Un-Installing a Priated Version of Windows XP Pro

Helllllo,

I am currently working on a buddy's computer and he has told me that he wants to get rid of his priated version of windows xp pro (or atleast i think its pro.. i can't remember and i'm away from the computer right now). It doesn't matter if I loose all the files on his hardrive.

How can I go about doing this?

After I uninstall the current OS how do I re-install the legit version of windows xp home that he purchased?

Thanks

 

Cleanest way is to backup personal files and reformat/reinstall, another way is to perform a repair install which i dont like/trust/recommend, but your mileage may vary

 

IMO, the only way to go.

If it is the Pro vers. currently installed I do not think a repair install using the Home vers. will work.

 

so basically you just reformat the hard drive and then there is nothing on the actual computer.

then you just put in the windows disk and it will know what to do?

 

That about sums it up. Make sure the BIOS are set to boot from the CD, should be by default. Then just follow the on screen instructions.

 

Step by step guide here

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

 

In addition to the above, in the case of possible prior rootkit infection, you would want to delete the partition(s) and re-create it/them before installing the OS.

 

If I had been running pirated software on a box, I would not put anything else on the drive until it has had all partitions deleted and met DBAN, ready for a true clean install.

 

Simple reformat will not remove rootkits?

 

Why it is necessary to erase the HD with DBAN, he is not going to sell the PC, just a reinstall of OS.

 

I always zero my harddisks, when I reinstall my computer from scratch and certainly after having a pirated version of Windows.
I don't use DBAN, I use a special tool provided by Western Digital but that doesn't make any difference.

 

What,s the adavantage over simple format?

 

I noticed once, that when I re-installed winXPproSP2 over an already installed harddisk, that the re-installation was shorter in time and that was for me enough to zero my harddisks first.

 

It seems that it is just ur feeling, not a fact.

May be it,s one of these things most of us do because atleast this practice satisfies us,

malware scanning
registry scanning
system tweaks( MS was not aware of these)
memory optimization
frequent defragging
erasing data permanantly( excluding privacy concerns)

etc, etc

I just wonder. I have very little knowledge!