Repair/Re-Install Windows XP

[Merryterry]

My Packard Bell Desktop came with XP installed and the re-install XP
on a separate section of the hard drive. Unfortunatly the whole hard
drive failed some time ago. (3+years) A new HD was installed by PC
World, Tech Guys, and they installed XP from their own resources.

I now dont have a install disc of HP and I am feeling a bit out on a
limb.

All my files, (except the program) are backed up on a removable hard
drive.

Is there any simple easy way of making a copy of the XP program onto a
CD?

Merryterry

[R.Wieser]

> Is there any simple easy way of making a copy of the
> XP program onto a CD?

There is no "The XP program". There are a *lot* of files (programs, data
files, drivers, etc) that together make up the OS. Just take a look at the
C:\Windows folder. All of that (including subfolders) is part of (but not
all of !) the XP OS. Quite some stuff needs to go thru a process called
"installing" to get configured right (the configuration-data is than stored
in the Registry).

In short: No, you can't just copy the OS to a CD and expect it to work.

One possibility be to contact HP and see what they can do for you.

Another oney would be to check if anyone you know (or do not know :-) ) has
"moved on" to Vista, Win7 or even Win8 and does not use his copy of XP
anymore (assuming that your country does not prohibit any such transferrance
of software ofcourse).

Hope that helps,
Rudy Wieser






Merryterry <ter...@fsmail.net> schreef in berichtnieuws
afa2f155-b330-4425...@bs5g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Merryterry" <ter...@fsmail.net>

You can get a XP installer from Packard Bell. Either free or just the cost
of media and shipping.

--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

[John]

If by 'your files are backed up' you mean just data files then you need
to make an 'image' of your entire system to that same external drive.
Should your internal hard drive fail again you have the image which can
be 'restored' to a replacement internal drive. Keep the image up to date
as often as you feel you wouldn't want to loose recent files. Also the
replacement internal drive should be as large as or larger than the
original failed drive.

An image is a copy of your operating system (Windows) along with
installed applications, data, device drivers and etc. - In short
everything you need to protect against a failed internal drive.

Here is one free and well recommended offering for home use:

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

There are others, just Google 'free image software for windows'. There
is also a paid version that of course does a lot more but for what you
fear the freebie will do.

Don't forget to burn the CD or DVD to boot your computer in order to
restore an image, some even allow the use of a USB stick if your comp
can boot from USB. With a failed or new (but blank) internal drive you
need an auxiliary method of booting your computer to do the 'restore'.
The imaging software you choose should have ample instructions on
exactly what is needed to guard against that OOPS! kind of day ;)

HTH
John