hi George, more about the recovery disk. I have now been able to Install xp home off the recovery disk, without Norton/ aol. The Installation went okay, but now when I boot-up I'm getting the following: 30 days left for Activation. What does this message mean?, The copy of xp home was in the system, when I purchased it, and there was no bundled software, just the recovery disk. Billy ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq