reformatting computer without reboot cd?

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

ill check into the key, im pretty sure i did see a xp sticker on the bottom, but its been so long since ive used the dam thing..

have not tried the system restore or recovery, but i thought i had to have the recovery disk to do that? Thats what i DONT have.

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

That's true. Some HP's don't come with discs, but rather have the recovery software on a hidden partition on the hard drive.

When you first turn the computer on, look and see if it says "Press XXX to start system restore"

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

ok, will do, ill try it as soon as i get home. thanks.

 

[fbi90909 5,000+ posts]

to use system restore you do not need any disk.

run Start>programs>accessories>system tools>system restore.

you can back track all of the computers settings to a previous checkpoint(kinda like a save file in a game). though! i'm pertty sure you won't have a checkpoint towards the initial date of the computer. PLUS, system restore isn't 100% and will still leave LOTS of things on the computer.

if you are going to sell it, just spend the 100 and buy a new XP cd. either include it in the price or just use it for that one occasion and keep an XP cd for yourself.

 

[HyPnAwTiKpImP 10+ year member]

ill check into the key, im pretty sure i did see a xp sticker on the bottom, but its been so long since ive used the dam thing..
have not tried the system restore or recovery, but i thought i had to have the recovery disk to do that? Thats what i DONT have.

if you want to find the current cd key for windows type regedit in run and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

the cd key is in Productid

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

My friend had an HP computer back in college and it didn't actually come with restore disks but had files images of the disks or files or whatever to burn to disk to make your own. I think they were stupid one time burn only though or something retarded.

Do some reading in your manual if you still got that, otherwise I would say just go with a fresh install of XP or something, just gotta make sure you can find all the drivers you will need if you run into trouble.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

Well I found the CD key. What do I need 2 do now? And I'm pretty sure the majority of the drivers online on HP.com

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

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