Hi

I have a 3 year old laptop with XP on and it is corrupted with several virus's, old useless information etc...So, i want to format it to the original state in which i bought it in. I'm not bothered if software or anything like that is lost, i just want it completely wiped! However, i no longer have the XP CD which came with it.

Can anyone help?

Thanks Mark

keep in mind you will need your laptop drivers as well for it to function correctly. perhaps you can contact your laptop's company and see if they have the drivers?

and regarding windows XP, when you bought the laptop they provided you with one? or just a bunch of recovery discs? as that is usually the case.

that's the thing..... I don't have the recovery disks, the laptop is actually my girlfriends and she's lost them!

Is there an alternative way around the problem?

Mark

not that i can think of. unless you want to actually buy a retail XP and go online to search for your laptop's drivers.

check your laptop and see if it has a "Burn Recovery Disc" option of some sort. my Compaq had that function last time.

call and ask the company, sometimes they give the discs for free and you only pay shipping, which comparatively is still cheaper than buying a retail XP cd.

sorry to sound stupid but if i got a copy of XP Home Edition, could i do it then?

legally obtained version? of course. but like i said the drivers are still going to be a little hard to hunt down online.

first you have to reformat you computer. which if you don't know the members of this forum will gladly guide you through.

after that, you'll have to start reinstalling the sound drivers, graphic drivers and such online. meaning you have to find the model and such.

if you're worried, you can list them here and maybe the others or i'll try hunting them down. so that it'll be less of a hassle when you reformat.

that would be great if you could, cheers...

What information do you need from my laptop then before i format it?

hmm... the specifics. the make and model of the laptop?

I'm at work at the moment, is it ok if i get them & send them too you when i get home tonight?

Cheers

no problem. i'm about to sleep now. early sleeper these days.

~Peace~