Reinstall OS

[quaxo]

Are you in the US?

If you paid for the CD and he kept it, it's theft.

If you didn't pay for the CD and he installed Windows, it's piracy.

One way or another, sounds like someone did something illegal and I'd check into it if I were you.

[WillyW]

I'll tell you wat happened,there is a place called richy's street,where you get all the computer components.one fine day my friend and i went there,found a store and bought the components for a computer
...

Fair enough.

Maybe this is what is causing some confusion:

...and bought the components for a computer...

A legit copy of WinXP would be a component.

Either you bought it legit, or you didn't.    So either you have in your computer a legit copy of WinXP, or you don't.

I thought WinXP required that you buy a legit copy,  else after 30 days it crippled itself.    Somebody else will have to jump in here and comment on that though.

Nobody is going to shoot you if you have an illegal copy in your machine. 
But these fine folks here need to know,  because it will affect the advice they give you.
If you have an illegal copy,  just say so.

[konvict]

i'm in india,its impossible to get pirated things here...
i remember purchasing the win Xp pack,the tech told me everything was installed and all i had to do was connect the cables as he adviced me.I didnt get the win xp pack from him.do you think he might be using it? i really donno wat i've done.i was so excited about gettin the computer that iforgot every thing else.was i supposed to get the cd pack? pls guide me

[konvict]

is there a way to get information if my win xp is pirated or original?

[quaxo]

I thought WinXP required that you buy a legit copy,  else after 30 days it crippled itself.    Somebody else will have to jump in here and comment on that though.

I won't elaborate, and I'm telling anyone who is thinking of asking... don't... I won't reply to you.

All I will say is... yes, normally XP would cease to function properly. There's a way into, out of, around, over, under, and through anything and everything software... Windows XP is no exception and neither is Vista. That's all I'll say on that.

Konvict, try updating. If your WinXP is a fake, the update will let you know. Fair warning... it will likely limit or even cripple Windows if Windows Updater finds your copy is pirated.

And... it sounds like you're planning to reinstall your OS... if you don't have the XP CD, what were you planning on using?

[konvict]

i dont know wat to do? I'm asking for your suggestions,i have no idea wat to do to reinstall,all i know is to format c drive and restart and then insert boot disk and start the computer   

[konvict]

as i posted earlier,i dont have internet connection on that computer.is there a software which i can download from a net cafe and run on my system and know if my winXP is pirated.

[quaxo]

Alright, here's what you need to do.

1. Get a Windows CD, be it XP or Vista, your choice. If you go with Vista, make sure you have the specs to support it.

2. Set BIOS to boot from CD first and put the CD in

3. Restart. When the CD drive is checked, it will see the Windows CD and boot from that, starting the install program.

From the Windows setup, there will be an option to create partitions and format your drive. The setup is pretty much automated from there.

A floppy boot disk will not be needed unless your BIOS does not support booting from a CD.

as i posted earlier,i dont have internet connection on that computer.is there a software which i can download from a net cafe and run on my system and know if my winXP is pirated.

Not to my knowledge.

It's after 2am, I'm going to bed and will check back in the morning.

[WillyW]

i'm in india,its impossible to get pirated things here...

Impossible.. ?

i remember purchasing the win Xp pack,

Ah.
Good.

the tech told me everything was installed and all i had to do was connect the cables as he adviced me.I didnt get the win xp pack from him.

Not good.

do you think he might be using it?

If there is a possible way,  then yes.

i really donno wat i've done.i was so excited about gettin the computer that iforgot every thing else.

Excitement is very understandable.   A nice new computer IS exciting. 

I suspect that the tech knew that from experience, and took advantage of it - hoping you'd forget the CDs.

was i supposed to get the cd pack?

Since you said you paid for it,  then yes.

pls guide me

Others here will have to advise you on XP.

But this might turn out to be an expensive lesson.   Hopefully, you can make it a one-time lesson.   
You might have to go purchase another legitimate copy of WinXP Pro.
Even if you don't have to buy one right now,   someday you will.  You'll need it.

Sometimes there is a special partition on your drive, that you can use to do recovery, etc.    I've only read about it.    I believe it is usually on laptops though.   
Perhaps someone else here can tell you how to find out if you have such a thing, and how to use it.
That's grasping at straws,  but since I thought of it, I thought I'd mention it.

[konvict]

2. Set BIOS to boot from CD first and put the CD in

3. A floppy boot disk will not be needed unless your BIOS does not support booting from a CD.

2-How do i do 2nd step.

3-I dont have a floppy drive on my computer,will that affect the installation of the OS...

[WillyW]

i dont know wat to do? I'm asking for your suggestions,i have no idea wat to do to reinstall,all i know is to format c drive and restart and then insert boot disk and start the computer   

If you do not have a WinXP install CD,  then you need to tell quaxo and whoever else might try to help you,   just what you do have.

In other words,  what are you intending to use to format the C: drive?
and where did you get your boot disk?   is it a floppy boot disk?  or what?

[konvict]

Mr willy,
A new win xp cd will cost a lot of money,but since its inevitable,i think i have to buy it.when i install using the new win xp cd,how can i remove the old version already installed on my comp? just formatting the c drive wil do it?and will i still be able to use the applications that are installed on the e,f partitions after installing with the new cd?

[WillyW]

2. Set BIOS to boot from CD first and put the CD in

3. A floppy boot disk will not be needed unless your BIOS does not support booting from a CD.

2-How do i do 2nd step.

See:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000217.htm
and
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000192.htm

[konvict]

i dont know wat to do? I'm asking for your suggestions,i have no idea wat to do to reinstall,all i know is to format c drive and restart and then insert boot disk and start the computer   

If you do not have a WinXP install CD,  then you need to tell quaxo and whoever else might try to help you,   just what you do have.

In other words,  what are you intending to use to format the C: drive?
and where did you get your boot disk?   is it a floppy boot disk?  or what?

Right click on c drive and click on format will format it,i thought
I have a cd which came with my mother board,with all the drivers,thats the boot disk right?

[WillyW]

A new win xp cd will cost a lot of money,

Yes.

but since its inevitable,i think i have to buy it.

And keep it in a very safe place.   

when i install using the new win xp cd,how can i remove the old version already installed on my comp? just formatting the c drive wil do it?

I don't have XP.   
But,  with other versions,   -  Yes,  formatting C: will do it, assuming that WinXP is presently installed on C:   .
The install CD should give you options to format.   Look at them carefully.

I suggest you wait for another reply though.

and will i still be able to use the applications that are installed on the e,f partitions after installing with the new cd?

As long as they have not stored anything on C:,  I would expect to be able to use them.   
Remember - when you format a partition,  everything is gone.    So when you format C:,  if those apps had stored anything on C:,  then it would be gone.

It would be wise to be sure to have backup copies of everything before you begin.
That includes the install programs/disks of any apps you have,  and also back up any data they use.
You cannot have too many backups.