You wouldn't want to reformat an old hard drive, install XP, and have the drive die of old age within a few weeks.
My inclination would be to treat myself to a new hard drive - or a new computer. XP needs more resources, and may prove a bit slow on an old machine.
How old is the computer, and what spec?
You wouldn't want to reformat an old hard drive, install XP, and have the drive die of old age within a few weeks.
My inclination would be to treat myself to a new hard drive - or a new computer. XP needs more resources, and may prove a bit slow on an old machine.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
Posts: 4,091
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure if this is world wide but here in Australia Dell are offering Vista as the standard OS but will 'downgrade' your purchase to XP if you so wish! For the equivalent of GBP400.00 you can have a brand new computer with a dual core processor and at least 1 Gig of RAM. Worth a look at www.dell.co.uk .
(I don't work for them!).
(I don't work for them!).
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sunny Sussex
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To answer the question...
If it's a one hard drive machine, pop the xp disk in and turn the pc on. The disk should automatically run. If it doesn't, reboot, and access the bios. Then change the boot order so that the cd drive is the first boot device. Then save changes and exit.
This time it will run, follow the instructions. If you have more than one hard drive installed & there is stuff you don't wish to lose, be sure to install xp on the correct drive. I stuffed that one once & lost ooh a thiusand albums or so...
If it's a one hard drive machine, pop the xp disk in and turn the pc on. The disk should automatically run. If it doesn't, reboot, and access the bios. Then change the boot order so that the cd drive is the first boot device. Then save changes and exit.
This time it will run, follow the instructions. If you have more than one hard drive installed & there is stuff you don't wish to lose, be sure to install xp on the correct drive. I stuffed that one once & lost ooh a thiusand albums or so...
Not sure if this is world wide but here in Australia Dell are offering Vista as the standard OS but will 'downgrade' your purchase to XP if you so wish! For the equivalent of GBP400.00 you can have a brand new computer with a dual core processor and at least 1 Gig of RAM. Worth a look at www.dell.co.uk .
(I don't work for them!).
(I don't work for them!).
A new hard drive?
If you only have the one drive, then a new hard drive (£25 or so off eBay for 250 Gig) is a good option. Has the advantage that you aren't going to screw up anything on your existing drive, & you can copy over all your precious-es at leisure... and if all does go pearshaped you can revert to W2000 - leave the old drive in the m/c.
I've used the two-drive route every time I've upgraded and it works.
As for MctheKnife & 'best operating system' - well, I never had the blue screen of death on XP pro - lots of times from 2000. But then I do mess my m/c around a lot. Horses for courses, I guess.
Good luck,
Jim
I've used the two-drive route every time I've upgraded and it works.
As for MctheKnife & 'best operating system' - well, I never had the blue screen of death on XP pro - lots of times from 2000. But then I do mess my m/c around a lot. Horses for courses, I guess.
Good luck,
Jim
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
If you have more than one physical disk and you want a really clean install, use the BIOS to disable all but the disk you are going to install onto.
Windows installer is really dumb, doesn't give you any say in where the OS puts boot files, and if it finds a second, formatted disk, will put some on it.
So disable or disconnect extra disks before installing. Re-enable them after the install and configure as necessary in Disk Manager, if required.
Mac, I have found XP to be superior in almost every way to 2000, except where CPU and memory are constrained. I wouldn't put XP on a sub 500 MHz / 256MB RAM PC, but that spec. would cope OK with 2K.
Win 2K was issued to a deadline (2K), while XP was not. IMHO, XP is what 2K was meant to be, but they ran out of time.
Win2K had a lifespan of 2 years before next OS release, and is now at SP4, with an "unofficial" SP5 released.
Win XP had a lifespan of 5 years before next OS release and only 3 SPs.
I genuinely believe that XP is a more complete, more stable and better OS than 2K. Of course I am not comparing either to Linux or Mac OS!! Different battleground!!
SD
Windows installer is really dumb, doesn't give you any say in where the OS puts boot files, and if it finds a second, formatted disk, will put some on it.
So disable or disconnect extra disks before installing. Re-enable them after the install and configure as necessary in Disk Manager, if required.
Mac, I have found XP to be superior in almost every way to 2000, except where CPU and memory are constrained. I wouldn't put XP on a sub 500 MHz / 256MB RAM PC, but that spec. would cope OK with 2K.
Win 2K was issued to a deadline (2K), while XP was not. IMHO, XP is what 2K was meant to be, but they ran out of time.
Win2K had a lifespan of 2 years before next OS release, and is now at SP4, with an "unofficial" SP5 released.
Win XP had a lifespan of 5 years before next OS release and only 3 SPs.
I genuinely believe that XP is a more complete, more stable and better OS than 2K. Of course I am not comparing either to Linux or Mac OS!! Different battleground!!
SD
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
Posts: 4,091
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"install happily without any need to enter a product key or activate."
Didn't work for me and all my software is legit. and the OS and computers were all Dell!
OldBeefer - 'phone Dell and tell them the sale is contingent on the OS being XP SP3, nothing else will do! See how you get on, I have always found Dell to be helpful
Didn't work for me and all my software is legit. and the OS and computers were all Dell!
OldBeefer - 'phone Dell and tell them the sale is contingent on the OS being XP SP3, nothing else will do! See how you get on, I have always found Dell to be helpful
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
Posts: 4,091
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, most recently I re-installed XP on a computer, (Dell), was asked for and supplied the ID Key, installation OK but now asked to activate. Now I get a message saying it has happened too many times already, 'phone this number.
'Phone said number, follow prompts, tell a few porkies about "is this your only computer" etc. then get a massive string of letters and numbers to install, then the system activates, other wise I get a warning that it will all turn to worms very quickly. The CD was bronze in colour.
'Phone said number, follow prompts, tell a few porkies about "is this your only computer" etc. then get a massive string of letters and numbers to install, then the system activates, other wise I get a warning that it will all turn to worms very quickly. The CD was bronze in colour.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: bhx
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi guys, thanks for the replies, so sorry its taken such a long time to come back. I'm very easily distracted! To be honest the fear of disaster and minimal benefits meant I lost enthusiasm too. But now I really have to make the jump because our new digital camera comes with software which needs xp and it means I cant connect the camera. (the card reader doesnt accept the SD HC card I bought either - isnt technology wonderful?).
So as its been so long I'm going to review how I do this again, so any more tips ideas please?
Maybe I should have explained the current set up a bit better...
the case has space for 2 HDD (having removed the floppy); the primary (?) slot is occupied by the older 19GB drive which is C and has 7GB space left. The second slot is taken by D drive (although disk manager shows it in 2 sections both labeled D, 128 and 21 GB) with 120Gb free, but IPODs might be coming to the household in the next 12 months and now pic files are 3x the size with the new camera. The larger drive is of course faster too but also noisier which is why i never bothered to swap it over so far. D contains pictures and music mostly (all pics backed up).
If I start spending on hardware then I will probably end up with a whole new pc as the power supply is sounding ill on start up and mobo wont do SATA. But if it aint broke now why not stretch it out for another 6 months to a year?
Incidently I've seen the posts about not touching xp SP3.
PS. Very happy with new canon ixus 870 camera (good price on amazon). One of my better purchasing decisions.
So as its been so long I'm going to review how I do this again, so any more tips ideas please?
Maybe I should have explained the current set up a bit better...
the case has space for 2 HDD (having removed the floppy); the primary (?) slot is occupied by the older 19GB drive which is C and has 7GB space left. The second slot is taken by D drive (although disk manager shows it in 2 sections both labeled D, 128 and 21 GB) with 120Gb free, but IPODs might be coming to the household in the next 12 months and now pic files are 3x the size with the new camera. The larger drive is of course faster too but also noisier which is why i never bothered to swap it over so far. D contains pictures and music mostly (all pics backed up).
If I start spending on hardware then I will probably end up with a whole new pc as the power supply is sounding ill on start up and mobo wont do SATA. But if it aint broke now why not stretch it out for another 6 months to a year?
Incidently I've seen the posts about not touching xp SP3.
PS. Very happy with new canon ixus 870 camera (good price on amazon). One of my better purchasing decisions.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello
From the specs that you have posted, can you please tell us the make and model of the older kit. That partician manager report of a large hard disk D comprising a split partition sounds unfamiliar to me.
Yes I have a Dell 1310 Laptop Running XP Pro and the drive partion seems strange. 3Gb Ram 160 Gb HDD.
The Dell works well but its a modern M/C. In addition my ancient Compaq 1200 Lap top - A 10 GB drive split 9/1Gb C/D with 320 MB of RAM, 850 Celerion processor. XP fine for Browsing EM etc. Proviso Windows swap file tiny 2-50 MB on drive C and 600 MB fixed on D -The tiny 2-50MB Win swap file is necessary. Note the warning about XP install occupying both fitted Hard drives given the chance - The more RAM the better.
(PS Copy your vital files don't backup)
More info please.
CAT III
Yes I have a Dell 1310 Laptop Running XP Pro and the drive partion seems strange. 3Gb Ram 160 Gb HDD.
The Dell works well but its a modern M/C. In addition my ancient Compaq 1200 Lap top - A 10 GB drive split 9/1Gb C/D with 320 MB of RAM, 850 Celerion processor. XP fine for Browsing EM etc. Proviso Windows swap file tiny 2-50 MB on drive C and 600 MB fixed on D -The tiny 2-50MB Win swap file is necessary. Note the warning about XP install occupying both fitted Hard drives given the chance - The more RAM the better.
(PS Copy your vital files don't backup)
More info please.
CAT III
Last edited by Guest 112233; 26th Jan 2009 at 18:19. Reason: Extra Detail
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Witnesham, Suffolk
Age: 80
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two drives labelled D sounds odd indeed. Where are you seeing that? Is that what the machine is calling them, or is that labels you gave them when you set it up?
You'll be hard pressed now to find XP for sale, unless you already have it.
If you're planning to plug in an Ipod and have a decent digital camera, my inclination would be to keep the old machine as a fileserver (for the time being) and buy a new, modern one with all the kit for the Ipod etc. You may have to put up with Vista for the time being, but Windows 7 is moving along fast (I'm running it now, and it's excellent).
You'll be hard pressed now to find XP for sale, unless you already have it.
If you're planning to plug in an Ipod and have a decent digital camera, my inclination would be to keep the old machine as a fileserver (for the time being) and buy a new, modern one with all the kit for the Ipod etc. You may have to put up with Vista for the time being, but Windows 7 is moving along fast (I'm running it now, and it's excellent).
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: England
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Concur with the comments by Keef regarding Windows 7. It looks as though MS might just have pushed the right buttons for once because it certainly does the business - and quickly!
HWB
HWB
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: U.K.
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
eBay still seems to have plenty of original XP discs available. I bought a Dell one through them a little while ago based on the assurance that it had a unique serial number and would load onto any computer and validate. I'll be trying to install it on my new homebuild next week - I've just heard that my supplier has received delivery of the bits so I will report back if I have any difficulty. I have already used the disc to install XP on another laptop which needed a re-install. In this instance I used the licence number of the computer concerned and had to use the telephone validation system, but this worked without problems. I never once received any screen saying something like "This is not a Dell P.C. thus this re-installation cannot continue with this disc." When the job was done, I found a couple of files which seemed to refer to a Dell installation: they didn't appear to do anything so I just deleted them.
P.P.
P.P.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: bhx
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi chaps,
When I use windows explorer disk D shows as 149GB capacity with 24Gb used. When I go to computer management, storage, disk management the disk 0 is disk C, is the primary partition and its type is basic. disk 1 is disk D, it is a simple volume with the type as dynamic - I'm thinking thats why it shows as 2 sections, with 1 roughly the same size as the used part of the disk. Seems to work ok though! Wish I knew what I was talking about.
I have a cd for XP pro but it is only for a clean install and anyway I'd like the feel of a new pc without spending the money, even if it only lasts a few weeks, lol.
I'm about to take a look in the case and make sure I can repair/replace the psu (fan) without too much agro.
Then I'm going to check I can partition the newer HDD but still disable the other partitions on the BIOS during installation.
Do a final check that everythings backed up then a new partion on the newer drive - to receive the xp install. Then swap the hardware in the box to change the primary and start loading the disks. Easy peasy. Anyone see any pitfalls?
If all goes well I may invest in a new HDD as back up and convert the older HDD to an external drive and maybe add another GB of RAM. Fingers crossed next big change will then be a couple of years away and Win7 will be all sorted ready for me.
When I use windows explorer disk D shows as 149GB capacity with 24Gb used. When I go to computer management, storage, disk management the disk 0 is disk C, is the primary partition and its type is basic. disk 1 is disk D, it is a simple volume with the type as dynamic - I'm thinking thats why it shows as 2 sections, with 1 roughly the same size as the used part of the disk. Seems to work ok though! Wish I knew what I was talking about.
I have a cd for XP pro but it is only for a clean install and anyway I'd like the feel of a new pc without spending the money, even if it only lasts a few weeks, lol.
I'm about to take a look in the case and make sure I can repair/replace the psu (fan) without too much agro.
Then I'm going to check I can partition the newer HDD but still disable the other partitions on the BIOS during installation.
Do a final check that everythings backed up then a new partion on the newer drive - to receive the xp install. Then swap the hardware in the box to change the primary and start loading the disks. Easy peasy. Anyone see any pitfalls?
If all goes well I may invest in a new HDD as back up and convert the older HDD to an external drive and maybe add another GB of RAM. Fingers crossed next big change will then be a couple of years away and Win7 will be all sorted ready for me.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: bhx
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay okay, no laughing....
A dynamic volume whatsit is not partitionable is it....and converting it to basic means I loose all off there, so I've spent all day finding places to store all the data from that drive. What a pain. Now I'm ready to crack on
A dynamic volume whatsit is not partitionable is it....and converting it to basic means I loose all off there, so I've spent all day finding places to store all the data from that drive. What a pain. Now I'm ready to crack on
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: is everything
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dynamic volumes in Windows: stand back people, the guy's going to be spitting tooth enamel before the day's out. GE rightly notes that backups are really, really important during the conversion process. 
Upto The Buffers
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Leeds/Bradford
Age: 48
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yuck.. dynamic volumes. Just for future reference, there's a quick and dirty way to convert them back to basic volumes without losing data, here.
