Thanks for this and the other responses. I won't try to use the T41p recovery disks for this.
I have to admit the whole nLite process looks way too complicated for me to get a single machine up and running again, I think (hope) it will be easier just to install Win XP then the few apps they had running. Famous last words, I know. Are those TipAndTrick links reliable? They provide MD5 and/or SHA1 values but I guess I'd need to know what they should be, to know if these are unmodified? I did find my Action Pack coy of the XP Pro CD, unfortunately I then realized I needed XP Home :( and I was also in the process of deciding whether to keep the MAP subscription going, it would be cheap for a larger firm but I'm not sure it's saving me anything. Thanks again for the help, if there's a better place to get XP Home (than T&T) or if someone can confirm the MD5/SHA1 values, I'd appreciate it. -- Andrew mailto:[email protected] Friday, April 15, 2011, 2:35:46 PM, you wrote: > 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 _______________________________________________ Thinkpad mailing list [email protected] http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad
