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| | | Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/21/2008 8:58 AM
Posts: 155, Visits: 1,896 |
| Hi,
I tried to install XP Pro SP2 on my laptop and somehow my product key was no good. I first reformated my hard drive and Windows installation begun but I had to get out since the product key was invalid.
I finally noticed I had the wrong disk. When I finally found the right disk with the right key, the old installation kept on coming back where I left it. How can I start all over again, with the reformating and reinstallation from scratch? I really don't know how to do this. Is there a special command at reboot? Do I have to put the CD in or not? I'm not sure anymore since it's been years since I've tried this.I'm stuck at the product key prompt. There's no cancel showing, what so ever.
Thank you for your help. |
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| | | Forum Moderator
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Last Login: 8/7/2008 6:47 PM
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| Do I have to put the CD in or not?
Yes Boot form it. It should see an existing installation (and if it doesnt then format the partition) if it does I would delete that partition then create a new one. Should be fine from that point forward.
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/21/2008 8:58 AM
Posts: 155, Visits: 1,896 |
| | Yes but how to delete the partitions since I can't do anything? |
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/21/2008 8:58 AM
Posts: 155, Visits: 1,896 |
| | You don't understand. I can't do anything. Whenever I boot from the CD, it automatically brings me back to where I was in the installation and prompts me for the product key. It doesn't reset. How to start from scratch? Will I have to find a program to completely wipe my hard drive from any existing Windows traces? |
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Senior Forum Advisor
Group: Senior Advisor
Last Login: 8/8/2008 7:33 PM
Posts: 1,396, Visits: 775 |
| Whenever you "boot" from the CD, it always stops at the F8 to Agree screen. It never goes directly to that point. I don't believe you are actually booting from the CD. Whenever the computer is starting to boot, keep pressing F8 until a box appears that asks what device to boot from, then select the CD drive and you should be good to go. 
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/21/2008 8:58 AM
Posts: 155, Visits: 1,896 |
| | I'll try it again a little later and I'll be back. Thanks |
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/21/2008 8:58 AM
Posts: 155, Visits: 1,896 |
| | My computer wasn't really booting from the CD!!! I really thought it was! I haven't done anything special this time and the computer booted from the CD and I've managed to reinstall XP. But now, I'm having trouble establishing my Internet connection. Isn't it supposed to cinfigure itself? |
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