Format Old Harddrive XP/Install New OS Vista

[chad c]

1st Question is, is this possible?  (to switch from one OS to another)

Second:  I already had the comp at best buy and they told me I had a virus in Internet explorer.  So I bought a New desk top comp with Vista on it and love it.


Third can someone break down the process of how I format the old harddrive, and install the new operating system.

IE I don't have the OS XP disks any longer as the comp is a little older and moved 3 times since then.

Thanks for all your help.

[chad c]

Any help?   I just want to start all over..   I have already removed all the pictures/ music/ programs I need..

[patio]

It's very unclear what you want to do here...
Old machine = XP...no XP CD's
New machine = Vista installed.

Old Hdd gets ...what ? ?
You can't transfer Vista from the new machine to the old machine/drive without purchasing a new copy of Vista or XP.

The rule of thumb from MS is one liscense one machine...period.

So let us know a bit clearer what your goals are and we'll go from there.

[chad c]

OKay lets just say I have a new version of Visita with the product key.

OLD HDD gets Vista

Where do I start?  I want to format the old comp (remove XP and install Vista)   Really I am new to this so please dont flame.   If this post is in the worng section or something please tell me and ill search there...  Again, computers are not my thing just trying to get it running properly.

Thanks

[critt]

Chad,

Vista was installed to the new machine.  Microsoft has validated it to that particular machine.  It can't be moved to another.  You'll need to purchase a new Vista for the old machine. 

[chad c]

OKay that was easy....    So, is there a way to keep the old OS and just repair it with no XP disks?   Like I stated in the 1st post they were lost?

[fgdn17]

OKay that was easy....    So, is there a way to keep the old OS and just repair it with no XP disks?   Like I stated in the 1st post they were lost?

you could use an w98 floppy/CD on the old machine, then check if there is and i386 folder on
the drive...if there is you could cd to the i386 folder and try winnt....that would start the xp install and when you select install it should find the existing version and you can tell it to repair it...

Good Luck

[chad c]

and if I dont have a windows 98 CD?   

[fgdn17]

and if I dont have a windows 98 CD?   

I believe you cab download and burn one...use your vista machine and google it...the download and burn one...

ok found one here...but there are others also...

http://www.allbootdisks.com/download/iso.html

[chad c]

thanks for your help.. I really apprciate it...

[critt]

For non-experts like you and I, you need a CD disk or a good computer repair shop.  They have restore disks.

I had the same problem and the only thing suggested to me was to Google find an  i386 file and image it to a CD, run and repair.  Some forums have free files to use this way.  I didn't feel confident enough to try it.

Since you only had a virus, removing it didn't help?  XP has a restore option and a recovery option that work well for most injuries.  

[fgdn17]

For non-experts like you and I, you need a CD disk or a good computer repair shop.  They have restore disks.

I had the same problem and the only thing suggested to me was to Google find an  i386 file and image it to a CD, run and repair.  Some forums have free files to use this way.  I didn't feel confident enough to try it.

Since you only had a virus, removing it didn't help?  XP has a restore option and a recovery option that work well for most injuries.  

must have missed where he said he had a virus...cause if he did and it isn't cleaned up there is
more trouble brewing...you are correct...

[patio]

You can't always facilitate a reinstall from an existing i386 folder...
Your best bet right now would be to borrow an XP CD and do a  Repair Install of XP....

Read it thru to get familiar and print out a copy for reference.

This is assuming the XP install on the old machine is legit as you will have to re-validate at some point...especially to get Updates.

NOTE: The XP CD has to match both the version you were running and the installed Service Packs...i.e. XP PRO with SP2 then that's the CD you need to borrow.

NOTE # 2: An OEM ( Dell HP etc ) CD will not work for this procedure.

Good Luck.

[chad c]

Thanks for all your inputs guys.....

[BC_Programmer]

OKay that was easy....    So, is there a way to keep the old OS and just repair it with no XP disks?   Like I stated in the 1st post they were lost?

you could use an w98 floppy/CD on the old machine, then check if there is and i386 folder on
the drive...if there is you could cd to the i386 folder and try winnt....that would start the xp install and when you select install it should find the existing version and you can tell it to repair it...

Good Luck

erm- windows 98 can't read NTFS, which precludes this method.

This may explain your stance on having to format a drive before it can be seen, as well....