Anybody got a spare Windows XP home disc ?

[LC926]

My sons HP notebook is a bit messed up and it didn't come with any discs.
Does anybody have an XP Home edition disc and Key they don't need please so i can try and repair his copy.

Cheers
Paul

[Vixpy1]

cough.. Torrent .. cough

[LC926]

Vixpy1 said:

cough.. Torrent .. cough

cough...i think thats what..cough..caused the trouble..cough..in the first place.. cough

[stevieb]

There is usually a HP recovery partition you can access by pressing F2 or F10 on startup.

What HP laptop is it? I have a HP530 and has an option to burn the recovery partitions onto 6x CDs/DVDs but you need to access the recovery partition on startup.

[LC926]

I said HP, it is actually a Compaq, probably because the software says HP all over it.
It is a 700E notebook, the other issue is no built in CD drive so will attempt to use usb sticks if i have to.
What ever virus/ issue he had, has left a lot of the programs gone or well hidden, for example going into system tools, there is nothing there.
So i just wanted to do a repair installation.
I'll try the F2 keys

[stevieb]

LC926 said:

I said HP, it is actually a Compaq, probably because the software says HP all over it.
It is a 700E notebook, the other issue is no built in CD drive so will attempt to use usb sticks if i have to.
What ever virus/ issue he had, has left a lot of the programs gone or well hidden, for example going into system tools, there is nothing there.
So i just wanted to do a repair installation.
I'll try the F2 keys

Installing windows from a USB drive is an absolute pain in the A%$&

if you are going to reistall get your hands on a USB CD/DVD Drive it makes things a whole lot easier.

If you are struggling give me a shout, i may be able to help, but would still need your license number to install the OS. If its just a CD/DVD drive you need i have got on in the office which i can let you borrow. But not sure where you are based.

Edited by stevieb on Wednesday 19th January 15:38

[LC926]

Steve, i'm in Camberley
The issue with the license key is it's partially rubbed off from the sticker making it unreadable.
I did download one of those key reader programs, but it came up with something completely different.
I'll see if it has a recovery partition tonight.

[stevieb]

I am only down the road from you, I am in knaphill . If you need a USB cd or DVD drive let me know..

[touching cloth]

Think I have an old XP <cough> Corporate disc here that will load a completely fresh version on (Corp same as XP Pro I think, but don't believe it requires activation once loaded. Can bring tomorrow night if you want it, you'd need a USB CD Drive from one of these chappees however as from the above sounds like copying to USB stick will not be the easiest way.

[LC926]

Thanks Steve & TC.

TC can i take you up on that please, i think a fresh load will be the way to go.
Steve, i'll be in touch, i might have an offer of one more locally.

Cheers