Mattboy said:
Sorry Malke, I meant I do not have the recovery disk to do a full
reformat, so is there any other ways I could go about it?
So this is a second question unrelated to the Search problem? Packard
Bell had to provide you a way to return the computer to factory
condition. They could do this by:
1. Providing Recovery Disks which have an image of the install.
2. Providing a Recovery image on a special, sometimes hidden partition
on the hard drive.
3. Providing a physical cd of the actual operating system.
Refer to your manual or the OEM's website for how to restore your
specific model computer.
If PB's method of recovery was #1 (and not also #2), then your best
course of action is to contact them and purchase Recovery Disks. HP's
cost around $25USD; I don't know about PB - you'll need to call them.
The alternatives are:
1. Take the machine to a local professional (not a BigStoreUSA type of
place) where they may use a generic OEM install disk (which will work
with your Product Key from the sticker on the machine). I do this for
my clients because your license is the Product Key, not the physical
cd. This will not install any programs preloaded by PB.
2. Purchase a retail copy of XP and install it. Get the drivers for your
hardware from PB's website for your specific model machine ahead of
time because they need to be installed after the operating system.
Malke