[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer Help - Operating System Install

Posted: 6/20/2011 6:52:08 PM EDT

Can't find it using google.
Put a new hard drive in an old Gateway computer. Couldn't find my original XP disk so I borrowed one. I didn't get it registered in the 30 day window. I found the original disk and would like to install it, but can't get past the screen to register the previous copy I loaded. How do I load my original version of the operating system? I tried hitting F10 and selecting what to boot from, selected the CD drive, but it blew right past it and went to the disk.
Thanks
Rob

Posted: 6/20/2011 6:57:59 PM EDT

[#1]

Is the disk damaged? Any scratches?

Posted: 6/20/2011 6:57:59 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
Can't find it using google.
Put a new hard drive in an old Gateway computer. Couldn't find my original XP disk so I borrowed one. I didn't get it registered in the 30 day window. I found the original disk and would like to install it, but can't get past the screen to register the previous copy I loaded. How do I load my original version of the operating system? I tried hitting F10 and selecting what to boot from, selected the CD drive, but it blew right past it and went to the disk.
Thanks
Rob

Man, if you've got an XP COA, just get on the torrentz and download one of the slipstream updated no register versions.

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:02:08 PM EDT

[#3]

Disk isn't damaged. Just doesn't seem to want to boot from the CD. I'm a little unsure about the Torrent thing.

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:02:26 PM EDT

[#4]

Mount old drive from gateway in another machine as slave and format? maybe?

ETA: before doing that, try removing the power from the machine and then holding down the power button for a full 30 seconds. Plug it back in and f10 into the boot menu and see if that starts the install over with the new CD. If no go, try the above.

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:04:04 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Disk isn't damaged. Just doesn't seem to want to boot from the CD. I'm a little unsure about the Torrent thing.

If you put the cd in while XP is booted, does it autorun?

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:08:55 PM EDT

[#6]

Is the BIOS set to boot from CD?

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:10:57 PM EDT

[#7]

No autorun, just hangs up on the Let's Activate screen.

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:17:45 PM EDT

[#8]

Assuming your BIOS is set to boot from the CD.

Does it give yoy any kind of option to try activating again or generating a new ID??

Have you tried calling MS activation line??

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:19:09 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
No autorun, just hangs up on the Let's Activate screen.

Will it not activate using your key? I'm assuming you tried. And yeah, I'd call MS and activate your current install. Pretty sure they wont give you any trouble over it.

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:25:51 PM EDT

[#10]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-k1wbpjW2o&playnext=1&list=PL02EE0DDCB2C0B9FC

craptastic quality- but it may be worth a look- 90 second video

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:52:10 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-k1wbpjW2o&playnext=1&list=PL02EE0DDCB2C0B9FC

craptastic quality- but it may be worth a look- 90 second video

This was helpful, I was able to get to the CD and try to install XP, but got an error message that the version I was using was later than the one I was trying to install and it wouldn't install it. I did try to call microsoft and it wouldn't accept the code the activation screen gave me.

Posted: 6/20/2011 7:58:01 PM EDT

[#12]

Reformat the Hard Drive and try again with the Original Disk.