Question about XP!
 

Okay! I got a brand new PC (custom built), and instead of forking over $200 to buy XP again I used the backup disk that came with my laptop. Is using that essentially the same as getting a new one? I've heard otherwise, and also that you can't use a windows disk that came with a laptop for a PC, but I think the person who told me that is full of shit. It's all loaded up and it seems to work, it's just completely bare except for Minesweeper and other startup shit.

Anyway, there's no icons in the bottom right corner, not even a volume one. Also, my internet doesn't seem to be working on it. Do I need to just buy XP again or is there a way to fix this?

You're probably missing a whole shitload of drivers for the hardware in your box, maybe even a driver for your NIC (which would explain the lack of internet). Compile a list of all the hardware in your box, and use someone else's PC to download a complete up-to-date driver set you can then load onto your custom PC.

This was the case when I reinstalled XP Pro onto a Dell Inspiron laptop. I had to go back after installation and load the other drivers for onboard sound, video, networking, wireless, bluetooth, etc. Pain in the ass.

Once you get all the drivers together, it might be a good idea to create a slipstream installtion disc to avoid this headache in the future.

Further advice: Burn all of those drivers to a CD or DVD, label it, and keep it safe! You'll be glad you did.

you should have a cd of your mother board, install the driver from that cd and it should be fine, internet should work after that and you can just download all the other missing driver.