I have a computer with XP Pro HD died.
I had another HD that was pulled out of another computer with major hardware problems that was closed to same model with XP Pro SP3 fully updated
The computer would not update and the best things to, was XP Repair
Here is a link on the proper steps and you need XP Pro CD
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operat...txprepair1.htm
After the XP Repair
1. You will need to run windows update for XP Repaired will put IE6 and Windows Media 9 back on the computer
2. After the repair and reboots you will need to activate XP
If you go to START/ACCESSORIES/SYSTEM TOOLS/ ACTIVATE
If you do not see ACTIVATE then here is a tip
You will need to download IE 8 and install.
After the install XP will then update like it should
You will have many updates to get it back to where it needs to be.
If you can not login to make the Repair
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tips-...s-xp-password/