I will start off with the problem. My computer (laptop) needs reformating as it is slow groging and cpu usage is at 100%. I have no recovery cd and the system restore does not work. none of the checkpoints load.

I have a gateway MX7120 notebook with windows xp media center edition installed and i need a reformat, but having no waranty or the money to buy a disk that installs all the drivers as well as windows xp, im in a situation. i was wondering if i could have a recovery cd that would install xp professional instead also. thanks for help.

ben

If you don't have funds or media, I suggest you go here;

http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/...008832nv.shtml

and run through the TOOLS section. They have support to help you get your machine running better. Formatting and reinstalling should be a last effort.

A good place to start is to ensure you have up to date drivers for your hardware.

thank you for the site. It helped some. My laptop is still not doing well. And as i suspected it should be reformated. The experts said to hold down the f8 key while booting and restore from there.... but i still need the restore cd. I used to own it and its lost in the move. So, seeing how you can only use a restore cd once and on only one gateway computer, my friend thinks his might work as he never used his, but its windows xp professional, while mine is media center 2005. Would this work?

And what else can i do if this doesnt work?

First of all, you'd be breaking the EULA. Your friends Restore CD is meant for his system only.

Secondly, there's a high probability it wouldn't complete due to differences in machines, and you'd be stuck with a laptop without an O/S. (Operating System)

Many proprietary machines are designed for a certain O/S, with certain drivers, written for certain hardware.

I advise against using your friends Restore CD.

I would continue to try to get this machine straightend out, at least until you can afford to get a restore CD from the manufacturer.