quick xp install question...

i am planning on buying a new hard drive and installing xp after i put it in, but right now with the old hard drive and windows me i need to buy an xp disk and do a clean install. my question is what version should i get since i need to do both a clean install and the new harddrive later on? are they gonna give me crap when i register again on the same pc with the new drive?

 

Are you referring to XP home vs XP pro? If so, please describe your useage. Is a standalone computer, or only part of a small network? Does it require special access control for users?

 

I have had no problems..my friend is on the phone to microsoft constntly...Suppose I should add that he is very paranoid....formats once a month!
Your friendly neighborhood pc store "should " give you the newest version...
Just be sure to get your updates

 

go pro!

 

Why? What functionality does it provide the causal home user? Most home users don't have a domain to join, or need to implement group policy. What other perks are there?

 

xp home i can't afford pro. its is good;i have it at work. this is standalone cheap pc i am try ing to beef up a little.

 

calm down Mada, see the smiley?
lets not argue XP versions....just be sure to get your updates

 

so i can get an oem disc and it will do the trick? what about registering it twice or will i have to do that after i swap the hard drive?

 

If you are buying a new license, as in, buying another (or new) copy of XP, then NO.

If you were transfering a license from one computer to another computer, even if the other computer is trashed, then yes. But, it is a simple process to explain to MS.

 

no i am planning on pulling my hard drive putting in a brand new one,then installing xp. ican get what i want off the old hd later.

 

No problem then. You should not have an issue with MS, since you are buying a NEW license for XP.

 

so xp oem disc can do the clean install i need now and the install after i change my hd?

 

Many hard drives come with a utility disc which has an application for transferring your Windows installation from your old drive to the new drive without a need to reinstall.

 

i still have to physically hook up the old hd to the new hd thru the pc. the whole point is to start fresh and not transfer junk or problems.

 

With a fresh install of XP on your old drive, there should neither be junk nor problems. If you reinstall XP and activate it twice in a 120 day window, you most likely will be required to activate over the phone. Transferring that fresh XP installation will save you the hassle of reactivation.

 

do you have to completely uninstall me to do a fresh install of xp?