Is this possible? Trying to reinstall XP but no disc and can't find files

rileydog

I have an old PC with XP on it, I need to reinstall XP onto it so that I can give it to someone. I have the valid code on the side of the PC but I don't have the Windows XP disc. I read that you can do it by searching for the relevant files from this link (http://www.wikihow.com/Reinstall-Windows-XP-Without-the-CD) but I've searched for the winnt32.exe file and can't find it on the PC.

Is there anything else I can do? Any help greatly appreciated!

pitkin2020

I usually just use any old XP install disk (maybe you could borrow one) but use the activation code thats on the side of the case.

TakeThis

rileydog wrote: »

I have an old PC with XP on it, I need to reinstall XP onto it so that I can give it to someone. I have the valid code on the side of the PC but I don't have the Windows XP disc. I read that you can do it by searching for the relevant files from this link (http://www.wikihow.com/Reinstall-Windows-XP-Without-the-CD) but I've searched for the winnt32.exe file and can't find it on the PC.

Is there anything else I can do? Any help greatly appreciated!

Home or Pro? Make and model of PC?

rileydog

It's XP home, PC is a Packard Bell model ALT-C02...

TakeThis

rileydog wrote: »

It's XP home, PC is a Packard Bell model ALT-C02...

IMedia ****?

rileydog

Sorry, missed that bit. It's an IMedia3032

TakeThis

Have you tried Packard Bell Recovery? Page 58.

Otherwise you will have to go through the Packard Bell hell of choosing your Drivers after reinstalling XP manually, if you don't have the Driver and application disc either.

Banacek

TakeThis wrote: »

Have you tried Packard Bell Recovery? Page 58.

Otherwise you will have to go through the Packard Bell hell of choosing your Drivers after reinstalling XP manually, if you don't have the Driver and application disc either.

You can alwaya back your drivers up first to some removeable media there are loads of programs out there that will make a back up of the drivers for reinstallation after you put your clean copy of XP on it.

rileydog

TakeThis wrote: »

Have you tried Packard Bell Recovery? Page 58.

Otherwise you will have to go through the Packard Bell hell of choosing your Drivers after reinstalling XP manually, if you don't have the Driver and application disc either.

Thanks, I thought this was the answer to my prayers as the 'complete recovery' reverts it to factory state and removes all personal data.

Unfortunately I don't seem to have Packard Bell support installed on my PC. Do you know if there's any way of downloading it? I tried googling packard bell support downloads but don't really know exactly what package I'm looking for

SteveJH200

I worked on one of these computers recently where a fresh install was the only answer. I have a XP Home Service Pack 2 install disc so installed that first using the activation code on the case. I opted to turn off Automatic updates. I then installed a wireless dongle so I could connect to the internet and used Windows Update Custom Level to install both Microsoft updates and some hardware drivers that Microsoft supply. After a very long time XP was up to date so I then switched automatic updates back on. I then installed Slim Drivers http://download.cnet.com/SlimDrivers-Free/3000-18513_4-75279940.html and did a scan and all the remaining drivers were successfully downloaded. As already mentioned, finding the correct driver for your computer via Packard Bell is sheer Hell!!!

TakeThis

rileydog wrote: »

Thanks, I thought this was the answer to my prayers as the 'complete recovery' reverts it to factory state and removes all personal data.

Unfortunately I don't seem to have Packard Bell support installed on my PC. Do you know if there's any way of downloading it? I tried googling packard bell support downloads but don't really know exactly what package I'm looking for

I have already provided the link to the downloads for your PC. It's in post #7 under 'choosing your Drivers'.

If you are happy to run a clean install from Boot, the Recovery Disc is in your PM inbox. Lucky for you it already has SP3.
Installing this way(from Boot-up), you can clean away any and all of your data by deleting the original partition and formatting in NTFS and then installing the Packard Bell XP disc.

You'll need to consult my link in post #7 for any Drivers and Applications that you need or wish to install. A less painful option would be to 'back up' the Drivers from your current install first, perhaps to a USB drive or CD. That way you will have and know exactly the ones that you need. DriverBackup!