- NEW!
by pawzisme on April 1st, 2010
if you have an OEM computer then you may be OK. it is all to do with the PID's that come with the disk. Dell has its own particular numbers ( for instance) so if you install a Dell OEM XP operating system on a non-OEM machine, chances are you will hit problems when you try to activate the machine.
If the machine is an OEM but did not come with a disk in the first place, then chances are it has the system files stored on a hidden partition which you can access by pressing one of the F keys at boot - maybe F10 or F12. That will bring up a menu giving you options on what kind of restore or re-install you want to go for.
by level headed on November 20th, 2009
I wouldn't. Even if you have the same OS (XP home or pro) you'll have duplicate files. This would slow the system down even more. I would add more memory to your PC. If you have a small processor, like 1.8GHz, that can also be a problem. If I were to buy the OEM I would install it on a new hard drive. The holidays are coming. You should be able to pick up something nice for less than 500 dollars. Save your money.
How can I put three pictures into one (merge them one next to the other) on the computer?
by JC85cap on January 24th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
How Many Computers Do You Currently Have In Your Home?
by tfranchise2k on January 19th, 2012
| 2 people like this
Which technical documents are common in the Information Technology field?
by johnson.evan11 on January 29th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
When computers become sentient will they think of engineers as their gods?
by Ombliss22 on January 21st, 2012
| 6 people like this
My Dell Computer sound isn't working. I've used troubleshoot and nothing worked. Help!
by tabitha.mccaskill on January 25th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
You're reading I have a PC that's a few years old, and is sluggish. I want to reinstall XP, but it didn't come with the CD. They sell "OEM" full versions of XP SP3 on Ebay/Amazon/etc for about $80. Can I install that over the top of an existing XP?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
Thanks! Since asking this question, I found the Windows CD that came with it. It was in a plastic baggie buried under a bunch of junk in my computer case. It's an HP laptop, and I'd just as soon have generic MS XP than the HP branded XP anyway.
by HungryGuy on April 1st, 2010