XP reinstall-no disk

[squints 762]

Hello all. I have a Dell laptop I am in the process of replacing with a new machine. I would like to do a clean install of xp pro prior to selling it, but lost the disk. I have a valid license key. Any way to do it? The local computer shop wants $150, but I could do it if I had the disk. Is there another way to ensure all personal/work data is removed without doing a full re-install?

[EXreaction]

The easiest and most legit way of doing it would be to contact Microsoft and ask for them to ship you a new XP Pro disk...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...en-us;cntactms

I believe it costs about $10 for the replacement disk (including shipping).

If your selling the computer I recommend you do a complete erase of the drive as well. I would use Kill disk to do it (the free version works fine). Download that here:
http://download2.lsoft.net/boot-cd-iso.zip

Unzip it, then burn it to a cd, then just before you want to re-install XP erase the hard drives with Kill Disk, then reformat the drive with the XP disk and reinstall XP.

[benrober]

if you want to do an even better erase of your disk you can use

DBAN which can scrubs the disk to meet US Department of Defense specs. Here is the link
http://sourceforge.net/project/downl...use_mirror=umn

Just burn to a cd and boot from it when you want to erase. I have never used Kill Disk.

[Steve R Jones]

Since Microsoft doesn't support OEM's, you'll need to contact Dell to get a replacement cd.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

I've found that Dell (and other OEMs) often use a restore drive - or at least a restore utility...

If this is on your machine, you'd need to press one of the F keys at boot up.. (F10 or similar - it'd show up on one of the boot-screens... "Press F__ to enter restore more" or something like that)

[benrober]

I've found that Dell (and other OEMs) often use a restore drive - or at least a restore utility...

If this is on your machine, you'd need to press one of the F keys at boot up.. (F10 or similar - it'd show up on one of the boot-screens... "Press F__ to enter restore more" or something like that)

Yeah I believe Nude is right. I think the way you get to it is by entering the boot menu, probably F12 or something, and then boot the restore or diagnostic partition.

Good Luck

[EXreaction]

Oh yes, I missed the Dell part...

You will need to contact dell for a replacement disk then.


I have never seen a single dell with a restore partition. I have 2 dells that are about 5 years old, a dell I bought 6 months ago, and a dell that was bought 1 month ago, none had restore partitions.

[squints 762]

Thanks all. In response to Nude Lewd Man, would using the restore feature ensure that all the personal and company data is removed? I work as a business finance consultant, so I need to ensure my records cannot be accessed.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

Thanks all. In response to Nude Lewd Man, would using the restore feature ensure that all the personal and company data is removed? I work as a business finance consultant, so I need to ensure my records cannot be accessed.

I have used it before on this very (HP) LT..

I had the option of saving personal details/documents, but as I'd already backed everything up I didn't use that particular option... I chose to do what is essentially a clean install, I didn't have anything left on the machine at all (other than what was in the recovery sector, but I can't see ANYTHING in there at all - can't even access it...)

I can't remember whether or not I told it to perform a format or not, but as I said, there was nothing left on it, so either way....... I haven't used any of the tools that the others mentioned earlier, so that may (or may not) be something to consider - I would suggest trying the method mentioned above, then going back in to see if there's anything there...

From what I know, even though you might send it to the recycle bin, then empty that, the file/s are still on the drive until such point as it is over-written... All that happens when you "permanently delete" stuff is that the record of where it was is removed from the "File Access Table" which is where the computer looks to know where to find bits of file/s...

As to whether a format (or the other software) completely clears the disk I don't know, but it would cost a fair amount (think somewhere in the region of 2-3 months salary) for it to be "un-deleted"........ A considerable amount for someone to spend in order to find anything out - and that's if they know that you might have something on it....

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

I have never seen a single dell with a restore partition. I have 2 dells that are about 5 years old, a dell I bought 6 months ago, and a dell that was bought 1 month ago, none had restore partitions.

I've dealt with a few Dell/HP/Compaq machines, they don't always have it showing in "My Computer" but often have it hidden somehow so that it shows up on booting - before you get to the <don't know what it's called but what drives you have> screen....

[Steve R Jones]

Dell started doing the partition recovery thing about a year ago or so...Before then it was cd's....

[TOAD6147]

As to whether a format (or the other software) completely clears the disk I don't know, but it would cost a fair amount (think somewhere in the region of 2-3 months salary) for it to be "un-deleted"........

If it's at all "recoverable" then it won't cost anything to recover deleted files. They have freeware progams that do this. If you over-write the disk with "0"'s then I don't believe anything can retrieve it. I believe this is what a Low-level Format does which is what I use.

[osprey4]

I've found that Dell (and other OEMs) often use a restore drive - or at least a restore utility...

Dell uses a Symantec program called PC Restore. If PC Restore does not work, then see these instructions to fix it.

Dell will send you a regular XP disc if you complete this form.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

It it's at all "recoverable" then it won't cost anything to recover deleted files. They have freeware progams that do this. If you over-write the disk with "0"'s then I don't believe anything can retrieve it. I believe this is what a Low-level Format does which is what I use.

Although I don't seem to have mentioned it, I was referring to whether those files would be recovered after doing a format from the OS install - and as to whether any information that had been stored on the drive/volume would/could be recovered, which would cost £$£$£$ if it can... Or at least it costs £$£$£$ for data to be recovered from a failed disk, but I don't know whether it's the same procedure..........

[grflh]

most dell's have the restore partition. when booting up press CTRL-F11 as soon as you see the blue dell banner at top of screen. You will then boot to the symantic recovery partition.

GRFLH

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

Yeah, but I believe you have to press it twice.......