Uninstalling Windows xp when it locks you out

[MU Student Government Association]

I just got elected into our student government
association and we have two computers in the office. One
is a Dell which is working fine. The other is a Compaq
Presario which someone apparently tried to install
Windows XP onto it using the reinstallation CD from the
Dell Computer. When I turn the Compaq on, the XP tells
me that I need to register the windows software before
logging on. My thoughts are that if I can somehow get to
a dos command prompt, then I can use the format HD:
command to undo the windows xp and everything else on the
hard drive. Unfortunately there is no apparent way to
bypass the xp lockout...and of course after calling
Microsoft (who makes all the software operating systems),
Dell (who made the CD that someone stupidly tried to
install on the other computer), and Compaq (the maker of
the computer itself) not a single multi-billion dollar
company can tell me how to get the damn thing off. So
I'm trying this message board in hopes of getting an
answer. Finally, no I cannot find the original compaq
software (some previous officer prolly stole it) to boot
off of and reinstall the original OS and drivers. Please
help.
Thanks,
PKing

 

[Gordon Burgess-Parker]

I just got elected into our student government
association and we have two computers in the office. One
is a Dell which is working fine. The other is a Compaq
Presario which someone apparently tried to install
Windows XP onto it using the reinstallation CD from the
Dell Computer. When I turn the Compaq on, the XP tells
me that I need to register the windows software before
logging on. My thoughts are that if I can somehow get to
a dos command prompt, then I can use the format HD:
command to undo the windows xp and everything else on the
hard drive. Unfortunately there is no apparent way to
bypass the xp lockout...and of course after calling
Microsoft (who makes all the software operating systems),
Dell (who made the CD that someone stupidly tried to
install on the other computer), and Compaq (the maker of
the computer itself) not a single multi-billion dollar
company can tell me how to get the damn thing off. So
I'm trying this message board in hopes of getting an
answer. Finally, no I cannot find the original compaq
software (some previous officer prolly stole it) to boot
off of and reinstall the original OS and drivers. Please
help.
Thanks,
PKing

Your best bet is to pop along to your nearest Software Vendor and buy a full
Retail copy of XP.
Boot from that CD, and either do a repair install, or an install on a fresh
partition.

 

[HiMan]

Hi PKing,

Can't you boot it with a startup floppy? Any install CD (you'll need one to
install a new OS anyway)? If all you want to do is to delete, format, this
should not be a great problem? If you need some data from the drive, that's
another story.

 

[rory]

i thought the way youve wrote this is funny btw

OK i take it that you want to remove this OS.

the subject would have been better if it said removing XP

do a serch for that there is a programme for it on MS web
site.

but to save the bother, a quick way is to put in ( one of
these ) boot disc / set up disc of the S you want to
install, type
a:/ dir

if there is format on it then:

type:
a:/format c:/

now just install as normal.

if you can do this..

down load a programe called low level disc format.

if you cant find it on the net mail me and ill send you
it.
this scrap the OS so it wont boot and you can install as
normal with a fresh PC.

remember to format the disc after.

 

[Former MSA Senatornow in Chicago]

The problems you're encountering are caused by you
wasting money hiring that 'Joe Millionaire' jackass to
speak for you. Next time, think first.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

but to save the bother, a quick way is to put in ( one of
these ) boot disc / set up disc of the S you want to
install, type
a:/ dir

if there is format on it then:

type:
a:/format c:/

now just install as normal.

That works *only* if the drive is not NTFS. If it's NTFS, he'll
have to first use FDISK to remove the partition and recreate a
FAT32 partition.
[/QUOTE]

 

[Michael Stevens]

I just got elected into our student government
association and we have two computers in the office. One
is a Dell which is working fine. The other is a Compaq
Presario which someone apparently tried to install
Windows XP onto it using the reinstallation CD from the
Dell Computer. When I turn the Compaq on, the XP tells
me that I need to register the windows software before
logging on. My thoughts are that if I can somehow get to
a dos command prompt, then I can use the format HD:
command to undo the windows xp and everything else on the
hard drive. Unfortunately there is no apparent way to
bypass the xp lockout...and of course after calling
Microsoft (who makes all the software operating systems),
Dell (who made the CD that someone stupidly tried to
install on the other computer), and Compaq (the maker of
the computer itself) not a single multi-billion dollar
company can tell me how to get the damn thing off. So
I'm trying this message board in hopes of getting an
answer. Finally, no I cannot find the original compaq
software (some previous officer prolly stole it) to boot
off of and reinstall the original OS and drivers. Please
help.
Thanks,
PKing

Do you get any options when you boot up on the Compaq machine? Depending the
model, Compaq may have the restore files on a hidden partition. You would
possibly still need the original CD key.
If that is not an option, you will need to purchase either 98 or XP. Since
this is for academic use, you can get the reduced price for academic
versions. You will need the full version of 98 or XP.
If you decide to go with XP, I would suggest you download the upgrade
advisor to evaluate your hardware and software before even purchasing XP.
It is a large download, [around 50 megs] but it can save you some bucks and
hours of frustration. The advisor is also on the XP CD, so if you have a
friend with the XP CD, you could borrow the CD to run the advisor if
downloading such a large file is out of the question.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Also check the Compaq website for upgrade advice on the model you intend to
upgrade.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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