Install legal wx over non-genuine copy

[FalvinP]

A few years ago I bought a used Pentium 4 machine off of Craigs List. I was told that Windows xp professional had all the updates, which I took to mean that it was a legal copy of Windows. Soon after I bought the machine, Microsoft surreptitiously put the Genuine Advantage software on my machine. I then found out the copy of Windows was not legal. Naturally, when I confronted the seller about this he avoided all responsibility. Very soon after that, I built my first computer.

I still have the old machine and it seems to work properly. My question is………

Can I install a new oem copy of xp professional (currently $140 at Newegg) directly over the existing xp, or do I have to uninstall Windows, which means a reformat etc. and install xp cleanly?

If I can install over the existing Windows, would I have to install xp professional, since that’s what’s on the machine, or could I install the home version, which is $50 cheaper? I presume not, but it’s worth a shot…………

After doing a little research in PC Mech, I found a very informative article (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) on how reinstall using the recovery console, but I didn’t immediately see the answer to my questions above.

The reason I ask is that I’m not sure I have all the chipset drivers etc. for the MSI 865PE Neo2-P motherboard. I suppose they would still be available on the MSI site.

Thanks for your advice.

[glc]

If you have a legit key for XP Pro, you may be able to simply change the key with Magic Jellybean, reactivate, and be fine. If that doesn't work, then you should be able to do a repair install. You can't install XP Home over the top though, that would require a reformat.

Chipset drivers are no problem, the Intel Software Installation Utility is universal. The only things you may need to get from MSI are the sound and nic drivers.

[FalvinP]

I've decided to do a clean install of XP Home on this machine after I've done a reformat etc. I've just received the XP disk from Newegg.

This machine will not be connected to the internet, so I have to put everything on a disk or thumb drive and take to the other machine.

The board in the machine is an MSI MS-6728 2.00, which uses the Intel 865PE and ICH5 chipsets.

I've found the page on the Intel site for the 865PE chipset.

I started here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filt...s=45&submit=Go!

I believe I would need to download this file:

INF Update Utility - Primarily for Intel® 800 Series Chipsets (1541KB)
6.3.0.1007 12/16/2004
Did you just install the operating system? If you did not, then you do not need to install the Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility.

I then noticed the "download " link at the bottom of this section. Clicking through on this takes me to a download of the update utility.

When I click through from the previous link and select XP Home operating suystem it takes me here:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filt...s=45&submit=Go!

I've read the information on the page and am somewhat confused. Actually, I'm very confused.

Will this download also have the drivers for ICH5 chipset?

I'd really appreciate some guidance. Thanks.

[glc]

http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=dr...e&dno=2335&i=0

http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=dr...e&dno=2344&i=0

http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=dr...e&dno=2401&i=0

That's everything you need - chipset, audio, and lan. You will also need video card drivers.

[systempat]

You might want to connect that machine to the Internet. At least long enough to pick up mSoft updates, and possibly drivers. The current CD of the XP home will be current to SP2 or maybe SP3 but there are new updates every month. Some of the updates will improve things and patch bugs in the software. But at least half of them are for security fixes.
If you are not connected to the Net then the security patches probably are not really needed. But the other updates would be good.

Pat