anyone installed XP from non restore CD?

I must have wiped out my erecovery option, alt F10 doesn't work, I don't have a hidden partition, only an 86 meg unallocated area. I have downloaded all the drivers for the A110 8g ssd and have tried a repair install from a normal XP home CD, so I know I can install from the usb drive, I was just wondering if I get the full functionality of the secure digital drives, webcam, etc.

I can't read my CD key from the label, 2 or 3 characters have worn off, but Belarc advisor says what's in the registry is not the same as the label, so that's a concern too.

 

Standard factory installs of an OS are usually done via a Ghost Image. This means that they're using the same/similar product keys for a set number of AAO's. I've seen this happen with BenQ, Asus, Acer and other brands of OEM computers. The serial in the registry never matches that which is on the outside of your case. The key on the case is there purely because you have paid for a Windows license, so they have to provide you with one. Usually to reinstall, you will need an OEM disk, pre-integrated SP3 for XP negated this in a lot of builds.

So yes, your product key on the outside of your case may or may not match that which is already installed on your machine. NOTE: Your best bet now that you have your system up and running is to make a copy of the serial number which is currently in use, because as you've said, you can't read the one on the bottom of your machine.

As far as functionality goes, you will nearly always get better functionality out of an OEM computer (one made by a company with a brand name and model number), if you wipe the drive and reinstall from your own OS media. Yes you have to hunt down and install working, compatible drivers, but you will also not have all the bloatware associated with the OEM install. As a matter of fact, the first thing I'll do with a brand new system (laptops only, because I build my own PC's) is thoroughly wipe the HDD, install the OS of my choice and finalise it by installing all the drivers, that is if I haven't already integrated the drivers into the installation media.

As for installing on an SSD, you will need to install FlashFire to get a decent amount of performance out of the machine full stop. HDD models are usually always better, more reliable and easier to configure, not to mention the storage space available and easier to upgrade should you want more capacity.