[chubsiesmum]

Hi i was just wondering if someone could point me in the right direction, about a week ago my pc wouldn't boot up windows xp and its asking for the reload disc, the problem is i haven't backed up all my data and files and reload disc will take the computer back to factory settings and i will lose everything. I was told if i got a new harddrive and installed windows xp i could then add my old hard drive as a secondary.Well i have bought a new internal ide hard drive but i forgot i dont have the windows xp home software i need, i have just looked on ebay but im not exactly sure which is the right product i need, are they the software to install windows xp from scratch or just service packs. i do have some computer knowledge but im no expert would this product be the one i need?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=260386919782

really hope someone can help

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Welcome to the forums.

First off, why did you buy an IDE HDD? That's fairly outdated. But if it's because you're mobo doesn't support SATA, then fair enough.

Secondly we're going to need to know whether you're CPU is x86 or x64

If you don't know then that's fine, it doesn't really matter unless you have more than 3GB of RAM?

Because however many bits your CPU uses x86 Operating System will work. (You need 64 bit to have more RAM and make full use of a Quad core proccessor)


If you can clear that up we can go back to eBay and work out what's best for you.

To summarise that's:

1. How many GB of RAM?
2. CPU Model or just how many cores it has
3. 32 bit or 64 bit architecture - if you know?

[pete21]

something to check..is there a serial key on the outside of the pc case? if so am almost sure you can download a copy of windows and use that key to activate it and i think thats all legal to
so wouldn't cost you anything to install windows you simply download and burn..install and activate with your serial

[Carbon]

Originally Posted by 4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie

Because however many bits your CPU uses x86 Operating System will work. (You need 64 bit to have more RAM and make full use of a Quad core
proccessor

This is blatantly false (re: the quad core thing) and completely irrelevant for most users. XP 64-bit is terrible and an overwhelming percentage of OEM computers have 2GB of RAM. The only thing that needs to be said here is "buy a legitimate copy of Windows XP x86 off a legitimate retailer" (not eBay).

If you don't feel like paying, it's probably a better move to download the Windows 7 beta: while it's recommended only for experienced users, it's solid enough that I would recommend its usage generally.

[philthomas]

Or ....... you could try backing up your data to an external device (Flash Drive or USB Drive), using a Linux Live CD ... simple guide here it's pretty easy to do.

Then you can restore as normal, copy your data back and return the IDE Drive for a refund.

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Originally Posted by Carbon

This is blatantly false (re: the quad core thing) and completely irrelevant for most users. XP 64-bit is terrible and an overwhelming percentage of OEM computers have 2GB of RAM. The only thing that needs to be said here is "buy a legitimate copy of Windows XP x86 off a legitimate retailer" (not eBay).

If the OP is running a system with 8GB of RAM and a Quad core it would be stupid of me to say "oh hey yeah just go grab yourself a 32 bit from a legit seller."

They would have wasted hardware, also there are many legit sellers on eBay, if you know what you're getting and you do it right theres nothing wrong with it.