Doing a fresh install off of a questionable install disk

[Nvidiaguy07]

So i took my friends computer home to fix thinking he had either windows xp home or pro and id just be able to use my CD to do the fix. Well i looked on the back and it has xp media center 2005 installed.

I'm downloading a version that is said to be OEM and by the sound of the comments is, and is virus free. But im worried there could be a virus buried somewhere in it that isnt detectable.

If i run an Antivir full scan after the install can i conclude that it is clean? or should i still be worried.

Then i also am wondering whether the key i have is retail or OEM. Ive read somewhere that xp media center was only sold as OEM, but im still worried the key wont work.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[pcgeek11]

So i took my friends computer home to fix thinking he had either windows xp home or pro and id just be able to use my CD to do the fix. Well i looked on the back and it has xp media center 2005 installed.

I'm downloading a version that is said to be OEM and by the sound of the comments is, and is virus free. But im worried there could be a virus buried somewhere in it that isnt detectable.

If i run an Antivir full scan after the install can i conclude that it is clean? or should i still be worried.

Then i also am wondering whether the key i have is retail or OEM. Ive read somewhere that xp media center was only sold as OEM, but im still worried the key wont work.

Let me know what you guys think.

Media Center only came as OEM .... all Media Center keys are OEM.

pcgeek11

 

[whiteonline]

Go ahead and install it (safest would be into a virtual machine first so you dont nuke his existing install); keep it off the network. After you install, download, boot and burn one of these rescue disks and run a virus scan.

 

[Blazer]

without knowing the true MD5 chksum to compare to you are taking a big chance, its not just a virus issue, , backdoor programs, rootkits, spyware/hackware, any number of unknown applications with bad affects could be hidden inside, even hidden to the os it self.

 

[whiteonline]

Cd1
sha1: 263e59a41559bdb988304f033ea8116efc500456

cd2
sha1: 4efc488f9ed6b746cec11e8b1cdc5241c50fa490

 

[lxskllr]

I've never had issues with downloaded O/Ss. Stay away from cracked copies, read the comments, and you should be alright. I had to do the same thing with a Media Center edition I was reinstalling for a friend. It worked fine, and no hidden surprises.

 

[Modelworks]

If it has no MD5 or SHA1 that can be compared to an official version then I would not use it. There are too many ways to tamper with an OS and have it appear fine.


Had to find the txt file with the sums I saved long ago
Correct values are:
File Name: en_winxp_mce_2005_cd1.iso
Date Posted (UTC): 9/8/2004 5:48:00 PM
SHA1: 263E59A41559BDB988304F033EA8116EFC500456

File Name: en_winxp_mce_2005_cd2.iso
Date Posted (UTC): 9/8/2004 5:48:00 PM
SHA1: 4EFC488F9ED6B746CEC11E8B1CDC5241C50FA490

So looks like you are good to go