reinstalling the correct xp version

[c3media]

I have many many PCs, each with its respective copy of XP Home. I like to reformat my hard drive 'every so often' to have a clean machine. My problem is that I never know exactly which version I installed (which Service pack) and which XP Home edition to install. In almost every case, the serial number on the side of the PC doesn't tell me which version.

How can I determin exactly which version of XP is running on my PC and how can I match it with the correct XP CD-RO?
thanks.

 

[rvnguy]

c3media,

Create a system, write to a txt file all pertinent info

Key, pc ser#, CD # (one that you assign and note on the CD/sleeve), etc, etc.

Keep it all in some file system. Keep the txt file on the PC & print a copy to keep with the CD.

This works but you need to start from the beginning. Now it is like being lost & having a compass but you never took a bearing to begin with.

Hope this will help your future

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[linney]

This free program will tell you which version of Windows, which Service Pack, and which Product Key, is on your machine, plus a lot more.

Belarc Advisor:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

 

[rvnguy]

Good point linney..

Poster still needs to start a system of retaining this data in the event that he needs to re-install and can not belarc or? to extract this info.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[c3media]

what if it's already too late, Windows won;t restart and I need to do a Repair reinstall.

If I take out the hard drive and piggy-back it onto another PC, is there soewhere I can look to find out which version of Windows is on the hard drive? thanks.

 

[linney]

It could be a process of elimination. 9 working machines out of 10. Run Belarc 9 times on the working machines. Write the Product Keys down for each machine and compare it with a list of known Product Keys with available CD's.


On another machine with the faulty drive installed load the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/WindowsNT/CurrentVersion/ Look at "ProductName" and "BuildLab" and "CurrentBuildNumbers" values

Thes two articles in the RegEdit Help are a good explanation of the process.

To load a hive into the registry
To unload a hive from the registry