Reformatting hard drive

[Gusty987]

I am going to re-format my 3-yr. old HP Pavilion 510c. I have a Windows XP Home disk that I bought a few months ago for my new PC, which leads me to my first question:

Can I use the CD-key that came with this HP 3 years ago with my new Windows XP disk?

This computer has a "Trigem Lomita" motherboard and I think I would need to get drivers for the mobo, sound, ethernet, etc. but I can't find Trigem on the web, they may have gone belly-up as far as I know.

So do I need these drivers and where can I get them?

What other things do I need to be aware of?

 

[Paulson]

No, you can't use the cd-key that came with the hp 3 years ago... you have to buy another copy of windows xp...

second, you can get the drivers from HP's website...

 

[thorin]

Does your 3 year old system have XP on it currently? If not then no obviously the product key isn't going to work (since it's for Millenium or 98SE)

Thorin

 

[Gusty987]

Yes my old computer has XP. The 3 yr old CD key is on a sticker on the side of the computer. So that key won't work with my new XP CD?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Yes my old computer has XP. The 3 yr old CD key is on a sticker on the side of the computer. So that key won't work with my new XP CD?

It should work, as long as it was a 'full' version of WinXP (and not some custom non-reinstallable OEM license). Give it a shot; worst case is you punch in the serial and it doesn't work.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Gusty987
I am going to re-format my 3-yr. old HP Pavilion 510c. I have a Windows XP Home disk that I bought a few months ago for my new PC, which leads me to my first question:

Can I use the CD-key that came with this HP 3 years ago with my new Windows XP disk?

This computer has a "Trigem Lomita" motherboard and I think I would need to get drivers for the mobo, sound, ethernet, etc. but I can't find Trigem on the web, they may have gone belly-up as far as I know.

So do I need these drivers and where can I get them?

What other things do I need to be aware of?

My father recently went through this with his HP. He contacted HP and for like $10 they sent him reconfiguration disk. This comes with WinXP and all the drivers for the mobo etc.

Give 'em a call and see if you can get one.

Fern

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Yes my old computer has XP. The 3 yr old CD key is on a sticker on the side of the computer. So that key won't work with my new XP CD?

Well if it's actually a XP key then yes it'll work but 3 years ago would put it right in line with Millenium or 98SE, maybe you were a lucky early adopter.

Thorin

 

[Gusty987]

Thanks everyone. It is actually about 2.5 yrs. old (bought in May '02), I just rounded up. Fern, is there a link to something about that at HP website? Paulson, do you have a link to where I can get the drivers?

 

[Gusty987]

WTF, I just did it and it did nothing. I put in the CD, and the menu came up, and I clicked new installation. I did the entire installation process, but all it did was add another user account! Everything is still on my hard drive from before! How do I wipe my HD?

 

[botman]

you'll want to run fdisk or cfdisk something like that...i can't remember any windows syntax. The regular xp installation cd should give you an option to complete erase any partitions you have. It's my assumption that you have an hp OEM xp cd, which will only do things like add users and such. I would contact hp to get a legitimate cd.

 

[swatoke]

Yes you should be able to delete the partition with your Windows XP CD. Boot your computer, go into the BIOS. Most computers you tap on the delete key to enter setup, but since yours is a HP it is probably different. Your computer should tell you what key to hit to enter setup when you first turn it on. Go into the BIOS change the boot sequence first device to CD-ROM drive, save changes then reboot with your Windows XP disk in the drive. When you boot you should get a message to hit any key to boot from CD. Windows setup should start and it should give you an option to delete partition. Delete the partition then create a new partition and format. Now new installation should work.

 

[Gusty987]

Thanks swatoke, working so far. Although I did not create a new partition....

 

[Gusty987]

Worked beautifully, thanks everyone.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Thanks everyone. It is actually about 2.5 yrs. old (bought in May '02), I just rounded up. Fern, is there a link to something about that at HP website? Paulson, do you have a link to where I can get the drivers?

I'm pretty sure my father just called 'em on the phone. IIRC, he complained about NOT getting a reconfiguration disk with his original purchase. Basically, they just charged him for the shipping and sent one out.

Fern