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Windows XP forum: need to find the correct disc for win xp installation...

by: dyce003 July 2, 2012 2:31 AM PDT

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need to find the correct disc for win xp installation...

by dyce003 - 7/2/12 2:31 AM

Hello, I work at a motel and we have a dell dimension e521 sitting in our lobby. The previous owners of the motel did not leave us with the amin account password so I need to reinstall win xp. I have been searching online for the compatible win xp disk and I think I found it but being a noob that I am, I am not entirely sure. So I ask you guys if this cd will reinstall win xp correctly on dell dimension e521.
Dell dimension version of win--------> win xp pro 2002 sp2 v2096
The new win xp cd that i think would work.-----> Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 (Service Pack 3) Pro COA CD Full Version
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Windows-XP-Professional-SP3-Service-Pack-3-Pro-COA-CD-Full-Version-/140787142318?pt=US_Operating_Systems_Software&hash=item20c7914eae#ht_500wt_1204


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Re: password

by Kees_B Moderator - 7/2/12 2:47 AM

In Reply to: need to find the correct disc for win xp installation... by dyce003

Although it doesn't hurt to have an XP CP, I'd try two alternatives first:
1. Boot into Safe Mode, and try the (normally hidden) user "administrator". By default it doesn't have a password, and most people don't add it. If it works, you can change all other passwords as you like.
2. Download a program called ntpasswd from http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/ and reset the password you don't know now.

Both alternatives are free.

Kees


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Two other possibilities

by Jimmy Greystone - 7/2/12 7:02 AM

In Reply to: need to find the correct disc for win xp installation... by dyce003

Two other possibilities would be that there is a recovery partition on the computer which contains all the files needed to restore the OS. Hit F12 when first booting the system until you see a message about the one time boot menu. Then see if there is some sort of recovery related option. If not, then contact Dell, give them the service tag for the system, and see if they can send you a copy of the restore media.

Not only will it be cheaper than anything you find online, but they'll send you the drivers disc as well. Most of the drivers will need to be updated, but it'll at least be enough to get you started. Many people forget about this step, or are under the mistaken impression that Windows does all of this for them, and so run into trouble when trying to reinstall Windows. Plus, if the system you have has a SATA HDD, then Dell's restore disc will almost certainly take that into account. Another issue that trips up a great many people when trying to install XP... XP was made before SATA existed, so the installer has no concept of SATA, requiring special handling.


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