How to factory restore without XP disk

[Sarge]

I just bought a computer from a guy on Craig's List. There is all kinds of
junk on it. I have the sticker for Windows XP on the bottom of the laptop
but no XP disk. Can I basically wipe everything out without having the disk?

 

[John John (MVP)]

Maybe the laptop has a recovery partition? Give us the make and model
number of the laptop and maybe someone reading here who is familiar with
the machine may be able to offer more help.

John

 

[DL]

Does it have a rcovery partition?
You can wipe everything, but unless you have a installation disk or recovery
media you will end up with a door stop

 

[db]

the first step is to
get all the info and
faq's from its home
site.



--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
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- Accountancy
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- @hotmail.com
"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Sarge]

No installation disk. Nada.

Does it have a rcovery partition?
You can wipe everything, but unless you have a installation disk or recovery
media you will end up with a door stop

 

[Sarge]

It's a emachine M5305 laptop.

Maybe the laptop has a recovery partition? Give us the make and model
number of the laptop and maybe someone reading here who is familiar with
the machine may be able to offer more help.

John

 

[Mike Torello]

Can I basically wipe everything out without having the disk?

Sure... but how are you gonna put it back together without a disc?

 

[Daave]

According to the manual (pp. 62 -64) from this page:

http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Notebooks&subcat=M-Series&model=M5305

your laptop came with a recovery CD. That CD has value! It's too bad you
didn't get it when you purchased the used laptop.

Try contacting eMachines. They might be able to get you one for a
nominal fee. Otherwise, you might have luck here:

http://www.restoredisks.com/

 

[Daave]

Sure... but how are you gonna put it back together without a disc?

Mike, certain systems (not OP's, however) do have a means of being able
to return to their original factory state. Instead of a disk, the user
may access a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive. So not only
does everything get wiped, but everything is put back together, too.

But, personally, I think the best way is to use an actual XP
installation CD, which can also be used for repair installs and as the
basis for a newer slipstreamed installation CD. Even better is to image
the hard drive once the latest SP and subequent security patches are
installed -- along with all the programs.

 

[Mike Torello]

Mike, certain systems (not OP's, however) do have a means of being able
to return to their original factory state. Instead of a disk, the user
may access a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive. So not only
does everything get wiped, but everything is put back together, too.

"wipe everything" means (to ME at least) WIPE EVERYTHING. That
includes the hidden partition.

 

[Daave]

"wipe everything" means (to ME at least) WIPE EVERYTHING. That
includes the hidden partition.

It may mean that to you, but also note OP said "basically." ;-) And
considering OP's Subject line, I'm sure it's safe to assume all he is
interested in is returning his PC to its original factory condition.
Then again, his PC doesn't even have a recovery partition, so the point
is moot in his case.