Reformatting and reinstalling windows?

[Llorrac]

I am about to "inherit" several older computers, which I have to reformat the HD (part of the agreement to get the computers). 2 of the computers are running 98SE and and the third is running XP. I have the CD keys but not the cds. Is there a way to reformat and save the OS? or a way to make a copy of the OS to reinstall after the reformat? or can I install from the legal copies I own, but use the keys from each of the computers? and is any of this legal?
I own both a 98se and xp, which I am running on my 2 systems, so I know I can't use my keys, as I've used it. Or lastly, will I have to go out and buy additional windows cds (one for each system)?
Thanx

[netnamakan]

You can use any install cd, as long as you have an unused key for it.

[glc]

You can legally use your CD's and the keys that belong to the computers. Whether the keys will work may be a different story, your CD's have to be the same version as the keys are for (OEM, retail, upgrade).

In reality, without getting into an area where we don't want to go in these forums, 98SE will not cause you any grief if you have to "reuse" a key, but XP will, and you would probably have to call Microsoft to explain what you had to do and get it activated.

[=Maverick=]

Originally Posted by Llorrac Is there a way to reformat and save the OS?

I think Glc has answered your questions nicely.

But your statement above.... do you have any idea what a reformat is? When you reformat your HDD, you're essentially wiping off all data and starting fresh - so how in the world do you expect to save the OS? Think about it!

[Llorrac]

Originally Posted by =Maverick= I think Glc has answered your questions nicely. But your statement above.... do you have any idea what a reformat is? When you reformat your HDD, you're essentially wiping off all data and starting fresh - so how in the world do you expect to save the OS? Think about it!

I guess what I was thinking was erasing everything but the os. But now that I've successively reformatted and reinstalled the 98 machine, I see what you mean.

The XP machine is giving me some problems, it was setup to be a server for a network (a small 3 computer network), it had 3 partitions and it listed very oddly in KillDisk's menu. I ran Killdisk on each partition and the whole drive reads 0's, like it should. Now I can't get it to reformat. I'm using a boot disk that I got from one of the post's and it did the 98 machine with no problems, but it doesn't want to work on the XP machine. I plan on trying two things, 1) make a new boot disk and see if it works (I think I may had damamged the one I used on the 98 machine. 2) if all else fails I'll just install the HD into one of my other computers and reformat from there.
Thanks for all your help.

[trulad]

Boot from the XP cd and it will format & partition the drive and install.Set your BIOS to CD as first boot device.
trulad

[Llorrac]

Thanx Trulad, I hadn't even thought about that.