Where to find Windows XP to reintsall

[barbharbor]

My laptop has factory installed Windows XP but there is a virus (or
something) and I can not access the internet. I would like to wipe the
system and reinstall Windows but I can't locate the CD it came with (if it
came with a CD). I have the product key for Windows XP but not sure where
to find the software. Any thoughts?

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

My laptop has factory installed Windows XP but there is a virus (or
something) and I can not access the internet. I would like to wipe the
system and reinstall Windows but I can't locate the CD it came with (if it
came with a CD). I have the product key for Windows XP but not sure
where
to find the software. Any thoughts?

It depends entirely on what the supplier arranged. You need to read the
manual that came with your laptop. If you cannot locate this either then you
should consult the FAQ pages of this particular manufacturer.

 

[Guest]

Best thing for you is to search Ebay & buy an OEM version of XP

 

[Bennett Marco]

My laptop has factory installed Windows XP but there is a virus (or
something) and I can not access the internet. I would like to wipe the
system and reinstall Windows but I can't locate the CD it came with (if it
came with a CD). I have the product key for Windows XP but not sure where
to find the software. Any thoughts?

By any chance are you given more than one option at bootup? One
should be a way to enter your BIOS. If you get another one, perhaps
your computer didn't come with a disc, but it has a hidden partition
that is used to return your computer to out-of-the-box condition like
it was the day you first got it.

 

[sandy58]

My laptop has factory installed Windows XP but there is a virus (or
something) and I can not access the internet.  I would like to wipe the
system and reinstall Windows but I can't locate the CD it came with (if it
came with a CD).    I have the product key for Windows XP but not sure where
to find the software.  Any thoughts?

Do you have a working e-mail address, barbharbor?
Maybe I can help.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

My laptop has factory installed Windows XP but there is a virus (or
something) and I can not access the internet. I would like to wipe the
system and reinstall Windows but I can't locate the CD it came with (if it
came with a CD). I have the product key for Windows XP but not sure where
to find the software. Any thoughts?

As you have an OEM installation (pre-installed at the factory) on
the computer, simply follow the manufacturer's recovery instructions in
the manuals that came with the computer (or consult the manufacturers'
web site). The OEM is contractually obligated to have provided you with
some means of restoring the computer to its original, ex-factory state.
Contact said manufacturer for any required assistance in accomplishing this.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Best thing for you is to search Ebay & buy an OEM version of XP

That's hardly the "best" thing. It's be more of a "last resort."

One must be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay makes
no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate. The problems
stem from two different sources, but have the same results: the buyer
gets ripped off. A great many people don't fully understand the terms
of the license they own, and don't understand that they cannot
legitimately resell it, and - worse still - there are a great many
sellers who do know that they're selling bogus licenses. eBay reacts
only when someone files a complaint, and then all that really happens,
especially in the case of the many deliberate fraudsters, is the seller
of the pirated software returns using a different alias, to continue
selling illegitimate licenses.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Guest]

Bruce,

If you get a COA then all is fine

 

[Jim]

My laptop has factory installed Windows XP but there is a virus (or
something) and I can not access the internet. I would like to wipe the
system and reinstall Windows but I can't locate the CD it came with (if it
came with a CD). I have the product key for Windows XP but not sure where
to find the software. Any thoughts?

Factory setting(s) usually in a hidden partition .

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Bruce,

If you get a COA then all is fine

Not if it's from an OEM license that has already been used on another
computer; and this is exactly the sort of thing that is widely available
on eBay.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Daave]

My laptop has factory installed Windows XP but there is a virus (or
something) and I can not access the internet. I would like to wipe
the system and reinstall Windows but I can't locate the CD it came
with (if it came with a CD). I have the product key for Windows XP
but not sure where to find the software. Any thoughts?

In order for anyone to help you , you will need to tell us the make and
model of the laptop. Once we know this, we should be able to guide you
to the proper method to reinstall XP.

Do you still have the documentation that came with the laptop? That
should have the information you need. If not, we should be able to help
you locate the user's guide, which undoubtedly can be downloaded from
the manufacturer's Web site.

 

[Guest]

Bruce,

You are so pessimistic!!

I have bought around 20 licenses (unused COA's) off of Ebay in the past &
each one has been fine. So, if you use someone who has many sales & is 100%
then you'll be fine

 

[barbharbor]

In order for anyone to help you , you will need to tell us the make and
model of the laptop. Once we know this, we should be able to guide you
to the proper method to reinstall XP.

Do you still have the documentation that came with the laptop? That
should have the information you need. If not, we should be able to help
you locate the user's guide, which undoubtedly can be downloaded from
the manufacturer's Web site.

It's a toshiba Satellite model A75-S2112. I probably have the documentation somewhere but it's sitting in a 30x15 storage unit packed top to bottom. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks to everyone who posted!

 

[Daave]

It's a toshiba Satellite model A75-S2112. I probably have the
documentation somewhere but it's sitting in a 30x15 storage unit
packed top to bottom. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks to
everyone who posted!

It looks like they provided you with a Recovery Disk. If you need to
purchase a replacement, try this phone number:

800-457-7777

Also, see:

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/home.jsp

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Bruce,

You are so pessimistic!!

True, but I've only very rarely been disappointed. There's even been
the occasional pleasant surprise. ;-}

I have bought around 20 licenses (unused COA's) off of Ebay in the past
& each one has been fine. So, if you use someone who has many sales & is
100% then you'll be fine

You've been lucky. Lots of other people haven't been quite so
fortunate, though. And remember, I didn't say _not_ to buy on eBay, but
rather to be very careful when doing so. You've gone the extra mile to
be safe, but a lot of people will just go for the cheapest or quickest
deal they can find.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot