Windows XP??

I have windows xp home edition SP2 and i was thinking about reformating my computer due to viruses and tones of misc junk. I don't have any disks but I have a legit key for windows (i lost my cd's). So i'm wondering if it's possible to use a) my friends copy of Windows Xp Pro with my legit key or if there's anyway around this so I can reformat and have a legit windows. I'm also wondering with reformatting do I need to reinstall drivers such as mouse etc? I use a labtop. I've never reformatted a computer before so I'm not really sure about it, thanks.

 

Yep, you may use your friend's XP copy with your own key. Its quite legal.

Yep, you will need to install all programs, drivers and settings again after reinstallation. However, there is a lot of tools that allow users to back up and restore drivers such as

Driver Genius Professional 5.3 Free,
DriverMax.

I'd also recommend you to back up your system after clean install. It will allow you not to reformat in future. If you have a virus or too your system become too busy, you may just to restore it to its first clean state without reformatting and reinstalling of all programs. There is a huge amount of programs that may help with backup, which you may find on the majorgeeks. Personally I use True Image.

You may also read about backup itself on the

http://backupsoftreview.com/

 

I dont think you can use his copy of XP Pro your Key is for XP Home.

You will have to find someone with a copy of XP Home to use your Key.

 

Alright I got my drivers put onto a CD. So is there any clarifycation as to weather or not I can use a WINDOWS XP HOME KEY FOR WINDOWS XP PRO? I'm just wondering if anyone has a foresure answer on this because I have the pro cd right now, but it will take me a bit of time to get ahold of a home cd. Also I'm wondering if there's any harm in saving some of my documents, pictures and movies onto a CD and putting them back on the computer after I install antivirus protection. And how exactly is this going to work when I finally have the right windows cd? Do i just right click on c:\ and go format? then my computer will reboot and ask for the proper cd? And I think my zonealarm may be infected with a virus somehow right now, but could I burn zonealarm setup onto a cd so I don't have to do any unsafe surfing? Also would you guys reccomend zonealarm? I have a key that works for it but I find zonealarm is a hassle sometimes; it won't let mirc open properly and such. Big thanks for your time and help

 

I should have been more clear. You CANT use a Key for XP Home for an instalation of XP Pro. They are 2 different operating systems.

Save any files you want to onto a CD or DVD but to be safe check all the files with your AV program before you save them. You could transfer a Virus if you save an infected file.

"how exactly is this going to work when I finally have the right windows cd?"

Boot from the XP Home CD and choose to Install Windows now.

Some people here swear by Zone Alarm. If your program isn't working properly you can download another version. You have a key for Zone Alarm Pro so you can re-install the version you already have and use your Valid key to get it up and running again.

 

Oh, you can't use Windows XP home key for the XP PRO of course. Sorry, I haven't noticed you wrote about different Windows XP versions.