|
Posted on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 6:08 PM
|
ShockDiamonds
Posts: 736
|
Stupid question perhaps - how can I arrange a fresh install of XP? I don't have the install disc from memory...machine was built for me a few years ago and I don't believe I have the disc. Not sure there is a boot parition or similar on the drive either. Downloading a copy off t'internet sounds dodgy...but is there no other option? Being thick I know can't for the life of me remember how I did this previously.
--
BMW Car Magazine
|
|
Posted on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 6:19 PM
|
Beany
Posts: 19777
|
If it was built properly, you should have a Windows XP license sticker on the body of the machine somewhere. That will be marked as OEM. As you don't have a retail box for windows, it's safe to assume it'll be an OEM version (costs less so the system builder can add margin to it). There is nothing - I add again, nothing - illegal/dodgy about downloading a copy of the Windows XP OEM disc image from any location you choose; providing it's a legitimate copy (IE it's not pre-cracked - that it's just a copy of the original disk, and they are available through The Usual Locations), and you have the OEM license key on your machine. And hell, if that doesn't work, just get a keygen/crack... TBH finding a legit OEM image is the biggest PITA - pay a geek in beer to locate one and burn it for you. The installation part is pretty straightforward providing you have the rest of the system disks (drivers, etc).
|
|
Posted on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 6:25 PM
|
Ali.
Posts: 793
|
I just bought a new disc online. For £20 it was less hassle than trying to download a copy off the internet. Brand new, £20 on eBay
--
Never say no to a panda.
|
|
Posted on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 7:34 PM
|
ShockDiamonds
Posts: 736
|
Thanks guys. I have the serials and products keys etc (got them from the registry) so that combined with a legit copy of the OS should suffice then. Will have a look over the weekend.
--
BMW Car Magazine
|
|
Posted on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 7:42 PM
|
_Steveo_
Posts: 6652
|
For fifteen quid you would be nuts not to upgrade to windows 8 Cheers Steve
--
252.3KW
|
|
Posted on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 8:37 PM
|
ShockDiamonds
Posts: 736
|
_Steveo_ said... For fifteen quid you would be nuts not to upgrade to windows 8 Cheers Steve
Good point do you have a linky? Usual places like Amazon are charging a lot more.
--
BMW Car Magazine
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 8:17 AM
|
RobYob
Posts: 309
|
Tiny XP installs much faster and you can choose not to put IE andnl Outlook. Availably at your nearest hive of scum and villainy. And don't touch Win8 until sp1, if ever.
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 11:37 AM
|
Marv
Posts: 15303
|
A machine which originally ran XP will probably be too slow to run Windows 8. Stick with XP, it's a pretty stable operating system anyway.
--
You Sir, are rude, arrogant and selfish. And so is your son.
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 11:41 AM
|
ShockDiamonds
Posts: 736
|
Marv said... A machine which originally ran XP will probably be too slow to run Windows 8. Stick with XP, it's a pretty stable operating system anyway.
I did wonder that last night when I saw that 2Gb is needed for 8.
--
BMW Car Magazine
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 3:00 PM
|
RichardMajor86
Posts: 1326
|
ShockDiamonds said... Marv said... A machine which originally ran XP will probably be too slow to run Windows 8. Stick with XP, it's a pretty stable operating system anyway.
I did wonder that last night when I saw that 2Gb is needed for 8.
Although Win8 is smaller and works faster than Vista and 7, non?
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 4:14 PM
|
Marv
Posts: 15303
|
RichardMajor86 said... ShockDiamonds said... Marv said... A machine which originally ran XP will probably be too slow to run Windows 8. Stick with XP, it's a pretty stable operating system anyway.
I did wonder that last night when I saw that 2Gb is needed for 8.
Although Win8 is smaller and works faster than Vista and 7, non?
Really? I haven't read much into Windows 8, but it being smaller than its predecessors would be a first! (I've never seen a program or operating system become less bloated with successive versions)
Updated January 5, 2013 at 6:42 PM
--
You Sir, are rude, arrogant and selfish. And so is your son.
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 6:37 PM
|
_Steveo_
Posts: 6652
|
Hes right Marv Win 7 was always a bit of a dog Win8 is like a breath of fresh air. Cheers Steve
--
252.3KW
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 11:56 PM
|
_
Posts: 5316
|
Is it easy to get rid of the metro stuff in 8 and have it just as a newer/better vista/7 with the familiar user experience?
|
|
Posted on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 1:08 AM
|
_Steveo_
Posts: 6652
|
Although I cannot fathom why you would get rid of Metro Cheers Steve
--
252.3KW
|
|
Posted on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 2:30 AM
|
_
Posts: 5316
|
_Steveo_ said... Although I cannot fathom why you would get rid of Metro Cheers Steve
Because it's a good interface for a tablet, but not for a mouse? Or that's what most people seem to be saying anyway. I installed the consumer preview a while back, and hated it. Though I did only give it 20 minutes of my time...
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 9:01 PM
|
_Steveo_
Posts: 6652
|
Personally I love it. Cheers Steve
--
252.3KW
|
|
Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 9:21 PM
|
Marv
Posts: 15303
|
IMO & IME: Windows 3.1 - brilliant
Windows 95 - very good
Windows 98 - average
Windows ME - Pile of crap
Windows 2000 - Solid good OS
Windows XP - crap to begin with, good and solid by SP2
Windows Vista - buggy as fvck, I generally avoided it, don't know if it got any better?
Windows 7 - Pretty decent, but still flawed and slightly frustrating. Haven't used Windows 8 yet.... BTW, I'm never sure if Steveo is being serious with his seemingly undying love for the latest Microsoft products!
--
You Sir, are rude, arrogant and selfish. And so is your son.
|
|
