How to Clean Up XP Without Install CD?

[johnsonbrewer]

I have an older HP Pavillion that came with XP SP1 installed, but without backup CD for re-installation. There is a recovery partition ( D: ) however the partition became corrupted somehow and it won't let me make recovery CD's for a fresh install. This is an inherited system with a legit key, but the hard drive was eaten alive by viruses, trojans, adware, etc., so I feel there is a need to do a fresh install sometime in the near future. I don't see any way of doing this, is there something I am missing? It is out of warranty and HP no longer supplies ( sells ) recovery cd's, but they would have all the adware crap on it anyway.

Second question. I want to put the OS onto a new SATA raptor. I can ghost the old PATA C: drive, and then delete most of the extra stuff on the new raptor. But XP is not on a partition by itself now and I would like to place it onto its own partition on the raptor. Is this possible with what I have now? I feel it may not be possible.

What are my options? And if I have to buy XP again can I buy an Upgrade, install it to its own partition on the raptor, then delete (reformat) for good the old C: drive without worries down the road? Or would I have to buy an OEM and just start the slate clean?

Thanks in advance

 

[JustaGeek]

Yes, you can order the Recovery CD's from HP. Here is the order page for my Pavilion a250n, so you can do it for your computer, too (I assume...).

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...&dlc=en&product=326411

Alternatively, you can borrow an OEM copy of XP Home and do a Repair Install. If you decide to do full install, you will lose all the HP pre-loaded programs (unless you don't care).

If all else fails, you can go to Newegg and buy it for $89.99 (I am not sure if you won't need a receipt for RAM, CPU and MB though...)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16832116056

Good luck!

EDIT: Fixed HP link

 

[johnsonbrewer]

I've decided to just ghost the OS drive onto the new raptor and then clean up the other programs as best I can. If XP falls apart down the road, I'll install a new XP.

My only hesitation to doing this is the nagging feeling I have that the old OS hd was riddled with viruses and malware at one point. I've cleaned it up pretty good with AVG, but not sure about all the registries, etc. Just want the raptor to be able to do its thing and not be hindered speed-wise with a patched-up XP. However, I'm not getting any errors on startup or otherwise so maybe I'm being too paranoid.

I do have two other computers with XP on them with their own keys, so does that open up any options for me since I have this third computer with XP and its own key?

 

[JustaGeek]

I don't think I understand your question correctly.

What possibilities with other computers...?

1 key = 1 computer - that's about it.

The key is not going to clean up the messy installation...

 

[johnsonbrewer]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
I don't think I understand your question correctly.

What possibilities with other computers...?

1 key = 1 computer - that's about it.

The key is not going to clean up the messy installation...

I have 3 computers with 3 legit XP keys. 2 computers work fine and I have those discs. 3rd computer "may" have XP corrupted but I have no re-install disc, only a 3rd legit key. Any way to use another disc to reload a fresh XP but use the 3rd legit key?

 

[JustaGeek]

I would say - no.

Unless the other computers are the same.

The OEM Repair Discs have all the drivers and software pre-loaded. If they don't recognize the hardware, the installation will fail.

Get a copy of XP Home OEM and have all the drivers ready.

Or order it from HP - why isn't that an option...? It's only 15 - 20 bucks, from what I've heard...

 

[johnsonbrewer]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
I would say - no.

Unless the other computers are the same.

The OEM Repair Discs have all the drivers and software pre-loaded. If they don't recognize the hardware, the installation will fail.

Get a copy of XP Home OEM and have all the drivers ready.

Or order it from HP - why isn't that an option...? It's only 15 - 20 bucks, from what I've heard...

I don't think an OEM HP repair disc will work even though they are available. I flashed my HP mobo ( P4SD-LA ) to its ASUS real-world identity, P4G800-V, so it now boots as an ASUS computer. So with shipping I'm looking at ~$25 and I don't think it will work. And the pre-loaded software had waaaay too much extra crap on it.

The activation keys are encoded into each different OS disc then? Didn't know if it was possible to install XP from one of the other discs and then enter the legit 3rd key at the prompt. I would still end up using my 3 different keys on 3 separate computers.

 

[JustaGeek]

No, the activation keys are not encoded into the discs.

I would strongly recommend getting the XP Home OEM disc, and install it all from scratch.

 

[John]

Q:

Originally posted by: johnsonbrewer
3rd computer "may" have XP corrupted but I have no re-install disc, only a 3rd legit key. Any way to use another disc to reload a fresh XP but use the 3rd legit key?

A:

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Alternatively, you can borrow an OEM copy of XP Home and do a Repair Install. If you decide to do full install, you will lose all the HP pre-loaded programs (unless you don't care).

Sound advice.

 

[johnsonbrewer]

Originally posted by: John
Q:

Originally posted by: johnsonbrewer
3rd computer "may" have XP corrupted but I have no re-install disc, only a 3rd legit key. Any way to use another disc to reload a fresh XP but use the 3rd legit key?

A:

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Alternatively, you can borrow an OEM copy of XP Home and do a Repair Install. If you decide to do full install, you will lose all the HP pre-loaded programs (unless you don't care).

Sound advice.

I have XP Home "Upgrade" discs, not OEM discs -- would that matter?

I prefer to do a full, fresh install WITHOUT all the pre-loaded stuff. Just XP, clean. And on a separate partition to keep it tidy. Just trying to find out if I can do this with the toys I already have. Note-I have already reactivated this 3rd computer and was given a new key over the phone. This was after I flashed the BIOS on the mobo, but before me trying to fresh install. 3rd key is legit, just need to know if I can use what I already have to do this task.

Thanks

 

[johnsonbrewer]

I've decided to pick up Vista and dual boot with XP. Hoo boy.