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Jan 25, 2004 | 02:45 PM

nymo

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Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 234

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From: Saskatchewan

Computer help needed

I've got an old IBM Thinkpad laptop (550 Mhz) that was licensed for Windows 98. I upgraded to Windows XP Home edition but didn't register it. Now it is froze up unless I register it. I don't want to waste the program as I am selling this one because I have a new laptop and don't use this one anymore.

Question: What proceedures do I need to follow to put it back to Windows 98? Any potential dangers I should watch for?

Thanks,

Fred

Jan 25, 2004 | 03:00 PM

Torque1st

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Joined: Sep 2001

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Reformat the hard drive and go! WXP-H is a waste of time anyway, similar to W-ME.

Jan 25, 2004 | 03:01 PM

FireHazard

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Joined: Feb 2003

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From: Kitimat, British Columbia

From the info i have read is that if you do not register xp it will not run right so you can either go through with the registration or format the system and install 98. Just make sure you have all the driver disk and software that you need before formating.

Jan 25, 2004 | 04:54 PM

gtex

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 6,175

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From: Texas

Laptops are an odd sort when it comes to drivers. It would be best to have a system restore CD that cam with the laptop.

I've never had success changing operating systems on laptops. They use a lot of proprietary hardware. The drivers just aren't as easy to get a hold of as with desktop systems.

IBM, will probably sell you a recovery disk for around $20-30.

Jan 25, 2004 | 05:09 PM

Duderoy

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As long as you have a win98 CD you can reformat the drive and reload windows. All you need is a start-up ( boot) disc.

Jan 25, 2004 | 08:02 PM

modru2004

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Joined: May 2003

Posts: 500

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From: Wichita Falls

Quote:

Originally posted by Torque1st
Reformat the hard drive and go! WXP-H is a waste of time anyway, similar to W-ME.

um, excluding windows xp pro and win 2k, windows xp home is the best operating system micro***** has comeout with. its is in not very similar to win me. win me is a dos based operating system and quite different from win xp. win me was a piece of crappola. ive put stuff in the toilet that have had more value.