Reinstalling Windows The Hard Way...

[Tom Ford]

Hi guys. A few years ago i purchased a new desktop PC from PC world
running Packard Bell (NEC) Windows XP MCE2005.

Recently i have had a few problems etc etc and i want to reinstall the
entire OS. I need to keep some certain files from a users profile so i
have backed these up on to a DVD and all is ready to go.
However....when i got the pc i didnt receive a boot/recovery cd! when
i powered up the pc for the first time it ran setup through a folder
on the c:\ drive (i382 or something?). I have a sticker on the pc
tower with the product key and genuine logo etc. How can i reinstall
windows back to its totally original state (the day i got the pc)
without the cd?

Thanks Tom

 

[Alias]

Hi guys. A few years ago i purchased a new desktop PC from PC world
running Packard Bell (NEC) Windows XP MCE2005.

Recently i have had a few problems etc etc and i want to reinstall the
entire OS. I need to keep some certain files from a users profile so i
have backed these up on to a DVD and all is ready to go.
However....when i got the pc i didnt receive a boot/recovery cd! when
i powered up the pc for the first time it ran setup through a folder
on the c:\ drive (i382 or something?). I have a sticker on the pc
tower with the product key and genuine logo etc. How can i reinstall
windows back to its totally original state (the day i got the pc)
without the cd?

Thanks Tom

What you need is on a hidden partition. You need to call Packard Smell
to find out how to use it.

Next time you buy a PC, insist on a recovery disc or, better yet, on a
XP CD and Drivers CD.

OR, better yet, get someone to build you a white box.

Alias

 

[Tom Ford]

What you need is on a hidden partition. You need to call Packard Smell
to find out how to use it.

Next time you buy a PC, insist on a recovery disc or, better yet, on a
XP CD and Drivers CD.

OR, better yet, get someone to build you a white box.

Alias

Is there anywhere i can download an image and burn to cd the setup
disk - surely this is legal if i have the product key right? I know
you can download the floppy disk versions from the ms download page
but my pc doesnt have a floppy drive

 

[Tom Ford]

What you need is on a hidden partition. You need to call Packard Smell
to find out how to use it.

Next time you buy a PC, insist on a recovery disc or, better yet, on a
XP CD and Drivers CD.

OR, better yet, get someone to build you a white box.

Alias

Im sure there was a recovery console that allowed you to totally
reinstall the pc but retain one users documents.....?

 

[Alias]

Is there anywhere i can download an image and burn to cd the setup
disk - surely this is legal if i have the product key right? I know
you can download the floppy disk versions from the ms download page
but my pc doesnt have a floppy drive

I don't know how Packard Smell configured their hidden partition. Give
them a call and see if they can help. If it were me, I would call them
and INSIST on a recovery disc.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Im sure there was a recovery console that allowed you to totally
reinstall the pc but retain one users documents.....?

You'll have to back them up to a DVD, CD, flash drive or external hard
drive before reinstalling or you'll lose everything.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Is there anywhere i can download an image and burn to cd the setup
disk - surely this is legal if i have the product key right?

It probably won't work because the bastardized copy of Windows that
Packard Smell provides is the only thing that will work with your
product key.

Alias
I know

 

[Rock]

Is there anywhere i can download an image and burn to cd the setup
disk - surely this is legal if i have the product key right? I know
you can download the floppy disk versions from the ms download page
but my pc doesnt have a floppy drive

No, there is no downloadable source. Check the documentation that came with
the computer on how to do the recovery or contact the computer's tech
support for help, or find someone who has the same make/model of computer
and copy their recovery CD, or find someone that has a generic OEM XP
installation CD for MCE. That might work with the product key on the
sticker. If so make a copy of it. Otherwise purchase a copy of XP.