Retaining Original Windows XP after changing HDD

[nsbindra]

Hi all!
I have a Compaq Presario 3600AP desktop bought abut 5 years back with the following configuration:-
Abit 845 mobo
P4 1.5 GHz (Socket478, 400 MHz)
128 MB SDRAM
16 MB Nvidia Vanta
20 GB HDD
Original Windows XP Home Edition

I later on added an 80 GB HDD and 1 X 512 MB and 1 X 128 MB RAM sticks. The OS is updated to SP2 std and has other updates from windows site too.

The computer came with a recovery CD, which probably is not working now. The recovery data is in the recovery CD and partition D of the HDD, which is about 1 GB.

Now i want to upgrade my computer in two phases. In the first phase, i want to install a new HDD (Probably 160 GB or the current 80 GB, presently working as slave). and later on i want to change the Mobo, Processor and RAM.

I have another original CD of Windows XP home (borrowed from a friend). Of course i have the original key of the OS with which the Computer came loaded.

How do i go about it? I will copy my data to be transterred on to new HDD. But i also want to save my emails and favourites (in the IE). Please advise. What about the drivers? BSNL broadband settings? Any other suggestion to go about the process. Help will be greatly appreciated. Thanx.

Koi expert to reply do yaar!!!!!!

[Charan]

I guess OEM keys wont work with retail version of XP and viceversa... use magic jelly bean key finder to get your actual/correct key installed on your system this will not be the same as in the COA sticker.

[nsbindra]

Yes, u r absolutely right. The key given by the jkey finder and the one written on the COA are different. So how do i proceed? Thanx for ur time.

[Charan]

sorry for the delay .. was away from computer.
Now lets see.. As XP comes in different flavours.. like XP home , XP pro and in that we have retail , OEM and enterprise versions .. AFAIK even the media will also be different.

Now as you have a OEM key I bet this wont work when you try to enter the OEM key in when asked during installation.

Your only option could be to get another OEM CD from a friend and try using that with your key.

Please check with MVP's of this forum for more information ..

[nsbindra]

^^Thanx for the reply. By OEM CD u mean the recovery CD which came with the computer? (That was the only CD given at the time of purchase and i had used a number of times earlier) And the recovery CD did not need any key and it will just estore the computer to the factory settings.
Ithink whuy this CD is not working now is because SP2 is loaded and it detects a later version of Windows and refuses to proceed. How can I remove SP2? I will then try to use my restore CD.

And how to save my Emails and favourites.
Thanx again for ur time.

[ravi_9793]

I will suggest you to.........
1) Install you windows XP home edition with any key.After that change your product key using these steps:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874

2) Validate your windows XP from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/


Also don't activate your windows XP during time of installation.Follow these steps:
1) navigate to in your current windows XP.
%systemroot%\system32 folder.

2) copy wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files in any pendrive/ CD/ floppy.

3) Reinstall windows XP, and decline to activate windows at time of installation.

4) Restart computer , and boot in safe mode using F8

5)
Navigate to
%systemroot%\system32
rename existing wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files to anything.

6) Copy paste your old backed files(wpa.dbl and wpa.bak ) from pendrive/CD/floppy to this folder.

7) Restart your system Done.

[Charan]

^^ You are right about the activation files ravi .. but I didnot suggest it before cause I thought changing HDD will require one to reactivate the copy.

[nsbindra]

^^ Thanx for ur help. What I did was to use a friend's CD to format the existing HDD (20 GB) and reinstalled the Windows XP. I have not yet activated the Windows (The baloon keeps popping up to reactivate). I have both the keys :-
1. the one which was on the original COA (pasted on the CPU)
2. and the one found by the jelly bean key finder from the previous installation.
N.B. Both are different.

During this installation, the OS did not ask for any key. However on checking with jellybean key finder,after the full installation, a key is displayed (which of course is different from the keys mentioned bove).

I did back up wpa.dbl. However there was no file as wpa.bak in system32. Now, how do i proceed from here to restore my original windows. Should I activate on the telephone by quoting the key printed on the COA? (in that case, what is the toll free number of MS India) Or u suggest some other (better) method.

In the configuration of the computer as bought about five years back, the following addituions have been made.
1. Additional RAM
2. Another HDD of 80 GB
3. Installed a CD writerin addition to the factory installed CD ROM drive.

Thanx once more for ur time and help.

[ravi_9793]

^^^^^^^^^
you can try either of the method mentioned above or call microsoft.

[nsbindra]

Please explain in slightly greater detail. In what order shud i proceed?

I need to do two things
1. Revert to my original key

2. And activate the windows.

Thanx.

[ravi_9793]

1) change your key to old key using method mention here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874

2) restore your backed files (wpa.dbl and wpa.bak)

3) Now verify your windows genuine here:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/
If your windows is verified as genuine ..than U are done !!