knowing my pc.

does anyone know where i can download a bootable CD? i'm using a friend's used pc while i build my own. however, he's got Win 2k which i want to upgrade to xp pro but i don't know how to reinstall the OS. i was checking out some sites and came across this one: http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm The contents of the CD that's advertised is pretty enticing but i just don't trust that site with my money.

Anyway, does anyone know of a site(s) where i can get many, if not all, of the features on this CD? Also, how do i know what kind of "peripherals", like the graphic and sound cards, that is in the pc without taking it apart? (assuming that's possible from the desktop)
Any help with these will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

 

also you can make a boot disk here:

http://www.bootdisk.com

you can make a boot disc to start pc but you still have to have a windows disk to install it.whats a matter with the os you have now?

 

yeah, i know i'm gonna need a Win XP cd. i guess i just want to get in with the times; to the best of my knowledge Win XP is more secure and stable than Win 2k. Ideally, i'd want to have both Win (preferably Win media center) and Linux on my pc (i have a 160GB hdd).
what exactly are the steps in replacing an existing OS?
also, where can i get inexpensive, yet authentic, Win OS cds? i've seen some at http://www.newegg.com but i still think i can get it just a little bit cheaper.
Cheers.

 

just search google or yahoo.just make sure you buy an oem version that isnt for a dell,or hp or something like that.those are very cheap but they are made for certain machines.win xp pro oem should be around 139 or 149 usa dollars you might find it cheaper but make sure its a standard win xp oem and not made for a certain type of prebuilt machine.theres alot of dell xp pro out there for 39-49 bucks but you dont want that unless you have a dell[lol]my brand is a rugripper so i cant use that one[he he he]peace