It crashed a while ago but the hard drive is still good. Its an IBM thinkpad and I just want windows xp installed, thats it. What is the cheapest solution without buying the os.
2006-08-11 06:17:54 · 15 answers · asked by billgutsky 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
When I say crashed this is what I mean:
1)It had Window 98.
2.) I had limewire and got a shitload of songs.
3.) One day I got the "blue screen of death" that said something like inopperable boot device.
4.)
2006-08-11 06:30:23 · update #1
Well If its computer help you need then I am the person to help you.. Sounds like you need to reinstall windows..
Its actually simple, But time consuming, Expect to spend at least two hours on the install alone. then an additional 2-3 hours getting updates, and other software you will need. (flash, windows media 10..... This entire process took me 6 hours of straight work. First thing you want to do is to figure out what your serial key for the version of windows that you have.http://www.product-key.com/
You will want to know this anyway,,, So its best to get it and keep it somewhere safe. The next thing you need to do is get a CD with the version of windows that you have the code for. Stick in the CD, reboot the PC, and follow the prompts, (deleteing the partition)...
2006-08-11 06:32:02 · answer #1 · answered by ntlgnce 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it is a legitimate system, I'd suggest going to IBM and inquiring about buying a recovery disk. For Example, Toshiba runs about 75 bucks for a replacement recovery disk.
So, doesn't the thinkpad have some type of one-button recovery feature?
If the above doesn't work, your only option is to purchase the XP OS online, or, try Linux, instead.
Oh. Okay. You want to upgrade. Well, if it was originally sold as a 98, I'd suggest spending $400 bucks and buy a brand new notebook. It'd be faster, bigger, yada and yada.
2006-08-11 06:31:04 · answer #2 · answered by Quinton1969 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really need a little more details as to the nature of the problem. If all the hardware is good and the operating system is corrupted beyond restoring, then borrow a XP disk from someone and reinstall, just use the COA numbers from the tag on the laptop. I usually charge from 35 to 60 bucks for a job like this.
2006-08-11 06:24:36 · answer #3 · answered by Interested Dude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have an operating system disc that came with your computer or a restore disc that will put it back in original condition. A good computer technician can probably recover any files you wanted off your old system but if that's not important you can put in your system disc, format and re-install your operating system for free. If you had someone else (professional) do it, it will cost you a hundred bucks or so unless you don't have XP and want it. Then you'll have to go buy a version for $100 or so and install it. If it hasn't had XP before make sure it's capable of running it before you buy it.
2006-08-11 06:23:05 · answer #4 · answered by Ben S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's still under warranty from IBM/Lenovo then they should be able to take care of whatever is wrong with your laptop.
When you say crashed, you're not being very clear. If you mean it's just gunked up with spyware, adware, and pop-ups you can clean it up yourself using adaware, spybot, and an antivirus. You can also just reinstall windows using the CD's that come with the laptop. Look through them, one of them should be the one for doing that easily and quickly. Your laptop comes licensed with Windows when you buy it retail, you should have a copy of windows XP that came with it.
If you're laptop is clean and it crashes anyway, then it could be a hardware issue, and depending on what it is the costs of the hardware and the labor if you don't wanna do it yourself, will vary
2006-08-11 06:23:51 · answer #5 · answered by jiganto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your thinkpad had win xp originally, you should have the backup cd that came with it. You can use that to simply reinstall xp. If your planning to upgrade the OS to xp you'll have to go and buy the new software. If your a student you can save $$ by going online and searching for academic software. You can save a lot.
2006-08-11 06:27:02 · answer #6 · answered by radar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard to say without knowing what the problem is...
OK, now that we know the problem, I think your computer is quite old, you should save that dough towards a new one, fitting a new fast HD into that, might prove as good as fitting a '06 Porsche engine into a '82 Beetle...cool, but unfruitful.
2006-08-11 06:21:31 · answer #7 · answered by Tommy V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should have had an installtion disk that came with ur laptop, if not, you will have to buy a copy of XP.
Cheapest XP is to buy from ebay, buy a dell operating system disk, and if you have a COA allready (holographic label on side of laptop) that is your CD key.
dont go with hacked software, more trouble than its worth
2006-08-11 06:23:13 · answer #8 · answered by onename 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use your windows xp cd that it was intially installed with, boot from it, the first time it asks, choose install, the second time it asks, choose repair, it will reinstall fix any errors in xp.
If that doesn't work, choose install the second time and let it format the disk. you will have to install everything again, and you will lose all your files, so try to save important files first
2006-08-11 06:23:16 · answer #9 · answered by butchell 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well...you could download the os for free off another computer, which will probably take a while...$0.
You could buy one for like $100.
Or you could get it fixed for maybe $70.
To get it for free, go to isohunt.com and get a torrent. Download utorrent, and wait while it finishes. You'll also need a burner to burn the iso. contact me for more info.
2006-08-11 06:21:39 · answer #10 · answered by !{¤©¤}! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋