UPDATE, PLS HELP! I''ve wiped my NetBook using dban now I can't reinstall windows xp!

ChiefGrasscutter

For the N140 Netbook Samsung did not offer a recovery disk(s) - end of story.

The N140 netbook has a special Samsung MBR which allowed access and transfered control through the F4 key to the hidden recovery partition and the recovery manager.
As many found to their cost such things as installing Linux wiped the MBR and installed a Linux one meaning all access to the factory restore option was lost for ever - even though the recovery partition was physically still there untouched....but now inacessible.

For this reason the more cautious made several disc image copies with something like Macrium or True Image to guard against total disc failure and no recovery possibility as no disks were available. I suppose the other option would have been to send it to a Samsung Service centre for it to be fixed.........

macman

Claireybear wrote: »

It doesn't say oem on it, just says for distribution with a new medion pc only, and says product recovery cd-rom.

Don't you think the key will work with it?

That is an OEM disk then.

23n1th

ChiefGrasscutter wrote: »

For the N140 Netbook Samsung did not offer a recovery disk(s) - end of story.

The N140 netbook has a special Samsung MBR which allowed access and transfered control through the F4 key to the hidden recovery partition and the recovery manager.
As many found to their cost such things as installing Linux wiped the MBR and installed a Linux one meaning all access to the factory restore option was lost for ever - even though the recovery partition was physically still there untouched....but now inacessible.

For this reason the more cautious made several disc image copies with something like Macrium or True Image to guard against total disc failure and no recovery possibility as no disks were available. I suppose the other option would have been to send it to a Samsung Service centre for it to be fixed.........

If the recovery partition is still there the I can only assume that it would be a dual boot install. Its my experience with recovery partitions and installing linux that Grub picks up the recovery partition and provides it as a boot option along with windows and linux.

Claireybear

You're right I'm very frazzled, I've completely messed it up. I've had to decline the eBay offer and I'm going to contact Samsung and see what they say.

I really appreciate your help, thank-you

23n1th

The problem I see here is that if CB can get windows XP back onto the netbook she (assuming female) wont have a valid product key to input.

It doesn't matter where the xp install disc comes from as long as you have the product key for the computer you're reinstalling to it will work fine. Without it you're stuck.

TakeThis

I have the Samsung XP Professional disc to hand, but your licence is likely for XP Home. So whilst it will work, the version won't match with your paperwork. So if Samsung can't help, perhaps best to wait until I'm back or someone lends you their Samsung XP Home disc.

Linbox

Ok so you made a mistake by just deleting everything, but you don't want to incur costs just to sell it.

Just install linux on it. I suggest Xubuntu which works really well on netbooks/net tops, then re advertise it on ebay.

zzzLazyDaisy

Phone samsung support, the number below is free on inclusive minutes on a mobile contract. They will ask you for certain info, such as the numbers underneath the machine, name of owner, address, when it was purchased etc etc. Hopefully your mum registered the netbook when she bought it, but they are extremely good and very helpful, so if not, they will probably still try to help. They saved my bacon when I got a virus recently that shut down my laptop, and were very patient with me being a non-techie.

UNITED KINGDOM
0330 SAMSUNG (7267864)
Monday - Saturday: 9am - 6pm

mttylad

I'd 2nd sticking Ubuntu on it.

That will work, wont cost you anything and allow you to sell the laptop.

It may even run faster than the original XP.

zzzLazyDaisy

But it limits the pool of potential buyers. People go for what is familiar to them - for most people that is windows.