EricBall's Tech Projects

When I reinstalled XP for someone, the USB keyboard wasn't enabled in the BIOS, so it didn't work unless Windoze was running. But without a keyboard, I couldn't update the BIOS, nor could I type anything to get Windows reinstalled. So I had to run home and grab a PS/2 keyboard just to get the OS installed. I'd bring one along just in case. And a laptop with a modem, for sure, just in case you need to get online.

 

I also had to call Microsoft to get an approval code or something like that. I can't remember what they asked me, but I was rather annoyed that I had to do all this. For this reason, I will never, ever, ever install XP or any future M$ product on any of my computers unless they stop this practice. When Win2k becomes annoyingly obsolete, I'm going 100% Linux and/or Mac.

Make sure that you install SP2 before conneting to the web.

When I reinstalled XP for someone, the USB keyboard wasn't enabled in the BIOS, so it didn't work unless Windoze was running. But without a keyboard, I couldn't update the BIOS, nor could I type anything to get Windows reinstalled. So I had to run home and grab a PS/2 keyboard just to get the OS installed. I'd bring one along just in case. And a laptop with a modem, for sure, just in case you need to get online.

Good point about the keyboard.

I also had to call Microsoft to get an approval code or something like that. I can't remember what they asked me, but I was rather annoyed that I had to do all this. For this reason, I will never, ever, ever install XP or any future M$ product on any of my computers unless they stop this practice. When Win2k becomes annoyingly obsolete, I'm going 100% Linux and/or Mac.

That's the Windows Produce Activation. There's a couple of files which need to be backed up and restored.

Make sure that you install SP2 before conneting to the web.

One advantage of high speed internet over dialup is you can use a NAT router/firewall. I'm bringing one with me for just that reason.

That's the Windows Produce Activation.

I guess all the apples, lettuce, and carrots I've ever bought must have been Linux, since I've never had to have MS activate my produce.