Reinstalling operating system after wiping drive clean?

Question

I wiped my hard drive clean and now I need to install an operating system. The computer ran windows XP before and I do not have the reboot CD- can I buy Vista at the store and run it or do i have to buy XP and upgrade. The computer was bought in 2002.

Answer 1

If your computer has at minimum 1GB RAM and a 2.8Ghz CPU then you can run Vista. I still recommend you upgrade to about 2GB Ram though.

You don't need XP Installed to upgrade to Vista if your PC was wiped. All you need is the install disc of Vista.

I also suggest you get Home Premium. Ultimate is bit of a waste of money, Home Premium is more than good enough.

Answer 2

not recommended to use vista for 2002 comps.

2002 comps most probably will be around 512-1gb RAM.

reinstall back ur XP pro or home and get back all the driver.

you shouldn't had wipe ur OS.

just wipe the whole drive other than the OS.

there should be a option.

if you don't have the disc, just go and get 1 but it isn't cheap though.

but there should be a recovery disc for XP/

Answer 3

A computer bought in 2002 will probably run Vista quite poorly. I'd buy an XP full install CD if you can find one, most Staples still have them and you can get them online at sites like newegg and cdw.

My Minimum recommended specs for Vista are 1gb RAM, 1.0ghz processor, 15gb free hard drive space. If you are stuck with vista and your PC hover around these Specs you'd be best with Windows VIsta Basic which is around ~$120

Answer 4

If the computer is sufficiently powerful to run Windows Vista, then you can install Windows Vista on it. You don't need to install XP first.