How to reinstall a Windows XP Pro OEM with only the I386 folder?

[AngelOfDeath]

I have just bought my Toshiba Tecra A5 model and in so many ways it rocks. But I don
t like the feature with a ghost/image that I have to use each time I wants to reinstall my OS. And I don't like all the software that comes with it.

Toshiba have placed the I386 folder on the C-drive and I have my licens key for my Windows XP Pro OEM version on the back of my laptop.

Is there any way that I can reinstall my OS with that?

 

[Brazen]

does the I386 folder contain a "winnt.exe" file? If so, and it is a complete I386 folder, then you may be able to do this:

Burn the I386 folder to a CD. Get a boot disk with CD-ROM support (either a Win9x startup floppy or Google around and you can find boot disk images). Boot to the floppy and execute the Winnt.exe from the I386 folder on the CD.

 

[AngelOfDeath]

Should I worrie about my serial being an OEM version?

My Toshiba doesnt have a floppydrive and I have only NTFS anyway around that problem?

 

[AngelOfDeath]

Originally posted by: Brazen
does the I386 folder contain a "winnt.exe" file? If so, and it is a complete I386 folder, then you may be able to do this:

Burn the I386 folder to a CD. Get a boot disk with CD-ROM support (either a Win9x startup floppy or Google around and you can find boot disk images). Boot to the floppy and execute the Winnt.exe from the I386 folder on the CD.

And yes it does contain a winnt.exe

How do I know if it is complete or incomplete?

 

[RebateMonger]

I can give you a "brute force" way of testing the contents of the I386 folder:

1) Create the bootable CD as mentioned.
2) Download the free trial of Microsoft Virtual PC 2004.
3) Install Virtual PC on your laptop (or on another XP computer).
4) Create a new Virtual machine and have it boot to your new bootable CD.
5) Install Windows XP in the Virtual Machine.
6) See what you get. You SHOULD be able to use your OEM key number during the install, even though you'll be installing to a Virtual PC that WON'T look like a Toshiba computer to Windows XP. There'll be no need to Activate XP to do this test.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: AngelOfDeath

Originally posted by: Brazen
does the I386 folder contain a "winnt.exe" file? If so, and it is a complete I386 folder, then you may be able to do this:

Burn the I386 folder to a CD. Get a boot disk with CD-ROM support (either a Win9x startup floppy or Google around and you can find boot disk images). Boot to the floppy and execute the Winnt.exe from the I386 folder on the CD.

And yes it does contain a winnt.exe

How do I know if it is complete or incomplete?

Use NLITE (nliteos.org) to build a bootable CD (with your key imbedded in it, if you like) and you'll have a bootable, working OS install. NLITE is usually pretty good about checking that the right files are in the right places and that you have all that you need.

 

[Jiggz]

You might want to check this Article

Although it is designed for a usb drive it can also be burned on a CD to do the same thing.

 

[dclive]

That's Bart's PE, though. OP wants a way to install the OS, using the i386 folder on the HDD as the source media. nlite is a wonderful way to do that easily and simply.

 

[Aarondeep]

Originally posted by: dclive
That's Bart's PE, though. OP wants a way to install the OS, using the i386 folder on the HDD as the source media. nlite is a wonderful way to do that easily and simply.

Here is a fixed link
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