I also recommend *nLite* to produce your own Microsoft Windows XP SP3 with Dell Drivers (and even automatic Product Key entry for unattended) installation disk. When rebuilding Dells, I provide such a disk to the user so the tedious work is already done in case re-installation is necessary. I don't have a stable link for a WXPSP3 iso, but they are usually available from file download sites or via torrents. The one I used was NOT a cracked version and also did NOT include a CD-key--in an effort to reduce potential exposure to malware. Of course, thoroughly check anything you download. Here is one source from the *Tip and Trick Tips and Tricks on Computing, Technology and Gadgets* web site: http://www.tipandtrick.net/2008/download-unmodified-original-windows-xp-with-sp3-integrated-full-retail-and-vl-install-cd-iso-image-from-msdntechnet-plus-via-http-or-torrent/comment-page-9/ <quote> *Microsoft has released Windows XP with Service Pack 3 integrated<http://www.tipandtrick.net/2008/windows-xp-sp3-with-service-pack-3-full-installation-cd-iso-image-relased-on-msdntechnet/>or slipstreamed as full bootable setup installation CD in ISO image format to MSDN or TechNet Plus subscribers. As usual, the ISO images for many versions of Windows XP with SP3 CD or DVD ISO images have been leaked to Internet for free download. Here’s a collection of unmodified, untouched and original copy of official integrated Windows XP with SP3 slipstreamed ISO images as if when the CD images are downloaded from MSDN or TechNet Plus servers.* </quote> The result is a complete and up-to-date version of XP SP3 (better than the crippled Dell version) with all Dell hardware drivers (and unattended autoinstall of Product Key, if desired) and without any OEM bloatware, crapware, etc. If you burn your install disk to a DVD (greater capacity), then you can even include auto installation of your standard utilities and applications onto the same disk for a complete, fresh system rebuild disk. Good luck.
On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 11:34 PM, Andrew Webber <[email protected]>wrote: > Thanks, those are good tips. I googled before I posted and found a few > Windows isos but none of the sites looked particularly reputable (nor > disreputable but nothing that I wanted to trust). Can you recommend a > site for getting Win XP isos? > > Also, if I could find the Win XP disks from my Microsoft Action Pack > (?) subscription, would that media be okay to install on this desktop? > On a ThinkPad? In both cases, with the specific product key of course. > I realize it wouldn't have all the specific drivers, but if it could > get online even with a cable, eventually it should have everything? > > Thanks again! > > -- > Andrew mailto:[email protected] > > Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 6:38:26 PM, you wrote: > > > A big difference will be the DELL specific hardware drivers. Also, most > old > > Dell versions of MS Windows tend to be crippled (not all features > enabled). > > And the T41p recovery disks also include the original Think Vantage > software > > which won't work on the Dell. > > > (1) The easiest approach is to download from the DELL web site the > drivers > > specific to your desktop machine. Your desktop case should have a > sticker > > with the machine model number, often close to the Windows genuine Product > > Key sticker--use that to reach a page with all DELL original and > subsequent > > drivers for the product line that includes your machine. > > (2) Then install a clean copy of Windows XP. ISOs of full Microsoft > > versions for Windows XP SP2 (as opposed to Dell versions) are freely > > available on the web. During installation use the Windows Product Key on > > your desktop. If you can't find a full XP SP3 version, download the SP3 > > update from Microsoft and install that after installing the SP2 version. > > (3) Then install the Dell drivers for the hardware included in your > machine > > (typically Dell machines will not have installed all hardware for all > > drivers listed on the page, for example, alternative hardware options). > > > This installs a better version of Windows (the full Microsoft version) > than > > the original Dell version together with Dell hardware drivers. I have > used > > this method to rebuild several Dell machines, both desktop and laptop. > Good > > luck. > > > On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 4:37 PM, Andrew Webber <[email protected] > >wrote: > > >> I need to do a complete reinstall of Win XP on a desktop machine, > >> unfortunately the only media we have are Windows Vista (must have been > >> bought with the Win XP upgrade pre-installed). I think the desktop is > >> a Dell. > >> > >> The only media I can find handy are a set of Win XP recovery disks for > >> my T41p. Can I use those? Of course I'd use the desktop's product key > >> from the sticker on the case, but is there likely anything in the T41 > >> disks that would prevent this? > >> > >> Thanks! > >> > >> -- > >> Andrew mailto:[email protected] > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Thinkpad mailing list > >> [email protected] > >> http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad > >> > > _______________________________________________ > > Thinkpad mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad > > _______________________________________________ > Thinkpad mailing list > [email protected] > http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad > _______________________________________________ Thinkpad mailing list [email protected] http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad
