i lost the cds you can use so i need a different way please!
2006-09-02 11:14:24 · 9 answers · asked by big mike 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Programming & Design
for a complete reinstall of the system you will need the operating system. So if you lost the CDs, you will have to get a new one :(
Here are some operating systems that I can recommend:
The Windows XP Professional Edition (129$ ):
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-XP-Professional-w-SP2/dp/B0007L7E1U/sr=1-1/qid=1157235702/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-6442659-5681759?ie=UTF8&s=software
Ubuntu Operating System (Linux): free
http://www.ubuntu.com/ubuntu
Mac OSX Tiger (you can use this only on apple computers!): $109.99
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mac-Tiger-10-4-6-DVD/dp/B000BWZZLG
2006-09-02 11:26:04 · answer #1 · answered by Ben Ferrari 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Making a floppy disk bootable isn't enough, you need to copy the format command onto the floppy disk too. However, if you format the hard disk without a CD or DVD to re-install with you're going to be sat looking at a BIOS message telling you there's no operating system.
Obviously you don't have any Windows disks to install with so the only legal way forward is to go and buy a copy of Windows or download Linux for free, both of which are bootable from the CD/DVD and both will format the hard disk during install so making a floppy disk to do the job becomes irrelevant.
2006-09-02 18:25:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Linux based:
Get knoppix or dsl linux, boot the cd's you an then use fdisk to repartition. in this situation the live cd just works and you don't have to install to hard disk. Knoppix also has an easy install to hard disk option.
cheap bytes and others for a nominal fee will sell you cd's.
linux clubs will let you borrow them (most linux is legally copyable)
if you need/want a more permanent answer:
both free:
Ubuntu is also easy to install.
Suse 10.0 is nice too.
you can also buy a solution from novel/suse or redhat.
I don't like the free redhat fedora, others do.
Linuxes today need 256mb ram and 10g disk.
Windows...
You gotta buy new disks.
Win98 or WinME not supported any longer.
WinXP -- needs 256 to 512 mb ram. 10G disk
2006-09-02 19:09:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
can you get hold of an windows me start up disk u can start the PC with that and when it comes up with the c prompt [eg c:]
type format c:*.* it wipes the c drive
i used it a lot in the past
BUT if you haven't lost the win xp disk go into bios and set your PC to boot using the CD drive the PC will start up using the win xp disk and then you can format the drives in whatever format you want [fat, fat 32,etc
hey if you have lost the xp disk surely someone will lend you a copy eh
i have used boot and nuke it takes ages BUT!!!
it completely wipes everything partitions everything
click on this link if you want to download
http://dban.sourceforge.net/
2006-09-02 18:30:18 · answer #4 · answered by wobber 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have your operating system(=Windows) on a disc that will install it then it can re install with or without removing the other programs on your hd,
if your computer has a tag on it from windows with your 5 times 5 digit and letter serial, microsoft can send you a replacement disc to reinstall
2006-09-02 18:20:29 · answer #5 · answered by Hoku S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just put in your operating system disk and reformat, if you don't back up your files they'l get lost all by themselves
2006-09-02 18:21:05 · answer #6 · answered by acid tongue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way left is to do a "clean boot."
Without knowing anymore, you will just have to go to microsoft, and type in "clean boot" under your system.
2006-09-02 18:19:07 · answer #7 · answered by Skeeter63 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get a floppy disk,,
insert in acomputer that is working
right click on the floppy icon and then make it a bootable disc,
take it off,
inset it in ur computer,, restart ur computer,,,,
and format the drives
2006-09-02 18:17:38 · answer #8 · answered by kriss 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What kind of computer is it?
2006-09-02 18:17:10 · answer #9 · answered by Mudtime4me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋