Old School Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 Hi everyone. I just built my system this past weekend with the parts listed in my signature. Overall, it was a pretty smooth build without any major hitches. I will be removing the stock heatsink/fan once I get the backplate for the Swiftech MCX7400-V that I bought. I used Arctic Silver Ceramique but have been advised that rubbing alcohol and a cotton cloth would remove the Ceramique from the CPU heatspreader. The real issue is this: I installed what has turned out to be an unlicensed copy of Windows XP Pro that I had been running on a previous system for almost three years. Apparently, Microsoft can detect this as it will not allow me to download Service Pack 1 which I need in order to run some new games. So, I purchased a licensed copy of Windows XP Pro from Newegg. My question is how do I completely uninstall the old Windows XP from my hard drive and reinstall the new copy? Do I just keep the new CD in the drive, reboot and do a clean install? Do I have to re-format the hard drive? Thanks in advance for the help. -OS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hahablahtoyou Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 i would say: boot from disk....start loading windows as you did the first time and when you reach the partition screen go ahead and delete the partition and then you can choose the now unpartitioned space for your new windows os and sorry you will have to format the drive again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hahablahtoyou Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 [EDIT] im not a pro someone else might know a way to actually do a clean install without having to re format which would be great if you dont want to lose any saved information Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGone Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 I would suggest formatting the drive at some point. How "hahablahtoyou" described the situation is about as good as any I suppose. RGone... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old School Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 Thanks, fellers. I don't mind doing a complete re-format since I hardly put anything on the hard drive anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztech1 Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 Using the "upgrade" option in Windows - starting the install in Windows will effectivly remove or overwrite all traces of the bootleg install. Use this option if you don't want to re-install apps and settings. It never hurts though to start with a clean install on a formated drive. Don't use the "quick" format option however. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip04 Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 You shouldn't need to reinstall XP at all, you can just change the key to your legal 1. As long as both are XP pro it shouldn't be a problem . That will be easier if you've already installed alot of other proggys, and don't want to do all that again. Do a google on how to change it. Then you can dl your service packs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old School Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 Skip, very interesting advice. I found this link and think it is what you're suggesting: http://labmice.techtarget.com/windowsxp/ar...es/changeID.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bldegle2 Posted January 4, 2005 Posted January 4, 2005 said. with instructions, it might take all of 5 minutes, and you are good to go. baldy:D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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