WinXP SP2

[Mencia_monkey]

Due to some problems with my PC I have to re-instal XP, I have the original
disk and product key, however because I upgraded to SP2 some time ago, when I
try and instal the original disk I recieve a pop-up message telling me this
is not posible as my disk is an older version.

Can anyone out there explain how I can overcome this problem as I am not
very PC literate.

Many thanks

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Mencia_monkey wrote:

> Due to some problems with my PC I have to re-instal XP,


What problems? Reinstalling to solve problems is almost always way overkill.
Most problems have far simpler, less draconian solutions.

If you have problems, post them here; it's likely that someone can help you
and a reinstallation won't be required.


> I have the
> original disk and product key, however because I upgraded to SP2 some
> time ago, when I try and instal the original disk I recieve a pop-up
> message telling me this is not posible as my disk is an older version.
>
> Can anyone out there explain how I can overcome this problem as I am
> not very PC literate.


First, note that you can make a CD incorporating SP2 by a process called
"slipstreaming." Read here:

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=7262 and
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm

However, the real problem is that you are doing it all wrong. You should not
be trying to do a clean reinstallation of Windows from within Windows. Just
boot from the Windows XP CD (change the BIOS boot order if necessary to
accomplish this) and follow the prompts for a clean installation (delete the
existing partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then create a new one).

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp.htm

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

or here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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