XP Re-install

[Wilmslow]

Got a copy of XP from an engineer friend if I want to use it.

Problem being I had a virus that disabed Windows Update. I have now managed to get Windows Update working, and had a couple of clear runs with Microsoft Security Essentials, so looking a little more hopeful.

However, as an old works laptop, things like System Restore are disabled.

Can I re-install Windows XP keeping existing data like outlook mails etc, or, would I need to save as .pst to memory stick or cdrom and hope this gets re-installed ok?

Finally - my laptop is split into 2 drives - primary drive is the C drive but only 15G - how can I make this larger and take from the D drive?

This is why I am not a technical IT person - documentation and process is more my thing!!

[snaw]

This is why I am not a technical IT person - documentation and process is more my thing!!

Are you sure process is your thing, cause there's a CUK process of asking this kind of question in technical ...

[cojak]

<snigger...>

[NotAllThere]

Backup your data, whatever you do. Regarding resizing your disk - search for repartitioning.

[cojak]

..and I'm sure you're legally entitled to use the XP CD aren't you.

(Tip: there's a right answer and a very wrong answer to this question.)

Looks over shoulder to see if NAT overheard...

[administrator]

As said before, get a USB stick or USB hard drive and back up everything you want from the machine. Then you can use something like PowerQuest Partition Magic to resize the disk or combine the two into one or whatever.

I would do this first while you still have operating system intact.

Once you have done this you can stick in the Windows disk, boot from it and follow the instructions to format the c: drive and reinstall Windows.

Bear in mind that if you are using Outlook for mail not only will you need a legal copy of Windows you will also need a copy of Office as well.

Good luck!

[Pondlife]

Will you be using the license key from your 'mate' or the original one from the clients machine?

Do you know where he got this copy from? If the key has already been used on another machine you could face issues.

[NotAllThere]

Looks over shoulder to see if NAT overheard...

Wilmslow is an upright member of the community, according to those who have met him (or perhaps it was just the way he was standing).

If you do a reinstall, Wilmslow, you should make sure you download the Genuine Advantage tool, just to verify that it is a legit copy.

[The Wikir Man]

Assuming that the current version is legit, you can still use another key to do the install, then download the MS Key Updater tool and swap the key to the original one.

I've had to do it a few times when I reinstalled Windows - the CD I have is SP2 but the key is for the original XP. Install with a "borrowed" key, then swap it as soon as Windows starts to the original - no problems.

[pmeswani]

Got a copy of XP from an engineer friend if I want to use it.

Problem being I had a virus that disabed Windows Update. I have now managed to get Windows Update working, and had a couple of clear runs with Microsoft Security Essentials, so looking a little more hopeful.

However, as an old works laptop, things like System Restore are disabled.

Can I re-install Windows XP keeping existing data like outlook mails etc, or, would I need to save as .pst to memory stick or cdrom and hope this gets re-installed ok?

Finally - my laptop is split into 2 drives - primary drive is the C drive but only 15G - how can I make this larger and take from the D drive?

This is why I am not a technical IT person - documentation and process is more my thing!!

As already been said... backup your data first before reinstalling or repartitioning. Also use a License key finder (like http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/) to find any software license keys you wish to keep. Print the keys off and reinstall XP. Delete both partitions and recreate them, if you are willing, and start from scratch.

Simples.