Stupid n00b question - WindowsXP
 

I need to reformat my hard drive. I usually don't bother and just buy a new computer. This time i don't have a choice, I have to keep this one. i do not have a recovery disk, this machine did not ship with one. I never worried about it because I thought I could create one from the computer itself.

Anyway, what are my options other than buying the damn disk from MS?

Cliffs...
1. Need to reformat HD
2. No recovery disk on hand
3. Need suggestions


Thanks,
Bill

Should have restore cabs somewhere on the HD.

Looking now...

Oh, SonofSam, I know, it's needs more cowbell.

Chances are depdending on what type of machine it is - Most that have XP preinstalled usually have a small partition that has all the restore files already on it. I would check that.

do this

put your windows XP cd in your cd rom, restart your comp.. go into your BIOS... by usually pressing "DEL" while its booting... change the boot sequence to run the CDROM before the hard drive... then you can reformat using the windows xp cd.. and then freshly install windows XP

It's a Shuttle PC, G5690. How would I find the partition? If I go to My Computer all I see is the mounted drives.

"Anyway, what are my options other than buying the damn disk from MS?"

:winkwink:

I don't have the CD, XP was pre-installed and I did not get a recovery CD when I bought it :error

damnit i typed all that shit for nothing

Grrrrr.... newbreed you owe me 30 beers

OK, I have the XP boot thingy. If I run it will it find the original setup stuff on my HD?

My Dell computer is the same way. You might want to give a go for your computer. Maybe it will work...

Power the computer on.
When the Dell screen appears press and hold the <Ctrl> key on the keyboard, press the <F11> key, then release them both at the same time.
The Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears

why do you want to reformat?

Months of editing, testing, cranking, messing around, etc. - The thing is a dog, all other operations have been performed, and it's just running like crap. I think a fresh install would be good at this point.

how about a system restore?
you can go back to aprevious date.

Tried that, as well as defrag, removed a ton of shit, everything. I think I am missing some system files at this point from when I manually un-installed Acrobat Pro a few days ago, and that's causing some issues as well.

ok, I see what you mean.
a fresh install may be best.

who in their right mind buys a computer with no OS disk?

Do yourself a favor. Buy a copy of Win2k Pro or XP Home (if using XP then disable everything in it or end up at this phase again in 3 months) and use it to set your computer back up.

Once it's time to upgrade the computer don't just buy one... have one built.

newbreed - my new computer is the same way. check your d drive, it should be the one with the 'restore' or you can create the restore disk yourself.

Just checked my system and I get it as 'recovery partition'

Who did you buy the computer from that they didn't supply the Windows disk?!? If you want to do a fresh reinstall, you'll need a Windows disk. Depending on which one is cheaper, you can get the full version or the upgrade: they are the same thing (at least with XP Home...not sure about others). The upgrade will just require that you stick in an older Windows CD to prove you have one, but it's still a full install.

K, I will go hunting deeper. I know the Sony's and Dell's have a D drive with the files on there, but this one (ShuttlePC) only has a C: drive and the peripheral drives. I should have partitioned it when I got it, as all my computers in the last few years had it like that.

New systems that come with the OS pre-installed are delivered with no 'restore CDs' - it took me a month to wait for delivery (which never came) and alot of yelling until I just brought the comp back and asked for a brand spanking new one - this time, I chose the language and created my restore disks rightaway.

Best Buy. And the last 2 computers I had before this, also from Best Buy, did not include the disk either. The last 2 machines had an option in the programs menu to create a restore disk, this one does not.

ooh. I won't buy anything bigger than a pack of CDs or a cable at Best Buy. Those guys haven't a clue about anything related to computers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a restore disk won't do what you're hoping to do (i.e. reinstall). Doesn't it basically do exactly what the system restore feature does, except from CD in case the operating system is unbootable? I really don't know enough about XP to say with absolution, but that was my impression...

A restore disk restores the computer back to 'as new' from the factory. So the OS, drivers, and any pre-packaged software that came on it out of the box. Typically you put in the restore disk and it gives you some options as to what you are trying to do. Normally it's Full Reinstall, Programs Reinstall, or Format and Full Reinstall.

ok...now I understand what you were looking for. I'm not sure you'll be able to create a restore disk at this point that'll take you back to day one, but I've never tried.

Download a copy of windows from the net and burn it as an image to a disk.

If you want to purchase a legal copy, get a oem new full version from zipzoomfly.com

xp home = 85$ bucks
xp pro = 140.

Since they are OEM you will have to buy a cheap piece of hardware with it for it to be legal, any 10$ hardware will work, mouse, keyboard, etc. It will be like 155 with shipping for XP Pro and is the full, new, SP2 version. I recommend going this route.

Thanks for all the help guys/gals. I finally got ahold of Shuttle and they are over-nighting me a restoration disk.

Problem solved.

Cool. Glad it worked out for you.

dismantle the hard drive and format it manually using a fork