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Fix XP problem or reinstall
f1charlie
Posts: 1,228 Forumite
A friend has asked me to try and sort out his Vaio laptop. It boots up very slowly and is unable to connect to the internet. I have googled and found the exact same symptoms described in other forums, but little in the way of a cure.
I think the only option is to reinstall windows but he has no recovery disks. There is a XP Home key sticker on the laptop, so if I got hold of an XP Home disk should I be able to reinstall using this key?
If so, can I get hold of a CD only cheaply and where? As he intends to sell the computer he doesn't want to spend out much, also in case the problems are hardware related.
Thanks for any advice.
I think the only option is to reinstall windows but he has no recovery disks. There is a XP Home key sticker on the laptop, so if I got hold of an XP Home disk should I be able to reinstall using this key?
If so, can I get hold of a CD only cheaply and where? As he intends to sell the computer he doesn't want to spend out much, also in case the problems are hardware related.
Thanks for any advice.
Charlie
0
Comments
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Isnt there a recovery disc maker in the start menu or a F11 startup recovery ?
You can use another disc, but you might need specific drivers to use it.
Otherwise run a few programs
Disc cleanup
defrag
ccleaner
msconfig
spyware scan
AV scan0 -
It currently has XP Pro on it, so I guess that any recovery partition may have been wiped. I will look at that again.
I have been trying to work my way through cleaning it. I have defragged and run ccleaner. I haven't run an AV or spyware scan yet as the ones I have looked at all require an internet connection to download the latest definitions. Any suggestions for such programs which can be run without the need to download updates 'live'?Charlie0 -
If it has an Xp home coa it should be running Xp home not pro.
The answer to could you reinstall using the coa is yes. Just make sure you have an oem copy of XP home NOT a retail copy.0 -
Where can you get just the CD of an oem XP Home?Charlie0
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I've looked there but they all come with a key, making them more expensive. I only want the CD!Charlie0
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try freecycle to see if you can borrow and copy a recovery disk. I have lent out my dell recovery disk a couple of times with freecycle .Nudge nudge, Wink wink, Say No More!0
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cough "Torrents"0
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Nasty cough you've got there. Caught it from those 'torrents'?
Charlie0
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