Need help installing xp pro on my former vista laptop

[vistaisevil]

Hello all you computer gurus. I have an xp desktop computer and a newly-dead vista laptop (hp pavillion dv9500). My laptop hard drive died so I bought a replacement off of newegg and now I need to put an os on it. I no longer have my xp pro cd. So I guess my first question is can I use nlite to create an installation cd using files from my current installation of xp pro on my desktop or will I have to create an installation cd through some other means as my first step?

Thanks a bunch and I'll check back here often.

[johnhc]

vistaisevil, to use nLite and this forum you need to have a legal, valid copy of Windows with a legal and valid key. There is no way to create one of these without buying it. Please see the forum rules at the top of the page. Enjoy, John.

[vistaisevil]

Now I have another reason to hate my ex. I haven't seen it since she left which means she probably took it with her.

My copy of xp pro on my desktop is legitimate. I can't create an installation cd out of it? All I have is a windows 98 2nd edition and I don't see how it would be useful at all.

[Kelsenellenelvian]

It depends really, Scoure your harddrive for a folder called "I386" if there is one then. yes you probably could.

If not then no there is really no way.

Also 1 more thing your going to HAVE to choose which pc you want the install on as the serial is good onlly for 1 installation.

Edited November 24, 2009 by Kelsenellenelvian

[vistaisevil]

I have 7 different i386 folders and an i386 .dll file. They are in the following:

c:windows/driver cache

c:windows/servicepackfiles

c:windows/servicepackfiles/servicepackcache

c:program files/java/jre1.6.0_13/lib

c:program files/java/jre6/lib

c:programfiles/common files/apple/mobile device support/bin

c:windows/system32/reinstallbackups/0002/driverfiles

c:windows/system32/reinstallbackups/0003/driverfiles

As for picking a location, I definitely choose my laptop. Aside from needing it for work, it's a much better computer than this desktop. I believe the term for my desktop is "dinosaur".

Thanks for the help! I'm assuming those "reinstallbackups" are the files I'll need to use?

[Guest]

reinstallbackups is old drivers. This is what you need: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16832116515 or perhaps check ebay but who knows how trustworthy those are.

[vistaisevil]

All taken care of. Thanks for the help!