Xp

Chris54_2

When I bought my machine it came with windows xp home edition already installed. Now I discover there is no XP disc. I assume that if I want to reinstall windows again from scratch I will have to buy the disc. Are there any pitfalls with this....... where would I buy the disc?

My intention is to reformat my hard disc and start again from stratch. Is it possible to do this?

Would I need anything else?

ollyshaw

Hi,

When you see XP for sale, you are buying the LICENCE and the disk. As you already have the licence your best bet is to try and find someone who has the disk and borrow that.

Hope that helps,

Olly

Zahc

I thought that the xp restore to factory side of things is hidden away in a separate partition on this type of computer? In which case, if you don't mind losing your data, you should be able to restore to factory settings without a disk. You should have a leaflet outlining the process somewhere, or just google your machine model and restore.

Tallymanjohn

What make of PC is it? Some systems give you the option to reinstall without losing your data. As Zahc says, you may find that the reinstallation files are on a hidden partition on the hard drive, normally accessed by pressing one of the 'f' keys at boot up, or from within Windows - look for anything saying 'restore' or 'rescue'. The other possibility is that you were supplied with a CD or floppy disk which just points the restore to the location of the hidden partition when you boot from it. With some systems, you get an option to create rescue disks from the hidden partition (a good idea in case your drive fails). Finally, as Ollyshaw says, you should have a holographic sticker on the side/back of the case with the key required to reinstall Windows, however you need to know which version of XP Home you have - OEM versions came in a few different types & you will find that non-matching key will not be accepted.

Chris54_2

I am not bothered about saving anything on the machine it just seems to be full of junk as a result of kids etc.

Yes I haVE THE HOLLOGRAPHIC? sticker on the side of the PC which means I have a licence but I still need a disc ..right?

If I do as Zahc says would that be classed as a totally clean install?

Looking on the internet a windows xp disc is about £60.00, is it not best to have this in my possession?

Please excuse my ignorance :-)

ollyshaw

Think of the £60 as being £60 for the licence with a free disk!

Browntoa

any XP disk will do as you have a valid XP sticker...

Tallymanjohn

Sorry to disagree with Browntoa but not any disk will do - the CDKey you may have on the side of your case will be for an OEM copy of XPHome - it will not work with a full retail copy; upgrade; any XP Pro; it will only work with the particular service pack level originally installed, & if it's certain makes like (for instance) Packard Bell or Dell, they have different tie-ins which recognise their own OEM licences - I know, I've done this numerous times in the past.
If you're happy to spend £60 then that's your best option as you'll get a new CDKey/holographic sticker - you then just need to get hold of the drivers for your hardware if Windows doesn't recognise them all, especially the motherboard/chipset ones which Windows will not have.

ollyshaw

Have to disagree with you there Tally. I have used a dell disk on a compaq, no probs. XP pro (sp2) with an sp1 licence. Infact I dont think I have ever installed XP with the "right" disk. Maybe you have just been unlucky?

In my opinon the worst thing that will happen if you try with a mates disk is you may be asked to ring a fella and promise that its the only PC you use the licence with.

Olly

Browntoa

I use my dell disk for anything, it's just a core XP disk with no extra's, they expect you to use the drivers disk for evrything else

libra10

I have a Sony laptop and when doing a reinstall I just click the Vaio recovery tool in programmes. Seems to work OK. When I bought the PC you were given the option of creating recovery discs and have those as well.

Good luck