help with formating my laptop

busterkeye

Lil306 wrote: »

Does the laptop not have a recovery CD?

Anyway, download a program such as BartPE, load it up and format the c:\ drive.

By the way, if you do format the hard drive, make sure you have an OEM Copy of Windows XP with the COA sticker. Otherwise you will need to download a copy of Windows to reinstall it

no he doesnt have a disk, well i dont think so. (hes at work now till late tonight) there is a sticker on the back saying appliance test xx,xx,2006 so i should imagine that he'll have lost them

busterkeye

Donnie wrote: »

But you have Internet access from another machine, so you can put the necessary software on a USB drive or CD.

ye never thought of that ddeeeeeerrrrrr lol

is the other pc best off in safe mode cos i have a felling that it wont let me use the usb drive

Donnie

Safe Mode is fine. Once you are able to run a Quick Scan with Malwarebytes' AntiMalware and have re-booted, Internet access may be restored. Though that won't mean the job is done.
Whilst you are at it, put a copy of the Opera browser application on to the USB drive. You may need to work using an alternate browser whilst you are cleaning up.

Donnie

Look here for drivers and other resources.

cit_k

I would go with format the thing.

Virus/Spyware etc removal packages can only remove what they know about.
They cant remove unknown infections.

You may think your computer is clean, but you have little way of knowing for sure.

busterkeye

sorry ive been a while but while trying to sort the laptop out my went down with a NTLDR PRESS ANY KEY TO START GGGGGRRRRR sorted now..

right if i do a reformat will windows xp come back on cos i have no CD for it?

reason im wanting to go with this option is because i am trying to download the programs such has ccleaner and i can get them to save to my pen drive

Donnie

busterkeye wrote: »

sorry ive been a while but while trying to sort the laptop out my went down with a NTLDR PRESS ANY KEY TO START GGGGGRRRRR sorted now..

right if i do a reformat will windows xp come back on cos i have no CD for it?

NO............... You'll need the correct XP Pro disc before you begin.

tomsutton529

busterkeye wrote: »

sorry ive been a while but while trying to sort the laptop out my went down with a NTLDR PRESS ANY KEY TO START GGGGGRRRRR sorted now..

right if i do a reformat will windows xp come back on cos i have no CD for it?

if you are loading from a recovery partion (should be a seperate drive in my computer called Data or Recovery) then it will reload windows as it was when you bought it. Consult your guide on how to do this, but its usually F8, F12 or F11 to get into the recovery console.

the other way is to use a recovery CD which you dont seem to have..

the last way is to download a copy of windows thats an OEM version (OEM means Original Equipment Manufacture, so if its Acer you need the windows xp OEM acer cd) and then you can use the serial key on the bottom of the laptop.

you need to download the one that matches your serial key, it will say Windows XP SP1 2 or 3 so make sure you get the right one..

I dont think im allowed to post on here where to obtain the CD's from but im sure its not illegal, well its borderline..

The final thing is... when you enter the key it MAY say that you need to ring Microsoft, its fine to do that and just tell them that you needed to reinstall XP as your Motherboard got fried..

busterkeye

thing is he didnt get one with it, it came with it already installed

tomsutton529

busterkeye wrote: »

thing is he didnt get one with it, it came with it already installed

then you need to read my post.. it roughly covers the process of getting an OEM CD.