I’m about to restore my computer to its factory defaults. I’m concerned about the reinstallation of Windows XP because, if I remember correctly, it requires registration. So how do I go about this?
Depends on how your computer was set up at the factory. If you’ve an option to restore it all to default, Windows ought to still be on there. If it’s a Dell, the OEM disc should recognize your Dell motherboard, and not require you to go online to register at all.
Ok, I have a Sony Vaio and it came with XP. Hopefully my comp is as you describe (which sounds right, I don’t recall having to do any registering upon purchase). Thanks.
XP Home:
start: H
Input in search box: license
Read the part about how to back up your license. Easy.
Handy, you sorta lost me. Start: H?
Do you have a restore disk? Or the actual Windows XP disk?
If the latter…why not a [repair?](http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How to Repair Windows XP by Installing Over top of Existing Setup:)
I have the restore disk. And Daizy, it’s not a matter of restoring just XP, I just want a totally clean system and restoring is a nice little way of doing that. Thanks though.
What they meant to say was hit the Windows key on your keyboard, then hit the letter H. This will invoke the “Help and Support Center”
You won’t find the answer there, however. Here’s how to back up and re-install your Windows XP Product Activation codes:
When you click on the Start icon & then push the button on your keyboard with an H on it, it should open up the support center. This is for XP Home, I have Pro on another computer, I suppose it might be the same, but who knows? This is just a keyboard shortcut.
“Backing up and restoring licenses
If you reinstall or upgrade the operating system, you should back up your licenses before reinstalling or upgrading. You should also periodically back up your licenses to a floppy disk in case they should become lost or corrupted”
Minor picky-nit… I should have mentioned last night that the Windows Product Activation is a different item than the licenses mentioned above. The licenses are for Media Player.