How to Install the OEM Version
Windows XP Professional
Last updated: 6/18/02
Q. How Do You
Install the Windows XP Pro OEM Version from the DOS Prompt?
A. I install it on a new computer (or hard
disk drive taken down to "bare metal") from the DOS prompt with
a Windows 98 Startup floppy (http://duxcw.com/digest/Fromshop/software/windows/startup/startup.htm).
Put a copy of smartdrv.exe on the Startup floppy. You should be able to find
a copy on and existing Windows 9x/Me computer at C:\windows. It is on the
CD’s in D:\win98. Boot to the floppy
and use fdisk to partition the drive (the process the same as that at http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/software/windows/upgrade/fdisk.htm.
Format the C: drive. Do not install the system files. If you have more than
one partition, they can be formatted during the Windows XP installation or
with Windows XP after it is installed. Also, use fdisk to manually make C:
active if there is more one partition. Load smartdrv.exe…
A:\>smartdrv.exe
.and run D:\i386\winnt.exe, where D: is your CD-ROKM drive.
Do not delete or reformat C: with this method. Winnt.exe
copies the install files to that partition. You can convert it to NTFS and
that process is fast. It should also work if the i386 directory is
copied to a scratch hard disk and the hard disk is connected to the secondary
IDE interface.
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer = a company that
makes/markets computers (and parts), etc. which include parts made by other
companies, and not the “original” manufacturer as OEM implies, just masquerading
as one. Licenses of OEM versions of Windows, etc. software are sold
to computer manufactures for installation on new computers. They are
full versions of Windows, not upgrades. They are widely available on
the "grey market" and Internet and cost considerably less than
retail full versions. Just be careful not to purchase a pirated copy.
Windows XP FAQ Index
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Also, see Windows
Tips and Tricks.
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