What is needed for a full reformating of a harddrive?

Question

I don't have my XP disc and am wondering If I can get the code to start XP off of my current computer, so I can use someone elses disc to reinstall?

Answer 1

You can make floopy setup disks (see links) these will allow you computer to boot if for some reason you cannot boot from CD-rom

The Xp OS CD's will contain foutines to format the drive.

Go to the harddrive manufacturers web site and download the drive utilities. You can use these utilities to perform a low level format and diagnostics BEFORE reinstalling your OS.
EDIT:
You can use your friends CD to do an install
Also see link on how to change your license key

Also try checking your registry for the product ID
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ProductId

Answer 2

Yes you will need an installation disk for another operating system; there is no other way around it. Before you reformat I suggest you find some codes on the internet (make sure you find about five or six in case one of them doesn't work) and then borrow a friends installation disk. By reformatting you will fundamentally have a new computer (assuming there are no hardware issues.) The only way to reformat on windows XP is to put the disk in the disk drive and restart the computer though there is a way to do it with other versions of windows. Make sure you back up any files which you want to keep because they will be erased when you decide to format. I personally reformat every 6 months when the cra* on my computer piles up. It's like a detox :)

ps. Do NOT listen to the ho above my answer. This will not work since it is a trail version and an upgrade. Do NOT listen to HO above me otherwise your computer will suffer.

Answer 3

If you download the trial version of Everest Ultimate Edition from here:

http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?ps=UE&lang=en

And once installed,
Click on ... Operating system / Operating system

On the right hand side of the pane, it will show you your product key code.

Make sure you use the exact same version of Windows XP to reinstall. Example.. if your computer had Windows XP Home installed, you cannot use Windows XP Pro. Your keycode will not work. It has to be a Windows XP Home CD or Visa Versa.

Answer 4

It seems such as you have been using CMD or the dos command container, which might preclude you from formatting on a similar time as working domicile windows. in case you have an unique xp cd, you are able to run the installation by sticking the cd contained in thecontinual, restarting, and doing an deploy. between the innovations is to format and start up over. once you're working domicile windows 2000, comparable element applies. For domicile windows ninety 8, you will want a domicile windows ninety 8 boot disk. as quickly as created, restart the workstation, do format c:, then run the domicile windows ninety 8 deploy cd. good success!

Answer 5

yes, i think you can. but you'd have to activate your account within 30 days. i'm not sure if you can install someone elses disc using your own serial number which hopefully you kept record of before losing your disc. why don't you give it a try what have you to lose. it's learning, good luck!

Answer 6

if you have the microsoft sticker on your case, you can do that. you may also want to get a copy of your video driver as well as one for audio, network card, and motherboard chip set. then burn them to a cd so you can install them after loading XP.
here is a good utility to have :
http://www.freewarefiles.com/program_9_95_12722.html

Answer 7

You need a Windows Operating system disk only. If you don't have one, you can't.