windows xp home SP3

OK im going to rebuild a computer i destroyed. Im going to put a new HD in with 250GB. and install windows XP home with SP3. my question is. when i install XP is that all i need to do. will the computer be working like it i got it from the factory or do i need other software besides anti virus etc)

this is the OS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx? Item=N82E16832116511&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC- Froogle-_-Software+-+Operating+Systems-_-Microsoft-_- 32116511

That is a "Windows Disc"
Not a "Manufacturers Disc(or OEM)"

It will not have Antivirus or Windows Office, or other programs that might come with OEM disc's.

That disc will have Windows programs like paint, note pad, and others like that.

I use Win XP Pro 64bit (corporate(put on as many puters as I like)) But printer dont like it.
I also use Win Office 2002 With frontpage.

Programs I do Like are Avast Antivirus (free edition) or AVG, and pc booster and TCPOptimizer.
But I have many many many programs on my puter.

And an awesome lace to find free programs is http://download.cnet.com/windows/

now while it does not have office etc I think i still have the restore disks that i made. Would those add the extra programs onto it. this would be a fresh install on a brand new HD. sense its not the right one for building your own system which one is the right one. im not worried about anti virus software sense i don't use what comes with it. On my laptop I removed clamwin and installed avira anti virus which is what i will use on the desktop also.

What brand of puter do you have?

And if they are "restore disc's" then they should have windows and the programs your puter came with.

My brother has a Compaq and I dont know what he does but every few months he brings it to me cause windows doesnt work anymore and I put the restore disc in and It does everything including all the extra programs, and then i delete the programs he doesnt need and install the antivirus and a few other programs and back up and runnibg within 3 hours.

its a Compaq presireo model sr1738nx

Ok then the restore disc's should have windows and extra programs just when it was new, you dont need the other windows disc.

MyToyotaSucks wrote:

Ok then the restore disc's should have windows and extra programs just when it was new, you dont need the other windows disc.

but i still need to install XP first right. i just can't use the restore disks on a brand new blank harddrive.

lexmarks567 wrote:

MyToyotaSucks wrote:

Ok then the restore disc's should have windows and extra programs just when it was new, you dont need the other windows disc.

but i still need to install XP first right. i just can't use the restore disks on a brand new blank harddrive.

No you dont have to install XP first - The restore disc's will have XP and other programs your puter came with from the factory.

Install the new harddrive and then put your restore disc in the dvd drive and it should prompt you.

Just follow the prompts, it can take about 45 min to an hour.

MyToyotaSucks wrote:

lexmarks567 wrote:

MyToyotaSucks wrote:

Ok then the restore disc's should have windows and extra programs just when it was new, you dont need the other windows disc.

but i still need to install XP first right. i just can't use the restore disks on a brand new blank harddrive.

No you dont have to install XP first - The restore disc's will have XP and other programs your puter came with from the factory.

Install the new harddrive and then put your restore disc in the dvd drive and it should prompt you.

Just follow the prompts, it can take about 45 min to an hour.

ok got the dvd burner. I turned on the computer and the first thing that comes on the screen after the compaq logo is insert system disk. i insert the recovery CD the computer reads it and it says system installed or partition corrupted perform full system recovery(that's what im trying to do with the recovery disks). any ideas. is the new hard drive bad. i know the disks work cause i used them once before on the same computer. I even tried using the recover disks for my other computer which is the same model as this one get the same message.

ok figured it out sense the new screen is wide screen and the computer is rebuilt the image is cut off on the left so i didn't see the press r to perfrom full system recovery. its installing right now will let you know how it goes

computers are fun. LOL

Install the new harddrive and then put your restore disc in the dvd drive and it should prompt you...