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I have a computer system in a vacation home that runs on W2000. Having problems with operating system (related to earlier post about inability to connect to internet). I have a reinstallation CD for XP that came with another computer. I plan on using this to upgrade to XP and hopefully fix my internet connection problem.

My question; do I just load the reinstallation CD into the drive and follow the directions on the screen? I have never upgraded or reinstalled an operating system before in my 23 years of using PCs.

Hi is the XP and XP upgrade CD or full verson of XP? Do you need the data off the old 2000 PC?

The CD is still in its original shrink wrap and is titled "reinstallation CD" and is the XP home edition including service pack 1a. I will review data on the hard drive and copy anything I need to save. Would it help to format the hard drive first?

If this is a full instillation CD of XP then you have to set first boot device in BIOS/Setup to CD rom put in XP disk F10 save and exit.Follow instructions on the screen.

How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP

Hmmm; not sure if I need to set to boot from a CD. The computer starts okay. Can I just start the computer and then start the CD from the D: drive?

If this is a FULL install disk then no you need to enter BIOS and set first boot to CD rom put in disk etc.

If this is only and UPGRADE disk then you can logon to the computer and then put in disk.

Is this a FULL or UPGRADE disk?

You also plan using a XP disk that came supplied with another computer do you have an XP key code to use to reformat this win 2000 pc?One key one computer.

On this win2000 pc have you updated your network card drivers?This maybe the issue of why you cannot connect to the internet.

The printing on the CD says "Reinstallation CD". Only use this CD to reinstall the operating system on a Dell Computer."

As far as the connection problem with the internet, I have already spent hours trying to solve the problem. I have replaced the NIC card with new drivers. I only consider the installation of a new operating system as an inexpensive way to solve the problem. I am having other problems with the OS. For example, when I go to control panel -network connections and select the current connection, I get an error message when I right-click on the connection and select properties.

So I felt if I upgrade to Windows XP, it might eliminate my problem. IF it doesn't I am really no worse off and will probably purchase a used PC to replace this one.