? about installing new OS and keeping previously installed programs

[gulfcoastliberal]

I bought a laptop from Ebay )HP Pavilion ZV5000) that has an apparently bootlegged version of XP Pro (MS website won't allow SP installations). If I cough up the dough to install a "legit" new XP Pro OS, will my previously installed programs such as ZonealarmPro, AVG Pro, etc. be deleted when I remove the old OS and install the new one?

Also, would someone please guide me through removing the old OS and installing the new one?

Thank you!! (I'm tired of not having USB 2.0 an am ready to purchase a legit copy of xp pro.) Thanks again for any advice.

edited title for clarity.

[SlackJawedYokel]

1. You don't have to actually install it.

Just the new key.
Assuming that your install is stable.

I just got a legit OEM copy of XP Pro for $140 from ZipZoomFly.

If you *want* to install a fresh copy, then yea, you'll have to reinstall and re-set progs like ZA and AVG.
Sorry.
No way around that.(well, there kinda is, but it's iffy and I've never done one)

Also, would someone please guide me through removing the old OS and installing the new one?
First, back up *everything dear to you*.
That includes your bookmarks and any other information lurking in your Program File foldrers... useful data from software, etc.
If you don't have a second hard drive, then burn it to disk.
Next, collect all of the pertinent drivers for your computer and burn those to disk too.
Will save you having to DL them later.

After you've secured all of your relavent information simply pop the Windows disk into the tray and begin the install.
You will format the C drive and install a fresh copy of XP.
Do the registration dance and start reloading your software.
Once you have it like you want it, Ghost a copy as backup... that way if something catastrophic happens, you've always got a good clean install ready.

You can find many, many sites that provide step-by-step instructions, but feel free to ask for clarification.

(I'm tired of not having USB 2.0 an am ready to purchase a legit copy of xp pro.)
Are you certain this is because of the OS?
If you were upgrading from W98 or somesuch I can understand, but even a pirated copy of XP should support USB 2.0.
You might want to check your computer specs.

Cletus

[gulfcoastliberal]

2. Thank you so much!

I appreciate it!

[gulfcoastliberal]

3. Oh! I think all I need to do is the reg key thing. Regarding USB 2.0 -

The system is stable, so I'll just purchase a copy for the reg key for access to SP1/SP2 - which includes the USB 2.0 drivers - and if that doesn't work I'll take your advice and do a fresh OS install. My copy of XP Pro is Version 2002. Microsoft XP & XP Pro OS' did not natively support USB 2.0 and MS didn't release USB 2.0 drivers until 2/02, so the previous owner probably couldn't install the drivers when they were on the windows update site since MS only had it on windows update for a little while - until they released XP SP1 / XP ProSP1; & the SP1 download required the product key, product validation, etc. My machine was built in 2004, so no SP1 or SP2 is installed, thus no USB 2.0 drivers... I've asked for them (2.0 drivers) here before but no-one has ever replied. Maybe because it isn't possible w/o at least the SP1 downlaod.

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+releases+USB+2.0+drivers/2110-1040_3-828065.html
http://www.usbman.com/USB%202%20News.htm

Edited for clarity

[SlackJawedYokel]

4. Ah... ok, I 'd forgotten that.

You *can* DL just Service Packs without going through Microsofts Windows Update.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Popular.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=7
http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/updates/#WindowsXP

But at this point, if I were you, I'd make the investment and get a valid disk.

Good luck.
Cletus

[gulfcoastliberal]

5. I think I will buy it. Also, thanks for the website reference... NT

[FormerDittoHead]

6. It may not be bootlegged...

I'd be surprised if HP sold a NOTEBOOK without Windows. For my HP notebook, the key was printed INSIDE under the BATTERY ( you have to remove the battery to see it ).

This whole Genuine Advantage thing has created a lot of discussions about Microsoft methods.

For example, there is something floating around called "trixie".

And there's this page of discussion on the issue:
http://www.extended64.com/blogs/rafael/archive/2005/07/27/1026.aspx

There's a new free service which allows you to use Firefox for updates:
http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/

...which I have no experience with, but it's designed to let you use Firefox to run your updates, rather than IE. It does it by using a plugin (much like the MS update plugin) and works as a go-between between you and MS - they download the updates which are then available to you from their website.

Instead of Windows updates, personally, I would:
1) get a hardware firewall - they're not expensive like < $30 (Dlink firewall router) (or a free software firewall if dial up)

2) stop using IE, Outlook and Windows Media player and use Firefox, Thunderbird, Winamp and Gabest's "Media Player Classic".

3) run a free virus scanner (look in this forum) only while working with your email or before opening any new files, esp email.

This is what I do, I don't update my Window boxes (going on 5 pc's here) and I don't have any problems with stability, etc. Otherwise, except for security updates (which the firewall, virus scanner and Firefox will give you), the updates will only give you updated versions of IE, Outlook and Media player, none of which I would recommend using.

SOMEHOW Bill Gates managed to become the richest man in the world before the "Geniune Advantage" - now he's just gouging. He should be LOWERING the price of Windows, not raising it...

PS: I'm running Linux on two of my PCs as it is and using OpenOffice as well. Many, many people really don't do much more than what those things offer for free.

[gulfcoastliberal]

7. I'm with you on Firefox, Thunderbird, etc

I only upgraded zonealarm and avg because I think they are good companies for offering free firewalls and virus scanners. My wireless router has some kind of Stateful Packet firewall but I feel much more secure with Zonealarm Pro - although it now has some unnecessary bells and whistles like a new spyware scanner (which I've found to be useless) and cookie manager, neither of which I use. AVG Pro updates itself every day and has found several virii in the past and disposed of them no problem.

However, the reason I think my XP Pro is bootlegged is cause the HP CDs I got with the computer say MS XP, not XP Pro. But thanks for the battery advice; I will try that tomorrow and see if I can at least download SP1 (or SP2 if I have too) simply for the USB 2.0 drivers. It's absolutely driving me bonkers with my Corsair 1gb flash voyager USB drive when I plug it in and get a "hi speed device plugged into a non hi-speed port" message, especially when doing larger file transfers. Also thanks for the firefox update site - I'll also give it a whirl. I do so hate having to go to my start menu and launch IE to access MS. And you are certainly right about "genuine advantage" - what an insult. Totally aggravating.

Thanks again for all the info.

Respectfully,

GulfCoastLiberal

spelling/grammar edit

[SlackJawedYokel]

8. Oh wait.

You might just have a legit version of XP but not the *hardware* for USB 2.0.
That bit has nothing at all to do with XP, but with your motherboard.
The only solution for that I can think of is to get a USB 2.0 PCI card... maybe $20.

Cletus

[gulfcoastliberal]

9. Negative. Per the HP ZV5000 manual, this thing supports USB 2.0

(It also has a firewire port)

Connecting a USB Device

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a hardware interface that can be
used to connect external devices such as a USB keyboard, mouse,
drive, printer, scanner, or hub to the notebook. A hub is a
connecting device that can be either powered or unpowered.
Optional USB hubs can be connected to a USB connector on
the notebook or on an optional HP Notebook Expansion Base, or
to other USB devices. Hubs can support several USB devices.

■ Powered hubs must be connected to external power.
■ Unpowered hubs must be connected either to a USB
connector on the notebook or to a port on a powered hub.

The USB connectors support USB 2.0 and earlier devices.
Some USB devices might require additional support software,
which is usually included with the device. For more information
and software installation instructions, refer to the documentation
included with the device.
Identifying the two USB connectors on the left side and the one USB
connector on the right side

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00090106.pdf

[SlackJawedYokel]

10. Thought of this while I was out running.

In case you've not fixed this problem.
Try checking in your bios to see if USB is enabled... or perhaps on the MB via a jumper.

Cletus

[gulfcoastliberal]

12. I've thrown in the towel and plunked down the $140 for a legit XP Pro

Thanks again for all your help. Is backing up drivers like the broadcom wireless modem stuff and ATI display drivers essential? Would I get a (horror of horrors) black screen if I reformatted and installed this new copy of XP Pro without these drivers (or even if backed up on CD would the display work)? I've read the upstream reformatting threads but I am a little paranoid. Is the display stuff kept in ROM like BIOS?

I've found this site that explains reformatting an NTFS drive - do you think their advice is correct? I think I'm just getting nervous and this should be easier than I'm thinking but you never know... If you have time, would you please let me know what you think of their advice?
Thanks again!!

http://www.cyberwalker.net/faqs/reinstall-reformat-winxp/reformat-NTFS-XP.html

[salvorhardin]

11. You'd be surprised too

at how much Windows stuff runs under Wine (or Crossover Office, the commercial version of Wine) and how well.