B
Big_Al
gsquared said:
Not sure about the "why you didn't get the answer" comment, but I saw
both your responses. Thanks. I can't come up with any good ideas
however.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Not sure about the "why you didn't get the answer" comment, but I saw
both your responses. Thanks. I can't come up with any good ideas
however.
G
Guest
gsquared said:I bought a pre-packed computer with Windows XP preloaded and no CDs, now my
system is starting to get hinky and I want to create a boot CD. Are these
available anywhere? I looked around online and it seems I can make one if I
have a C:1836 folder, but I do not. ANy ideas?
Sadly, your problem is a common one. Much has been written on the
subject and numerous solutions are available.
You just won't hear about any of them in any newsgroup containing
the substring "microsoft". Broaden your search.
I'm no expert, but I can give you a hint to avoid one costly rookie
mistake.
Do not buy a random XP cd expecting it to install on your system.
If it has a key, you have no way to know if it's valid until M$ denies
your use of your computer. The key is visible thru the shrink-wrap
and is easily compromised. No way an ebay seller would sell you a
compromised key...right!
Even an (apparently) brand new shrink-wrapped key can be
blacklisted...long after you thought it was good...sorry for any
inconvenience...
You can get around this problem by purchasing a disk in person from
an authorized
dealer at GREAT expense...no wait...they don't offer XP any more...
sorry for any inconvenience...
But you have a key...well...maybe.
XP disks come in different types depending on the sales channel.
Keys are different.
Use a keyfinder to determine your current XP Key.
You'll probably find that it is NOT the same key as on the COA
sticker on the computer.
My personal experience is that there are two categories of XP install
CD's.
1) The vendor install CD that should have been supplied with your PC.
It should not require a key or activation.
2)All other CD's that require a key but will NOT ACCEPT either of the
two keys you have.
Sorry for any inconvenience...
How do you tell which is which before you buy it?
Short answer is, "you don't"...sorry for any inconvenience...
Image your drive before you start experimenting. By the time you
get to learn that the key won't work, it's too late...sorry for...
I once had a Compaq laptop.
I had the i386 folder, but the option to make disks works only once
then deletes itself. Second owner == screwed.
After googling and experimenting for a week,
I determined that there was NO sanctioned WAY to create or obtain
an install CD.
The OS is tied to the original PC. You own the original PC.
Therefore you own the license. You just can't get the ones
and zeros to implement the OS for which you own the license.
Interesting what you can get away with if you own the market...
and the justice department...oops...almost went off on a RANT.
There's a LOT of help available to you to implement the license
you own...just not here.
J
Jeffrey W. Bowen
Please go to this link:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&rule=79&product=457547
It has all of the necessary information you need for restoring your system
to its original state.
Please don't argue this time. This is on the Compaq site and it relates
specifically to your make and model computer. It even tells how to find out
if you can make a recovery cd from your system. If you don't believe me,
search the site for your make and model and click on any links that "might"
relate to your question. If you click on the right ones, you should find the
page to which the above link refers.
I am confident that this will answer your questions about how to restore
your computer to factory specs. Please, all of the people who have responded
for your request for help are doing their best to assist you with what they
know based on your information. Please try our suggestions before assuming
we don't know what we are talking about.
Also, most locally owned computer repair shops have the necessary tools to
get access to the "hidden" partition from which can be extracted the
necessary data to create a homemade install/recovery bootable cd which is
what I think you really want to help you accomplish your task. As has been
suggested by Mike Hall, backup all of your personal data before doing what
the instructions say. I know this is possible, because I had done this
myself with a relative's computer when it started having problems, I was
able to rescue many of the programs that came with her original computer so
I could preserve them until she absolutely had to replace her computer with
a new system.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&rule=79&product=457547
It has all of the necessary information you need for restoring your system
to its original state.
Please don't argue this time. This is on the Compaq site and it relates
specifically to your make and model computer. It even tells how to find out
if you can make a recovery cd from your system. If you don't believe me,
search the site for your make and model and click on any links that "might"
relate to your question. If you click on the right ones, you should find the
page to which the above link refers.
I am confident that this will answer your questions about how to restore
your computer to factory specs. Please, all of the people who have responded
for your request for help are doing their best to assist you with what they
know based on your information. Please try our suggestions before assuming
we don't know what we are talking about.
Also, most locally owned computer repair shops have the necessary tools to
get access to the "hidden" partition from which can be extracted the
necessary data to create a homemade install/recovery bootable cd which is
what I think you really want to help you accomplish your task. As has been
suggested by Mike Hall, backup all of your personal data before doing what
the instructions say. I know this is possible, because I had done this
myself with a relative's computer when it started having problems, I was
able to rescue many of the programs that came with her original computer so
I could preserve them until she absolutely had to replace her computer with
a new system.
J
Jeffrey W. Bowen
Hello again,
Here is another link for ordering a recovery kit cd from the Compaq website.
I couldn't test it because I do not have a serial number to input to get to
a transaction page. Usually one has to pay for shipping if they can't just
download the software to make the cd themselves. This is for your system
specifically.
https://warp2.external.hp.com/driver/dr_country_select.asp?Product=5070-0064&lang=en&cc=us
I hope this helps, and good luck.
Peace,
Jeffrey W. Bowen
Remove No . . . .Spam from email address to send private message, but please
respond to the group to let us all know if my suggestions helped.
Here is another link for ordering a recovery kit cd from the Compaq website.
I couldn't test it because I do not have a serial number to input to get to
a transaction page. Usually one has to pay for shipping if they can't just
download the software to make the cd themselves. This is for your system
specifically.
https://warp2.external.hp.com/driver/dr_country_select.asp?Product=5070-0064&lang=en&cc=us
I hope this helps, and good luck.
Peace,
Jeffrey W. Bowen
Remove No . . . .Spam from email address to send private message, but please
respond to the group to let us all know if my suggestions helped.
J
Jeffrey W. Bowen
Hello,
Please go to this link and follow the instructions. Try this before deciding
I am not helping as I hope to do.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&rule=79&product=457547
In short, turn off your computer and then turn it back on. While the
computer starts up press F10 repeatedly until you get a menu that should
give you options for recovering or reinstalling your system. One of the
choices should be "Destructive Recovery" or something similar to that. What
this means is that your system will wipe itself clean and reinstall itself
to complete factory specifications. Do a back up of your personal files and
settings if necessary because all of these will be permanently lost. I 2 or
4 gigabyte flash drive can be purchased cheap and works nicely for this
purpose, or you can purchase a portable usb Hard drive and back up the whole
system from which you can recover to your present imperfect state if needed.
I hope this helps in some way, because most computer manufacturers just
don't like doing CD or DVDs any more.
Good luck,
Jeffrey W. Bowen
Please go to this link and follow the instructions. Try this before deciding
I am not helping as I hope to do.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&rule=79&product=457547
In short, turn off your computer and then turn it back on. While the
computer starts up press F10 repeatedly until you get a menu that should
give you options for recovering or reinstalling your system. One of the
choices should be "Destructive Recovery" or something similar to that. What
this means is that your system will wipe itself clean and reinstall itself
to complete factory specifications. Do a back up of your personal files and
settings if necessary because all of these will be permanently lost. I 2 or
4 gigabyte flash drive can be purchased cheap and works nicely for this
purpose, or you can purchase a portable usb Hard drive and back up the whole
system from which you can recover to your present imperfect state if needed.
I hope this helps in some way, because most computer manufacturers just
don't like doing CD or DVDs any more.
Good luck,
Jeffrey W. Bowen