if my HD is dead do i have to buy a new XP program or

[PassNthru]

or can i get another copy of the one that came in the computer, Compaq Preserio, 3 yrs old, there is a sticker with the XP registration # on the case..

just grasping for straws.. thanks

[Foosa]

If you can borrow the cd from somebody and install it, then you will have to call MS to get the registration number reactivated so you can register it.

But is the registration number for xp sp2 or xp sp1?

[PassNthru]

it is sp1... it is probably 4 year old computer.. but being in rural North Carolina it is my connection to the real world....

i bought a SimpleTech external hard drive, 480 MB/sec transfer, the box says it can quickly and easily back an entire computer.. i hope that means the windows program too

it says it is formatted to NTFS.. and for full read/write access from both mac and windows to format the drive using FAT22 file format. for information on formating refer to the documentation provided with your computers operating system... can i use the operating older HP to do that.. before i try to raise the dead one.

i am really grateful for the help, i have a bad back and my workers comp is following me like a bad rash.. its hard to find work, one guy called me back and said he wanted to hire me but workers comp providers really play hard ball, he said they called him and said they had no problem insuring me, but if they did, they would cancel his other 27 policies and reschedule the policies. i haven't really had a job longer than a month or two in 5 years.. they have called me up on the 30th day before i left for work and layed me off because they forgot the evening before.. that was apparently the day they got the call from the insurance company.. it was the day my insurance was supposed to start.. but i had declined it trying to prevent being layed off.. so i am pinching pennies.. i make some meditation benches for people with bad backs.. and other things.. on my own.. i really appreciate the help here

[glc]

If the computer did not come with a restore CD, it came with a utility to make your own. If you didn't do that, you are out of luck. You can buy a restore CD from HP/Compaq for certain models cheaper than a new retail or OEM copy of XP, I'd check that first.

[mojo]

It doesn't have to do with the service pack, it has to do with the specific version of windows XP you have. Believe it or not, between home/pro and retail/oem/upgrade and a few other variations, there are 9 permutations of windows XP. If you can get ahold of the correct one you can use your license to re-install. If not, you're out of luck.