need to reboot pc but only have serial number and no disc. help???

[matt]

i need to completely reboot my pc, but i never had a windows xp disc with my
computer, it was already installed. i have a windows xp home edition serial
number on my tower unit but was wondering where i can get a disc as i don't
want to spend £50 buying a new one as i already own a liscence. can anyone
help?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

i need to completely reboot my pc,

First, a word on the terminology. You don't mean "reboot. To reboot
means to start it up; it's something that you probably do at least
once a day.

What you presumably mean is that you want to *reinstall* Windows
cleanly from scratch. I doubt very much that you *need* to, and in
most circumstances it's a mistake. Besides its being a lot of work, it
leaves you without ever finding out what you did to cause the problem.
That means that you will very likely repeat the behavior that caused
it, and quickly find yourself back in the same situation.

but i never had a windows xp disc with my
computer, it was already installed. i have a windows xp home edition serial
number on my tower unit but was wondering where i can get a disc as i don't
want to spend £50 buying a new one as i already own a liscence. can anyone
help?

If you don't have a Windows XP CD, you probably have a hidden restore
partition on your drive. Whether you do, and how to use it depends on
the particular brand and model you have. Check your documentation for
instructions, and if you can't find them, contact the computer's
manufacturer or look on its web site.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

i need to completely reboot my pc,

Then simply click Start > Shutdown > Restart.

but i never had a windows xp disc with my
computer, it was already installed.

The installation CD isn't required to reboot the computer.


i have a windows xp home edition serial

number on my tower unit but was wondering where i can get a disc as i don't
want to spend £50 buying a new one as i already own a liscence. can anyone
help?

--

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

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Use the hidden Recovery parition to *reinstall* Windows, matt. Check with
the manufacturer's support desk.