Reformat xp help

[SuperBeastDJ]

Well Im selling my old pc for about $400 anyway, I need to reformat it and reinstall windows xp quick.

I cant find the recovery cd that came with it my mom has it in her endless pile of crap, so how do I make one, then how do i reformat the disk, then how do i install xp?

thank you

[rightcoast]

If you don't have the CD for windows that is registered to that computer no one here will help you get XP on there unless you go buy a copy. Sorry, don't shoot the messenger I am just letting you know.

What I would do if you can't find the CD is delete the data/programs you don't want, empty the recycle bin and then wipe the empty space by filling it a couple times. Here is an awesome little batch file for just that:

http://david.tribble.com/text/filldisk.html

You will need to paste the text of that "source code" into a plain text document (notepad)

Save it as filldisk.txt in C:\Filldisk
copy it and rename it filldisk.bat

You can then run the batch file from the command line

Go to Start>Run
type "CMD" without the quotes

type
CD C:\Filldisk

now you should see a prompt that says:
C:\Filldisk>

type
filldisk c

it should look like this
C:\Filldisk>filldisk c

Hit enter. Let it do it's thing. Delete everything inside the folder C:\Filldisk exept filldisk.txt and filldisk.bat
repeat for drive D,E etc if you have them or a partition acting as them

Do it a few more times depending on your paranoia factor

Now you can sell the PC with some programs on there already...but not your data. Everyone wins.

HTH

[SuperBeastDJ]

(solution removed by moderator)

anyway.. its good now and ready to sell.

[Panama Red]

As rightcoast so appropriately pointed out, using anything other than the XP cd that came with that machine is illegal and cannot be discussed here.

-----------------moderator---------------------

[SuperBeastDJ]

it is? thats stupid... I did not get a cd with the pc when i bought it.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by SuperBeastDJ it is? thats stupid... I did not get a cd with the pc when i bought it.

Prebuilt pc's come with a recovery partiton or a recovery CD set. The partition type recommend that you burn your own recovery CD's or DVD's in the event of a hard drive crash. It's not a case of "stupidity". It's a part of the licensing agreement that MS has with the oem builders. When you build your own and buy your own operating system (XP of some type), you can easily do a repair using your XP disk. However, the licensing agreement we all so quickly overlook and just click "I agree" to, clearly states that the software on that disk can only be installed LEGALLY on one computer.

[SuperBeastDJ]

but its the exact same software....

thats like buying 2 of the exact same cars, 1 for work, 1 for play.

[rightcoast]

thats like buying 2 of the exact same cars, 1 for work, 1 for play.

No, it is like you were mad because you were careless and burned your car to the ground in a fire mishap or something (lost didn't backup or burn recovery cd), so you figured you would steal one from the lot, because it isn't like some owns it or anything...just some big faceless company.

Only worse, you signed an explict contract promising not to do just that.

[Jimbo2150]

Really, if you lost the disc is noone elses fault but your own for not keeping track of it.

One other thing you could try is, if is a name-brand computer like a Dell or HP, call their tech support and see if they will send you a new recovery disc. Some will charge you a fee for the disc but it is usuall less then buying a retail Windows copy (OEM).

[SuperBeastDJ]

ill just drop this, you people are impossible

[glc]

Originally Posted by SuperBeastDJ ill just drop this, you people are impossible

http://forum.pcmech.com/rules.php

Zero Tolerance on Piracy NO WAREZ. NO SERIALS. NO CRACKS / CRACKING / ILLEGAL PROGRAMS. Anything that can be used in software piracy or other illegal software activities will result in a ban. Same goes for abusive programs like mailbombers, forum and usenet flooders and email harvesting bots. This also includes unreleased products. Workarounds which comprimise security, bypass password protection, or otherwise go to gain unauthorized access to private data or information is prohibitied. Links provided to locations that offer tutorials or tips for any of these activities are also forbidden.

Thread closed.