“Since we have three XP laptops & one PC, could I use one of those OS disks?”
If the copy of XP has been registered already, you might run into a problem. I’m not exactly sure how to get around that...maybe someone else on here has an idea.
Yeah, but it ain't legal. When you buy your disk just don't register. The help they give will never pay back the freedom you lose. Some people need the handholding, others don't. There are cracks and hacks out there to get around this, but you have to get it in your mind that Bill "owes" it to you to be able to cheat.
It is a shame to have 3-4 computers with 3-4 disks and can't swap or use them again, but that's the system. If you haven't registered your copy of XP PRO with Bill, then you can boot to a prompt and migrate to the I386 folder and install from winnt.exe. There are free utilities to boot and format with on the internet. Try Googling "boot disks". Some give quite a range of utility to check your disk and move partitions and such stuff. The disk the computer company gave you may or may not have a readable I386 folder.
It's quite a job, but you can build your own boot disk and copy the I386 folder from your own hard drive to a CD.( meaning most people will have a bunch of coasters if they don't have a clue). That would give you your own copy of XP to start any computer with. The problem comes when you have a registered copy with some other computer, Bill finds out and starts to warn you you will be assimilated. XP Pro doesn't need to be activated, so you can just install, but NEVER use windows upgrade. Click the box that says "check with me before downloading and installing upgrades."( the middle one). Then, everytime the little shield says there are upgrades available, click on it and make sure you never download and install the Genuine authentication tool.
You can never get above Mediaplayer 10 and IE6. Media player 11 and IE7 require authentication. All other safety downloads are available. Just use any of 100 media players available and FireFox or Opera to get all the latest stuff. Most things don't care if it's Mediaplayer 9 or 11, and IE7 kinda sucks anyway. Realplayer is free and most burning software like Nero has a player for anything. I like Realplayer more than Media Player anyway. I can move my mouse over a video link and download it to my hard drive and play it and send it to anyone.
XP Lite is a small program that removes the bloatware you don't want or need and lets you customize your install of XP to your needs. It speeds things up and makes your install very small.