Install XP over OEM XP

[Lynne]

There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have Help,
but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply buy
a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
reformat, clean install?

Thanks.
Lynne

[Donald McDaniel]

Lynne wrote:
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne

Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP Home
retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of XP
Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
advisable).

Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home. You
would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing XP
Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
reinstall some of your application software (or repair their installations,
such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your existing
data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.

I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from the
former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all necessary
device drivers for your new OS.

However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
installation would be the best choice for you.


--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Donald McDaniel]

Lynne wrote:
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne

Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP Home
retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of XP
Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
advisable).

Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home. You
would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing XP
Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
reinstall some of your application software (or repair their installations,
such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your existing
data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.

I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from the
former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all necessary
device drivers for your new OS.

However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
installation would be the best choice for you.


--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Donald McDaniel]

Lynne wrote:
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne

Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP Home
retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of XP
Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
advisable).

Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home. You
would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing XP
Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
reinstall some of your application software (or repair their installations,
such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your existing
data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.

I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from the
former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all necessary
device drivers for your new OS.

However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
installation would be the best choice for you.


--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Donald McDaniel]

Lynne wrote:
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne

Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP Home
retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of XP
Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
advisable).

Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home. You
would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing XP
Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
reinstall some of your application software (or repair their installations,
such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your existing
data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.

I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from the
former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all necessary
device drivers for your new OS.

However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
installation would be the best choice for you.


--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Donald McDaniel]

Lynne wrote:
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne

Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP Home
retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of XP
Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
advisable).

Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home. You
would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing XP
Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
reinstall some of your application software (or repair their installations,
such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your existing
data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.

I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from the
former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all necessary
device drivers for your new OS.

However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
installation would be the best choice for you.


--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Mats Weckhorst]

On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 13:58:43 -0700, Lynne > wrote:

> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
> buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

You can install over your current OS with a Windows XP CD, yes.

[Lynne]

Well, guess I'll live with this until the 1 year service warranty expires,
then dig in and set things up my way. In the past, with Win98 SE, I've
reformatted and done fresh installations of OS and programs on an annual
basis. So, that's what I'll do with this. Thanks for the replies. Lynne

"Donald McDaniel" > wrote in message
...
> Lynne wrote:
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> > the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> > have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> > great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> > have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> > that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> > existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
>
> Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
> Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP
Home
> retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of
XP
> Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
> advisable).
>
> Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
> using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home.
You
> would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing
XP
> Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
> reinstall some of your application software (or repair their
installations,
> such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your
existing
> data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.
>
> I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
> Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from
the
> former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
> Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all
necessary
> device drivers for your new OS.
>
> However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
> willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
> installation would be the best choice for you.
>
>
> --
> Donald L McDaniel
> Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
> so that all may be informed.
> Remove the obvious to reply by email.
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>

[Donald McDaniel]

Lynne wrote:
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne

Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP Home
retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of XP
Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
advisable).

Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home. You
would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing XP
Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
reinstall some of your application software (or repair their installations,
such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your existing
data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.

I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from the
former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all necessary
device drivers for your new OS.

However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
installation would be the best choice for you.


--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Lynne]

Well, guess I'll live with this until the 1 year service warranty expires,
then dig in and set things up my way. In the past, with Win98 SE, I've
reformatted and done fresh installations of OS and programs on an annual
basis. So, that's what I'll do with this. Thanks for the replies. Lynne

"Donald McDaniel" > wrote in message
...
> Lynne wrote:
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> > the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> > have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> > great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> > have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> > that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> > existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
>
> Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
> Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP
Home
> retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of
XP
> Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
> advisable).
>
> Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
> using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home.
You
> would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing
XP
> Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
> reinstall some of your application software (or repair their
installations,
> such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your
existing
> data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.
>
> I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
> Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from
the
> former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
> Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all
necessary
> device drivers for your new OS.
>
> However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
> willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
> installation would be the best choice for you.
>
>
> --
> Donald L McDaniel
> Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
> so that all may be informed.
> Remove the obvious to reply by email.
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>

[Lynne]

Well, guess I'll live with this until the 1 year service warranty expires,
then dig in and set things up my way. In the past, with Win98 SE, I've
reformatted and done fresh installations of OS and programs on an annual
basis. So, that's what I'll do with this. Thanks for the replies. Lynne

"Donald McDaniel" > wrote in message
...
> Lynne wrote:
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> > the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> > have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> > great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> > have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> > that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> > existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
>
> Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
> Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP
Home
> retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of
XP
> Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
> advisable).
>
> Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
> using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home.
You
> would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing
XP
> Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
> reinstall some of your application software (or repair their
installations,
> such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your
existing
> data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.
>
> I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
> Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from
the
> former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
> Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all
necessary
> device drivers for your new OS.
>
> However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
> willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
> installation would be the best choice for you.
>
>
> --
> Donald L McDaniel
> Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
> so that all may be informed.
> Remove the obvious to reply by email.
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>

[Lynne]

Well, guess I'll live with this until the 1 year service warranty expires,
then dig in and set things up my way. In the past, with Win98 SE, I've
reformatted and done fresh installations of OS and programs on an annual
basis. So, that's what I'll do with this. Thanks for the replies. Lynne

"Donald McDaniel" > wrote in message
...
> Lynne wrote:
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> > the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> > have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> > great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> > have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> > that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> > existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
>
> Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
> Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP
Home
> retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of
XP
> Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
> advisable).
>
> Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
> using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home.
You
> would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing
XP
> Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
> reinstall some of your application software (or repair their
installations,
> such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your
existing
> data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.
>
> I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
> Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from
the
> former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
> Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all
necessary
> device drivers for your new OS.
>
> However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
> willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
> installation would be the best choice for you.
>
>
> --
> Donald L McDaniel
> Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
> so that all may be informed.
> Remove the obvious to reply by email.
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>

[Lynne]

Well, guess I'll live with this until the 1 year service warranty expires,
then dig in and set things up my way. In the past, with Win98 SE, I've
reformatted and done fresh installations of OS and programs on an annual
basis. So, that's what I'll do with this. Thanks for the replies. Lynne

"Donald McDaniel" > wrote in message
...
> Lynne wrote:
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> > the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> > have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> > great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> > have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> > that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> > existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
>
> Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
> Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP
Home
> retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of
XP
> Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
> advisable).
>
> Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
> using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home.
You
> would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing
XP
> Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
> reinstall some of your application software (or repair their
installations,
> such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your
existing
> data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.
>
> I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
> Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from
the
> former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
> Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all
necessary
> device drivers for your new OS.
>
> However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
> willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
> installation would be the best choice for you.
>
>
> --
> Donald L McDaniel
> Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
> so that all may be informed.
> Remove the obvious to reply by email.
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>

[Lynne]

Well, guess I'll live with this until the 1 year service warranty expires,
then dig in and set things up my way. In the past, with Win98 SE, I've
reformatted and done fresh installations of OS and programs on an annual
basis. So, that's what I'll do with this. Thanks for the replies. Lynne

"Donald McDaniel" > wrote in message
...
> Lynne wrote:
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> > the OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
> > have Help, but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that
> > great. And, should something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not
> > have anything other than mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs
> > that I burned. Can I simply buy a copy of XP and install it over the
> > existing OEM, or, would I have to reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
>
> Not necessarily. For instance, if your current version of XP OEM is
> Professional, you will not be able to downgrade to XP Home using an XP
Home
> retail CD. In that case, you would have to do a new "clean" install of
XP
> Home using an XP Home Retail CD(or a "FULL OEM" Home CD -- not necessarily
> advisable).
>
> Also, you would be unable to upgrade an existing version of XP Home OEM
> using an XP Home Retail CD. Only XP Professional can upgrade XP Home.
You
> would be able to do an in-place installation (Repair) (over your existing
XP
> Home OEM) using an XP Home Retail CD. This would probably require you to
> reinstall some of your application software (or repair their
installations,
> such as with Microsoft Office), although it shouldn't destroy your
existing
> data. I'm not sure, however, that it would replace Compaq's Help system.
>
> I personally advise against doing an upgrade or in-place installation.
> Clean installs are the best, since they do not carry over anything from
the
> former installation. More importantly, you would start fresh with a clean
> Registry. However, you must be prepared to obtain and provide all
necessary
> device drivers for your new OS.
>
> However, if you are not willing to back up your existing data, or not
> willing to lose it, an in-place installation over the top of your existing
> installation would be the best choice for you.
>
>
> --
> Donald L McDaniel
> Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
> so that all may be informed.
> Remove the obvious to reply by email.
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be installed
from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be installed
from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be installed
from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be installed
from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[Lynne]

There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system restore"
function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk set
that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they call
these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but the
only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for the
duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with my
own copy of the OS. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
installed
> from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
> Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
> help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
the
> > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> Help,
> > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
should
> > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
> buy
> > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system restore"
function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk set
that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they call
these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but the
only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for the
duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with my
own copy of the OS. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
installed
> from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
> Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
> help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
the
> > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> Help,
> > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
should
> > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
> buy
> > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
> >
> >
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be installed
from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[Lynne]

There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system restore"
function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk set
that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they call
these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but the
only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for the
duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with my
own copy of the OS. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
installed
> from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
> Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
> help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
the
> > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> Help,
> > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
should
> > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
> buy
> > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system restore"
function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk set
that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they call
these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but the
only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for the
duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with my
own copy of the OS. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
installed
> from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
> Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
> help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
the
> > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> Help,
> > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
should
> > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
> buy
> > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
> >
> >
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be installed
from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual os
cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
"thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
you plan).

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
> OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
restore"
> function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
> refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
set
> that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
call
> these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
> whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
the
> only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
> much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
the
> duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
my
> own copy of the OS. Lynne
>
> "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> installed
> > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
uninstall
> > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
native
> > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
deny.
> >
> > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the
> > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> > Help,
> > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> should
> > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
than
> > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
simply
> > buy
> > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > > reformat, clean install?
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > > Lynne
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system restore"
function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk set
that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they call
these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but the
only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for the
duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with my
own copy of the OS. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
installed
> from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
> Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
> help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
the
> > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> Help,
> > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
should
> > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
> buy
> > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
> >
> >
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual os
cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
"thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
you plan).

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
> OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
restore"
> function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
> refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
set
> that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
call
> these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
> whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
the
> only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
> much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
the
> duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
my
> own copy of the OS. Lynne
>
> "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> installed
> > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
uninstall
> > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
native
> > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
deny.
> >
> > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the
> > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> > Help,
> > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> should
> > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
than
> > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
simply
> > buy
> > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > > reformat, clean install?
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > > Lynne
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual os
cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
"thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
you plan).

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
> OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
restore"
> function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
> refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
set
> that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
call
> these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
> whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
the
> only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
> much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
the
> duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
my
> own copy of the OS. Lynne
>
> "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> installed
> > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
uninstall
> > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
native
> > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
deny.
> >
> > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the
> > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> > Help,
> > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> should
> > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
than
> > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
simply
> > buy
> > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > > reformat, clean install?
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > > Lynne
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual os
cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
"thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
you plan).

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
> OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
restore"
> function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
> refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
set
> that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
call
> these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
> whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
the
> only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
> much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
the
> duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
my
> own copy of the OS. Lynne
>
> "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> installed
> > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
uninstall
> > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
native
> > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
deny.
> >
> > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the
> > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> > Help,
> > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> should
> > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
than
> > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
simply
> > buy
> > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > > reformat, clean install?
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > > Lynne
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system restore"
function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk set
that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they call
these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but the
only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for the
duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with my
own copy of the OS. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
installed
> from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to uninstall
> Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's native
> help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or deny.
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
the
> > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> Help,
> > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
should
> > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
> buy
> > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > reformat, clean install?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Lynne
> >
> >
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual os
cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
"thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
you plan).

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
> OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
restore"
> function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
> refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
set
> that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
call
> these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
> whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
the
> only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
> much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
the
> duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
my
> own copy of the OS. Lynne
>
> "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> installed
> > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
uninstall
> > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
native
> > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
deny.
> >
> > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the
> > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> > Help,
> > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> should
> > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
than
> > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
simply
> > buy
> > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > > reformat, clean install?
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > > Lynne
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Jason Haynes]

Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual os
cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
"thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
you plan).

"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include the
> OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
restore"
> function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive. Compaq
> refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
set
> that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
call
> these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put the
> whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
the
> only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks so
> much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
the
> duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
my
> own copy of the OS. Lynne
>
> "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing. The
> > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> installed
> > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
uninstall
> > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
native
> > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
deny.
> >
> > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have
> the
> > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
> > Help,
> > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> should
> > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
than
> > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
simply
> > buy
> > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> > > reformat, clean install?
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > > Lynne
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

I've always had my systems built, but this was such a good deal that I
decided to go with it, knowing full well that here would be things I
wouldn't have chosen, were it up to me. Lack of OS disk was just part of the
"good deal." So far, however, I'm really glad I did it - got the computer
and monitor for under $500. So, I can live with it as it, but once the year
is up, I'll upgrade to my specifications, not Compaq's. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual
os
> cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
> main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
> perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
> "thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
> you plan).
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> > There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include
the
> > OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
> restore"
> > function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive.
Compaq
> > refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
> set
> > that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
> call
> > these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> > installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> > this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put
the
> > whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
> the
> > only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks
so
> > much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
> the
> > duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
> my
> > own copy of the OS. Lynne
> >
> > "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing.
The
> > > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> > installed
> > > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
> uninstall
> > > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
> native
> > > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
> deny.
> > >
> > > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I
have
> > the
> > > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
have
> > > Help,
> > > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> > should
> > > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
> than
> > > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
> simply
> > > buy
> > > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have
to
> > > > reformat, clean install?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > > > Lynne
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

I've always had my systems built, but this was such a good deal that I
decided to go with it, knowing full well that here would be things I
wouldn't have chosen, were it up to me. Lack of OS disk was just part of the
"good deal." So far, however, I'm really glad I did it - got the computer
and monitor for under $500. So, I can live with it as it, but once the year
is up, I'll upgrade to my specifications, not Compaq's. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual
os
> cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
> main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
> perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
> "thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
> you plan).
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> > There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include
the
> > OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
> restore"
> > function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive.
Compaq
> > refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
> set
> > that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
> call
> > these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> > installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> > this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put
the
> > whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
> the
> > only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks
so
> > much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
> the
> > duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
> my
> > own copy of the OS. Lynne
> >
> > "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing.
The
> > > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> > installed
> > > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
> uninstall
> > > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
> native
> > > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
> deny.
> > >
> > > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I
have
> > the
> > > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
have
> > > Help,
> > > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> > should
> > > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
> than
> > > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
> simply
> > > buy
> > > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have
to
> > > > reformat, clean install?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > > > Lynne
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

I've always had my systems built, but this was such a good deal that I
decided to go with it, knowing full well that here would be things I
wouldn't have chosen, were it up to me. Lack of OS disk was just part of the
"good deal." So far, however, I'm really glad I did it - got the computer
and monitor for under $500. So, I can live with it as it, but once the year
is up, I'll upgrade to my specifications, not Compaq's. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual
os
> cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
> main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
> perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
> "thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
> you plan).
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> > There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include
the
> > OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
> restore"
> > function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive.
Compaq
> > refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
> set
> > that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
> call
> > these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> > installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> > this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put
the
> > whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
> the
> > only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks
so
> > much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
> the
> > duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
> my
> > own copy of the OS. Lynne
> >
> > "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing.
The
> > > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> > installed
> > > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
> uninstall
> > > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
> native
> > > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
> deny.
> > >
> > > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I
have
> > the
> > > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
have
> > > Help,
> > > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> > should
> > > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
> than
> > > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
> simply
> > > buy
> > > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have
to
> > > > reformat, clean install?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > > > Lynne
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

I've always had my systems built, but this was such a good deal that I
decided to go with it, knowing full well that here would be things I
wouldn't have chosen, were it up to me. Lack of OS disk was just part of the
"good deal." So far, however, I'm really glad I did it - got the computer
and monitor for under $500. So, I can live with it as it, but once the year
is up, I'll upgrade to my specifications, not Compaq's. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual
os
> cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
> main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
> perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
> "thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
> you plan).
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> > There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include
the
> > OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
> restore"
> > function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive.
Compaq
> > refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
> set
> > that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
> call
> > these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> > installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> > this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put
the
> > whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
> the
> > only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks
so
> > much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
> the
> > duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
> my
> > own copy of the OS. Lynne
> >
> > "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing.
The
> > > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> > installed
> > > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
> uninstall
> > > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
> native
> > > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
> deny.
> > >
> > > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I
have
> > the
> > > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
have
> > > Help,
> > > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> > should
> > > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
> than
> > > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
> simply
> > > buy
> > > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have
to
> > > > reformat, clean install?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > > > Lynne
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

I've always had my systems built, but this was such a good deal that I
decided to go with it, knowing full well that here would be things I
wouldn't have chosen, were it up to me. Lack of OS disk was just part of the
"good deal." So far, however, I'm really glad I did it - got the computer
and monitor for under $500. So, I can live with it as it, but once the year
is up, I'll upgrade to my specifications, not Compaq's. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual
os
> cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
> main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
> perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
> "thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
> you plan).
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> > There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include
the
> > OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
> restore"
> > function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive.
Compaq
> > refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
> set
> > that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
> call
> > these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> > installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> > this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put
the
> > whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
> the
> > only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks
so
> > much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
> the
> > duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
> my
> > own copy of the OS. Lynne
> >
> > "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing.
The
> > > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> > installed
> > > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
> uninstall
> > > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
> native
> > > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
> deny.
> > >
> > > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I
have
> > the
> > > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
have
> > > Help,
> > > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> > should
> > > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
> than
> > > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
> simply
> > > buy
> > > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have
to
> > > > reformat, clean install?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > > > Lynne
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lynne]

I've always had my systems built, but this was such a good deal that I
decided to go with it, knowing full well that here would be things I
wouldn't have chosen, were it up to me. Lack of OS disk was just part of the
"good deal." So far, however, I'm really glad I did it - got the computer
and monitor for under $500. So, I can live with it as it, but once the year
is up, I'll upgrade to my specifications, not Compaq's. Lynne

"Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
...
> Yeah, I know how you feel. The fact that Compaq/HP don't supply an actual
os
> cd from which a clean install can be performed is complete crap and is the
> main reason I will never purchase from them. The only work around is to
> perform the restore and then remove all the garbage that is so
> "thoughtfully" included with the system (except for getting a retail cd as
> you plan).
>
> "Lynne" > wrote in message
> news:_yjgc.17867$Rz3.17817@fed1read05...
> > There is no disk - that's the problem. What Compaq has done is include
the
> > OEM of XP. This is what is reinstalled if you activate the "system
> restore"
> > function - this is installed on a 5 GB partition of my hard drive.
Compaq
> > refers to this as "the recovery partition." I also have a multiple disk
> set
> > that they suggest you make as a backup of the partition contents (they
> call
> > these "recovery disks"). The recovery partition restores the original
> > installation and setup - I don't know that the user has any control on
> > this - it seems to be an automatic process, and, this would simply put
the
> > whole shebang back onto my hard drive. I popped in the recovery CDs, but
> the
> > only file named "backup" that I could find had a .jp extension. Thanks
so
> > much for the help. As I said in my prior post, I can live with this for
> the
> > duration of the service warranty - then I'll re-do it to my liking, with
> my
> > own copy of the OS. Lynne
> >
> > "Jason Haynes" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > The OEM and retail versions of XP are identical except in licensing.
The
> > > backup program is not installed by default in XP Home, but can be
> > installed
> > > from the cd. I'm not familiar with Compaq restore cd's, but the backup
> > > program should reside on one of the disks. You should be able to
> uninstall
> > > Compaq's proprietary help application and then be able to run XP's
> native
> > > help. I'm not sure on this one, so maybe someone else can confirm or
> deny.
> > >
> > > "Lynne" > wrote in message
> > > news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> > > > There seem to be features that are not available to me because I
have
> > the
> > > > OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I
have
> > > Help,
> > > > but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And,
> > should
> > > > something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other
> than
> > > > mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I
> simply
> > > buy
> > > > a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have
to
> > > > reformat, clean install?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > > > Lynne
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[BigJim]

when you upgrade make dam sure you have the proper drivers for your hardware
"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[BigJim]

when you upgrade make dam sure you have the proper drivers for your hardware
"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[BigJim]

when you upgrade make dam sure you have the proper drivers for your hardware
"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[BigJim]

when you upgrade make dam sure you have the proper drivers for your hardware
"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[BigJim]

when you upgrade make dam sure you have the proper drivers for your hardware
"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>

[BigJim]

when you upgrade make dam sure you have the proper drivers for your hardware
"Lynne" > wrote in message
news:8Uggc.17538$Rz3.2473@fed1read05...
> There seem to be features that are not available to me because I have the
> OEM version of XP (backup and, a true Windows XP help system - I have
Help,
> but it's Compaq's version, not XP and it's not all that great. And, should
> something happen, it makes me "nervous" to not have anything other than
> mfgr's "Restore" program and restoration CDs that I burned. Can I simply
buy
> a copy of XP and install it over the existing OEM, or, would I have to
> reformat, clean install?
>
> Thanks.
> Lynne
>
>