Curse

plastichead · Mar 04, 2008, 02:05 AM // 02:05

I recently got a new computer but it didn't come with an OS. I had tried to use my old copy of xp home but it froze when it said "setup is starting windows" (this is before I can even pick a drive to format and stuff). ended up using my friends copy of xp pro but I can't activate it. I would really like to just use my copy. Any Thoughts, Ideas and/or Links?

I also installed the hard drive from my old machine i believe its an IDE drive (ribbon connector. i connected next to the where the cddrive is connected, it works so far)

To be more clear on my intentions, i want to install my legit copy of xp home on my IDE drive (D: at present) in case i can't get into the xp pro when activation time runs out.

my system:

Cpu: 2.67 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad Q6700
Board: ASUS P5N-E SLI
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT (x2)

or a link to the exact computer i purchased :
http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Quad-Core-...QQcmdZViewItem

eggrolls · Mar 04, 2008, 05:53 AM // 05:53

Have you tried borrowing a XP Home CD from someone? You can try burning a copy of your XP Home CD and installing with the burned copy, but that may not work if your CD is screwed up.

Riot Narita · Mar 04, 2008, 08:36 AM // 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggrolls

Have you tried borrowing a XP Home CD from someone? You can try burning a copy of your XP Home CD and installing with the burned copy, but that may not work if your CD is screwed up.

What he said. Any XP Home disk should do, then use your own key to activate. However, if you have an OEM version of XP Home, chances are it's tied to your old PC and won't activate on your new one.

Bront · Mar 04, 2008, 09:08 AM // 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hissy

What he said. Any XP Home disk should do.

Not true

It needs to be the same type (OEM of Full, and initial SP install) in order for the key to work.

However, you should be able to install an OEM version on a new PC, but it won't necessarily allow you to register the OS (which means you have 30 days till it dies). However, you can always try calling Microsoft, sometimes they'll authenticate it anyway.

Beyond that, try using F8 to boot into safe mode (if you can), sometimes that can help. I believe you can also install drivers during the initial install, but I don't remember how (I haven't installed an OS in 2 years).

Aera · Mar 04, 2008, 11:11 AM // 11:11

XP Home doesn't support Quad Core processors I believe. Try to get XP Pro or better even, Vista.

eggrolls · Mar 04, 2008, 04:59 PM // 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aera

XP Home doesn't support Quad Core processors I believe. Try to get XP Pro or better even, Vista.

Nope. I'm using XP Home with a quad core right now

Tachyon · Mar 04, 2008, 05:35 PM // 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aera

XP Home doesn't support Quad Core processors I believe. Try to get XP Pro or better even, Vista.

Of course it does! It just doesn't support multi-CPU based systems.

The Way Out · Mar 04, 2008, 06:12 PM // 18:12

Is the XP disk you are using from a manufacturer or from Microsoft?

If it is from Dell or HP it will not work. If it is from Microsoft, you should be able to install everything correctly. I would still get a copy of XP Pro over Home. You are losing out on a lot with Home.

Aera · Mar 04, 2008, 06:23 PM // 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggrolls

Nope. I'm using XP Home with a quad core right now

In that case, your harddrive may be damaged. I've had the same, it'd just stop installing, tried it on another harddrive and it worked. Try that.

plastichead · Mar 05, 2008, 01:53 AM // 01:53

My disc was store bought, I have the folder and everything.

Asking around about the Quad Core issue too.

According to a techsupportforum guy, my disc is XP Home SP1 and SP1 doesn't recognize SATA harddrives without additional drivers being added during windows install. SP2 has the drivers. Just have to locate a copy of XP Home SP2 and should be good to go.

Stockholm · Mar 05, 2008, 01:57 AM // 01:57

Or get the Sata drivers and install them when asked for external drivers. (put them on a disket)

eggrolls · Mar 05, 2008, 02:33 AM // 02:33

Or slipstream it using nLite...

http://www.nliteos.com/

Basically you need your original CD, SP2 downloaded from Microsoft's website, a blank CD, and a burner. The files on your original CD are copied to some folder on your computer, nLite will add the SP2 files to to the CD and make a bootable image, and then you burn the image onto a blank CD. There's probably a more comprehensive guide on their website or on Google.

Bluefeather · Mar 05, 2008, 03:25 AM // 03:25

So, you failed to install Windows XP Home. You successfully installed Windows XP Pro but your CD Key is limited (to 30 days?).

I think we are in the same situation with minor difference.

I have an old pc (4 years i think) and I am using Windows XP Pro. Recently, I bought a new PC with Windows XP Pro SP 2 installer. So, I installed it. After installing, the computer told me that my Windows XP Pro SP 2 (one that came with the new computer, Gold color) is only limited to 30 days.

So, what I did is i reinstalled Windows XP Pro SP 2 (one that came with the new computer) and used my OLD CD-KEY (my old Windows XP Pro without SP 2). The CD was accepted, I verified with MS for Genuine Software check, it passed.

So, maybe you can install windows xp pro and use windows xp home key instead.

im not sure if it will work with you.

eggrolls · Mar 05, 2008, 05:19 AM // 05:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluefeather

So, maybe you can install windows xp pro and use windows xp home key instead.

That just simply won't work

Tarun · Mar 05, 2008, 05:38 AM // 05:38

nLite loves to strip out things (services, needed files, etc) and totally screw up installations. It's more trouble and headaches than it's worth.

For plasticheads needs, all he (or she) really needs it to download Service Pack 2 and then use Autostreamer and there is a guide for how to do it all.

plastichead · Mar 05, 2008, 05:49 AM // 05:49

Thanks for all the help! I got a copy of XP home with SP2 so, I will be installing it soon.

Tarun · Mar 05, 2008, 05:55 AM // 05:55

If you have any issues installing, post with the exact error so it can get resolved quickly.

Quaker · Mar 05, 2008, 05:20 PM // 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by plastichead

I recently got a new computer but it didn't come with an OS. I had tried to use my old copy of xp home but it froze when it said "setup is starting windows" (this is before I can even pick a drive to format and stuff). ended up using my friends copy of xp pro but I can't activate it. I would really like to just use my copy. Any Thoughts, Ideas and/or Links?

Since Xp pro works, it's not a problem with you hardware (but there could be incompatibilities). Have you tried installing Home, now that Pro works? Boot off the Home CD and tell it to do a new installation of XP Home right over the Pro.

Sometimes, these sort of installation problems can be overcome by clearing the CMOS data before you install. If you have a manual for the computer/motherboard, it should show you where the jumper is to do that.

Tarun · Mar 05, 2008, 09:53 PM // 21:53

Quaker, he's already stated what the issue was. He had SP1a on his CD and needed SP2 which has SATA driver support.