Making xp pro re-installation discs-possible ?

Hi all. I am confused ! (not difficult) I have an old computer (2.6ghz 512 ram) that is running XP pro and is very slow. It's a 'second' computer that has no personal files on it that I have not transferred to the new one. The recovery discs,etc have long since been lost. I have been looking on the net to find a way of re-installing the OS without discs, and have totally confused myself ! I lost the plot at backing up the hard drive. I have the windows cd key. PLEASE can you tell me what I need, and how to do it, in words a 50 year old computer ignoramus can understand !? A step by step guide would be superb. Thanks in advance. I did look through the forum at other posts, but I don't think they answer exactly what I want. Nick. ps, I would take it to a shop, but I live in Portugal and want an English OS. :cool

 

I think what you're looking for is probably "nLite", which is an installation disk-creating software program that is also capable of integrating SP updates into the newly created install disc. As long as you have access to a Windows XP Pro install disc AND your own personal windows cd key, you are good. Lots of youtube videos showing how to create install disc with "nLite", as well as pretty good instructions on "nLite" website.

If you don't already have a Windows XP Pro install disc (sounds like you don't), or can't get temporary access to one to create an "nLite" slipstream disc, things get a little dicey. Depending on whether you have an OEM installation folder, you might want to look into a program called "AutoStreamer" by an Antonis Kaladis (websearch should get you to his site) or BartPE CD Builder (again, websearch to get you there). Both sites have really detailed instructions on how to use their programs to create an installation disc with SP updates (so you don't have to sit for hours waiting for SP2 and SP3 to download and update original installation files). Take a look at both sites and decide which is appropriate for your situation.

FWIW, I attempted this about 4 months ago, but had problems creating an install disc from my OEM windows files, as I later learned I had missing and/or corrupt files in my installation folder. Turns out the EASIEST solution (which was the last one attempted...go figure!) was to borrow a friend's installation cd and create a slipstream install disc with "nLite", then reinstall windows with MY cd key. But that's just MY opinion! Good luck!

 

Thanks Hedon. I will investigate and see if I am able !

 

You have stated that you have the windows CD key. With that all you need to do is borrow an XP Pro CD from someone and reinstall the OS using YOUR key.

 

try downloading xxxxx, since your computer is slow this xxxxxxx is under 100mb (when u download it), and im not pretty sure but its 32bit only...anyways download it and burn/mount, it installs in under 5mins!