I nearly bid on a Dell S/H computer recently on Ebay that had XP Pro loaded but realised that this would not include the O/S installation discs. I emailed the seller about what I would do later when I wanted to reformat and re-install but got no reply.
This must happen all the time so can anyone tell me whether Dell then stands by the product and helps you re-install?..hope this is not a stupid question but I need to know whether to bid in future or not
Operating System discs
(31 posts) (6 voices)-
bigharry
MemberPosted 16 years ago # -
BillW50
MemberWell Windows XP itself comes with a backup program. Some claim it doesn't backup everything. While I have used Windows XP backup before. I never actually tested it completely. Meaning if you had to totally restore, I don't know if it would be fully functional.
Whatever method you use, it would be very nice to have a spare hard drive. That way when you back everything up, pull the old hard drive out. Then restore to the new hard drive. If it works then great. If it doesn't, you did something wrong or the backup program doesn't do it all correctly.
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
MemberI say just get a copy of the OS you want to run, and have that on hand for whenever you need it. Still do data backups, of course, but in the long run, you'll be very happy to have an OS install disc, believe me!
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
Memberbigharry, that simply won't work for you, unless you buy the exact same computers each time. You see, each motherboard and each component within the computer needs a driver specific to it's brand and design. Then there is the issue of the brain, the CPU.
So, simply using a system backup from one brand of computer, to another has a 99% chance of failure.
Might I also suggest that you make a new thread in the "Talks" sub forum? We can then discuss this at length, without bending any of the forum guidelines. That would make the Mods very happy.. :-)
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
MemberScroll down to the bottom of the main forum page, and you will see different sub forums listed. Click on the Talk forum, then make your new thread in there.
MOD = Moderator someone who guides and controls the forums.
Most every forum on the internet has moderators. If you do not follow the guidelines or rules, they can do most everything from delete your posts, to expel you from the forum.
See? :-)
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
Member:-)
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
MemberOnly one good deed per month, and it has to be a holiday month at that?? :-)
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
MemberWell, it seems bigharry has stopped posting, for now anyway. I'll check back later on, I've got some sites to visit. Besides, with you now here BuBBy, things are well covered!
Later.... :-)
Posted 16 years ago # -
BillW50
MemberWell there is the repair option from the retail version of Windows XP (not the OEM version that comes with most computers) that can take a Windows installed on one computer and move it to another unlike system. What it does is to reinstall Windows, but without losing the installed applications or registry.
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
MemberYes, that is an option. However, that option necessitates the user having a valid, OS disk at their disposal, which is what I advocated a few posts ago, yes?
Also, the first line of Warning #1 in your link states, "A Repair Install is not foolproof and should not be considered the cure-all fix... The procedure applies only if you can still boot into Windows."
From experience, I know that if one tries to use an OS backup from say an Intel based computer, to an AMD based computer, you'll get a blue screen every time you try to boot after the image restore on the new computer. Simply cannot be done, not in all my days of experience, which is more than a little. I truly wish it were possible to do that, it would make building new systems and transferring existing OS's much more convenient!
And lastly, I believe the whole procedure would be out of reach, or at least very difficult, for a relatively inexperienced computer user, wouldn't you agree, Bill?
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
MemberRight, then. The starter of this thread, if you will recall, asked "And can one backup the O/S only onto a DVD thus creating your own O/S disc "
Again, I say no, not to use on another computer, unless it is an identical computer, in terms of motherboard and processor, to the one the image was made from.
You have made several good suggestions that would apply if one were talking about just one, original, computer. But the question was more in the realm of "Can I make an OS disc image from one computer, and use that as an OS install disc on any computer I come across?" My answer is most often times,"No", and on the rare, rare occasion when it would be possible, one would have to jump through hoops, do somersaults, ring bells, and whistle Dixie all at the same time, in the mere hopes that it would work fine in the end.
I believe that question is finally sorted, yes?
Posted 16 years ago # -
Even on similar hardware - I believe Windows will detect serial numbers etc etc - and depending on how many components are "different" - windows will treat the cloned computer as a "different" computer, and require re-Authorization / Activation - or it will go back into "Non-Genuine" mode (If "enough" devices change within a short period of time).
While I haven't tried it myself, I believe items such as serial numbers on hard drives, video cards, even memory sticks - and the MAC Address on network cards can contribute to Windows treating the PC as a different computer than was originally authorised against the license. (The exception is for companies with volume licensing agreements who could obtain a version of XP that didn't require to be activated/authorised).
Because of piracy concerns - I believe Microsoft no longer handle volume licensing in this manner-eg. for Vista.
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
MemberI believe items such as serial numbers on hard drives, video cards, even memory sticks - and the MAC Address on network cards can contribute to Windows treating the PC as a different computer than was originally authorised against the license.
In times past, I know I've swapped out hard drives(after doing a clone), video cards, and memory sticks, all within the same computer box, whilst doing a system upgrade, and after all that upgrading, the OS still worked fine. As I recall, that was using WinXP Pro, SP1.
Now, when it comes to upgrading a mobo and/or cpu, that's a different story. I did an upgrade of that nature for a friend a couple of years ago, and you are correct BuBBy in that he did, indeed have to activate the OS again. But to even get to the point where we found out that he needed to activate again, it was pure drama. Just to get the original HD to work with the new mobo and cpu was much, much more effort than it was worth! That is why I gave my opinion above.... It's just simply a nightmare to get done, if it can be done.....
Now, something I always wanted to try, but never got around to doing, is to install the OS from a legit OS install disc, then use the built-in feature of WinXP called "transfer programs and settings" from the old computer to the new one. IF that feature actually did work, that might be the answer all the way round.
Posted 16 years ago # -
Just for Reference Purposes:
CHANGES THAT CAUSE REACTIVATION (XP): http://www.compphix.com/reactivationchanges.html
Modifications to hardware and how they affect the activation status of Windows XP microsoft.com
List of Programs Whose Settings Are Migrated When You Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304903
(Note: Doesn't look like F.A.S.T. will do what you wanted)
Posted 16 years ago # -
pauloparra
MemberI am pretty sure that doing an image backup of the entire disk will allow you to restore it to the backup point as if nothing had happened. Norton Ghost is the one that gets named the most. Keriver is an image backup program and I have used it to restore MojoPac which contains system files. There are free alternatives, like DriveImage XML and Parangon Drive Copy(I am not sure if I got this as a GAOTD or as a promo). Also Western Digital and Maxtor (they are the same company now) give a free full disk backup program, but I don't know if it works on non Maxtor/WD drives.
I'll tell you how I was able to get a free XP pro sp2 disk. I don't know if you can use this or not and you have to have a valid copy of XP to begging with, but here it goes anyway.
I bought a Pavillion from HP which came with XP pro and a recovery partition that can be used to reinstall only system files or to do a complete re-installation with reformatting and all.
Well, I beta tested Live OneCare, so I was able to purchase a year subscription for a little money. One day Live OneCare was doing a performance tune-up and it started to complain about some system files being different from what they should be. Apparently OneCare was running a Microsoft app (can't remember its name, but it is not part of OneCare) that checks your system files for validity.
The application kept asking me to insert the original XP disk to get the right version of the bogus system file and refused to accept my recovery partition as a place to look, so I contacted Live OneCare support and 2 days later I received a brand new Windows XP sp2 disk that I use every time I need original XP system files.
I can't think of anything else that may help you. Sorry about not being able to give more details and links, but I am in a hurry. Good luck.
-Mario
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
Member@ BuBBy.. At the first link you posted, the article says:
The exact number of components on the list that can be changed or replaced without triggering the reactivation code depends on the type of the machine and whether a network adapter exists. For example:
* Desktop computers with an installed network card can change six components. If there isn't a network card or if it's replaced, only four changes are allowed before the reactivation code is triggered.
* Laptops with a network card can change nine components. If there isn't a network card, only seven changes are allowed before the reactivation code is triggered.So, I thank you for that information! Something I was not aware of until I just read it. But, I sit here and ask myself what seven components would I be changing within the same desktop computer anyway??
With virtually all modern mobos, I can see changing out CPUs, RAM, Graphics Cards, Sound Cards, Hard Drives, or a CD or DVD drive.... but that's about it. Things like SCSI, IDE, and Network adapters are mostly built-in board features nowadays. So, it would be a stretch to envision myself replacing more than six components on a desktop, or eight components on a laptop to require re-activation of the OS. In either of those circumstances, that would conceivably be a rebuild of the entire system, keeping just the box and PSU. Matter of fact, I don't believe it's even possible to replace eight components within a laptop. There are not that many serviceable components in a laptop in the first place, not the ones I've worked on within the last 5 years. In the worst case scenario, one can only replace the mobo, cpu, ram, optical drive, hard drive, and wireless network adapter. An LCD screen does not have any id information associated with it, not the HP, Acer, and Dell models I have replaced, anyways.
So, it leaves me asking what eight components on a laptop one could replace, even if they wanted to.. :-)
And most people are not going to upgrade that many components in their desktop model. Most all people would rather invest all that money into a new system. The exception I can think of is a modder, who has invested much time and money into making his own custom system... liquid cooling, led lights and cooling fans, 750W PSU, side and top windows, tinted glass, paint job, etc... You get the idea.
But still and all, thank you for those links! I never had any idea that just changing out a certain number of components (even though it's a very high number of components) would cause a need for re-activation. MS never ceases to amaze me.... :-)
Thanks also for the F.A.S.T. information. Like I said, never got around to using that feature, and from what I read, probably never will.. lol
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
Member@ pauloparra You wrote: I am pretty sure that doing an image backup of the entire disk will allow you to restore it to the backup point as if nothing had happened.
I agree, using the same computer. Not on a different computer with different hardware components. 99% of the time, it just won't work. That's been my experience over a number of years, with a number of systems. Of course, there are always exceptions, and I leave a 1% opportunity for those to happen.. :-)
Posted 16 years ago # -
BillW50
MemberI've given up on desktop computers for about 5 years now and I just buy laptops in twos (same model). There are a number of wonderful benefits when doing so. One is that I can swap hard drives between the two in mere seconds. And I don't really have to backup my OS either, as the other laptop already has a copy of it. And I have one laptop connected to an external monitor, keyboard, etc. And if one breaks, it is easy to troubleshoot because I have spare parts. Plus having one down for some reason is no big deal at all.
And before someone says that sounds expensive. Well these Gateway MX6124 sold last year for $1599 at Best Buy. Although I paid $499 refurbished and the other one on eBay for 200 bucks. The eBay one had a dark screen and Geek Squad told them it would cost more to repair than it was worth. Sorry Geeks, it cost me 10 bucks for a used inverter on eBay and it works fine.
Posted 16 years ago # -
FreewareFan
MemberSounds like you got a good deal on the eBay laptop! You're right about Geek Squad, or any of the other repair places that are a chain of operations. Most of the time, they try to up-sell, rather than repair. Or, I should say, that's been my experience.
Yep, you got a good deal, considering all you had to do was to replace the inverter. Now, if you had to replace the backlight, that would have been another story. A bit more work to do that. Then of course, if it had been the video chip causing the dark screen, well, as you know, a new mobo would have been in order.
Yes, always good to have a backup... whether you're talking about a spare computer, or a spare image of your OS. Security and all that.
Posted 16 years ago # -
BillW50
MemberWell to be honest, I didn't care if I ever got the screen working anyway since I use one with an external LCD monitor anyway. And the two laptops before that was Toshiba 2595XDVD laptops. One has W98SE and the other I put Windows 2000 on it. Those I paid 600 bucks a piece for them on eBay about 6 years ago. Nowadays you can still find them for about 100 bucks a piece. LOL
Yes I do like having the same model of computer. As you don't have that problem of Windows complaining if you swap the hard drives between them. Plus they don't have that activation Windows XP thing either. And if something goes wrong (software or hardware) with one of them, I'm back up again in seconds.
Posted 16 years ago #
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