RIP XP

[Dino]

Is it just me who wants to know what question Graham C is too polite to ask?

He is too polite to ask if the cd is a ripped off copy or with the serials a genuine disc.

[titaniumbean]

next steps are


1) get an external hard drive big enough to back up your stuff on (can serve as backup medium afterwards too)
2) save all important info/documents/pictures/stars notes etc etc
3) go to youtube, watch a video titled something like 'how to install XP'
4) insert cd1 to install OS, follow same steps as youtube video
5) insert cd2 to install drivers
6) put files/pictures etc back on computer
7) post back here saying how amazing we are

What about the code that Graham was on about?

you have 30 days from installing to check that you got it all done right, at any point in those 30 days you can enter the code to validate your copy of windows via the internets.

[RED-DOG]

next steps are


1) get an external hard drive big enough to back up your stuff on (can serve as backup medium afterwards too)
2) save all important info/documents/pictures/stars notes etc etc
3) go to youtube, watch a video titled something like 'how to install XP'
4) insert cd1 to install OS, follow same steps as youtube video
5) insert cd2 to install drivers
6) put files/pictures etc back on computer
7) post back here saying how amazing we are

What about the code that Graham was on about?

you have 30 days from installing to check that you got it all done right, at any point in those 30 days you can enter the code to validate your copy of windows via the internets.

So is that the code that's printed on the back of the DVD envelope?

[Graham C]

I was just going to ask why you asked if the Works disc contained Vista when there's a disc clearly labelled as Vista

The code is the serial number for Windows, you'll need one, as mentioned, you have 30 days to type it in but you may get reminders about it every day until you do.

[RED-DOG]

I was just going to ask why you asked if the Works disc contained Vista when there's a disc clearly labelled as Vista

The code is the serial number for Windows, you'll need one, as mentioned, you have 30 days to type it in but you may get reminders about it every day until you do.

Lol. I hadn't found that one at that point.


Where do I get the code from?

[Graham C]

Hopefully the number in the middle will be the product key, but they are usually labelled as such I think. Also, I don't think it's right format but I could be wrong on that.  I thought they normally were in blocks of 5 characters.

[Graham C]

Don't do anything before you back up everything.

[RED-DOG]

Hopefully the number in the middle will be the product key, but they are usually labelled as such I think. Also, I don't think it's right format but I could be wrong on that.  I thought they normally were in blocks of 5 characters.

The blue writing on the back of the packet seems to suggest that the product code should be on a sticker on the computer.

I have a shiny patch where the sticker used to be.....

[RED-DOG]

Don't do anything before you back up everything.

I can only back up photographs (Which I have anyway) and documents.

Is there anything else?

[Graham C]

Don't do anything before you back up everything.

I can only back up photographs (Which I have anyway) and documents.

Is there anything else?

Any video files
Programs that you have installed - make a note of what they are
Make sure you know what any passwords are
Internet shortcuts if required
All personal documents
Music files
Emails if required

You'll need a product key, probably.

[titaniumbean]

Hopefully the number in the middle will be the product key, but they are usually labelled as such I think. Also, I don't think it's right format but I could be wrong on that.  I thought they normally were in blocks of 5 characters.

The blue writing on the back of the packet seems to suggest that the product code should be on a sticker on the computer.

I have a shiny patch where the sticker used to be.....

It's fine. You can download

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/downloads/KeyFinderInstaller.exe


and it will retrieve the code from inside the registry then you write it down and keep it safe (give it to mrs red)

Don't do anything before you back up everything.

I can only back up photographs (Which I have anyway) and documents.

Is there anything else?

Photos, documents, music?/pokerstars notes (this is always a fun one when you lose them if that matters to you).

[Longines]

If your laptop came with XP installed from Dell then it might not have come with a Vista licence key even if it did come with the install DVD.

Licence keys appear to be £30 on eBay.

[titaniumbean]

you can just take a screenshot of your programs and features list if you want to take a backup of what programs you had to reinstall on your new iteration.

[RED-DOG]

Don't do anything before you back up everything.

I can only back up photographs (Which I have anyway) and documents.

Is there anything else?

Any video files
Programs that you have installed - make a note of what they are
Make sure you know what any passwords are
Internet shortcuts if required
All personal documents
Music files
Emails if required

You'll need a product key, probably.

Can't understand why I don't have a product key. Thinking about it I don't remember ever seeing a sticker of the computer.

That said, I can buy a new copy of vista for ~ £20 and Windows 7 for ~ £45.

[tikay]

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/still-windows-xp-computer-125734139.html#EDTLwo3