Windows XP installing

Lee · #1 12-10-2007, 09:46 PM

I was given an old computer by my work (Optima Pentium 4), with XP Pro apparently installed.
This would not boot - some config file missing or something.....
So I got some discs from there (all OEM from other brands) and naively tried to reinstall - the first one died, after I allowed it to delete the original partition - handy that.
The others won't proceed without product keys. Which I don't have. My partner has an old compaq laptop with discs etc, but they succumb to a fatal error on installing also.

So.... Can someone explain to this vehement mac zealot (even moreso now) how I can turn this small metallic box into a useful computer now. Can I buy a copy of XP somewhere? Will it be restricted to a certain brand of machine? Is it possible to get copies second hand??

I only want this so I can leave the machine in the obs, and drive my DSI, that's all.... maybe I should just use my macbook and nebulosity.... sounds much less stressful.....

h0ughy (David) · #2 12-10-2007, 10:06 PM

bring it over to me tomorrow Lee - I will see how I can help you

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #3 12-10-2007, 10:26 PM

might have a hidden recovery partition Dave ?

geoff

h0ughy (David) · #4 12-10-2007, 11:17 PM

start from scratch with low level format Geoff- then load the OS and drivers, lee will have to leave it with me take a couple of hours. I have found that the hidden partion instals dont work if they have been corrupted or affected by a virus etc, or human intervention (deletion)

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #5 12-10-2007, 11:42 PM

ah! yes

don't you just love the one's that have been PLAYED with

(and denied or not told that they have been)

geoff

vindictive666 (John) · #6 13-10-2007, 07:29 AM

the sale of windows xp has been extended so it should still be available to purchase

dannat (Daniel) · #7 13-10-2007, 01:27 PM

I think I would rather go back to an apple II than bother about XP.

h0ughy (David) · #8 13-10-2007, 01:53 PM

LOL Lees PC was terminally ill - funeral tomorrow - so I am fixing him up with another one just so he can run windows for the DSI

RB (Andrew) · #9 13-10-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannat

I think I would rather go back to an apple II than bother about XP.

At least you won't have any problems connecting your Daisy Wheel to it.

dannat (Daniel) · #10 13-10-2007, 04:26 PM

seriously plasmodium(which type are you ?) I get access to and format the c: drive using a linux program called Gparted gparted.sourceforge.net - you can download the disk image (somehting mac perople are familiar with) , burn it to cd & then boot the computer from the cd. once you are in you should be right - if you need an xp key send me a PM
cheers dan

Lee · #11 13-10-2007, 04:31 PM

This things BIOS was departed before Houghy got a look at it.... I don't think any software would be helpful.... Thanks for the offer though!
Falciparum.... deadly....

Lee · #12 13-10-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannat

I think I would rather go back to an apple II than bother about XP.

An Apple II would be more useful than this box today! The computer wouldn't even be heavy enough to use as an anchor!

h0ughy (David) · #13 13-10-2007, 11:08 PM

other PC loaded with XP now and most updates, now looking for software drivers for the acer motherboard, hope to have ot working for you by the morning Lee

Lee · #14 13-10-2007, 11:16 PM

Cheers mate..... See you then.

netwolf · #15 14-10-2007, 01:24 AM

On a side not maybe useful to some, you can now get two things that i keep in my rebuild kit that are quiet handy. One is Autopatcher saves having to download windows updates every time you rebuild and driverpacks if correctly added into your build cd can save time searching for those hard to find device drivers. A good website and forum to join up is the MSFN forums, lots of tips on building your own recovery cd's etc.

I never understood the Mac vs Intel or MS or Linux etc etc. Its a computer it is binary i am decimal (and more if i wish) surely it cant be smarter than me. Give me a manual and i will fix it.

Regards
Fahim

Lee · #16 14-10-2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

.....saves having to download windows updates every time you rebuild.....

What's a rebuild??

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

.....lots of tips on building your own recovery cd's etc. .....

What's a recovery CD??

After a decade of using Apple, I have forgotten what these terms are......

Lee · #17 14-10-2007, 12:22 PM

All good now.... Thanks to Houghy and a new box that is!

Houghy!!