quick question about formatting

[master353]

I got a laptop that I got for free when I signed up for a security thing. The company went out of business so i got to keep the laptop. There is alot of junk on it and I want to get rid of everything. It came with 3 cds, on thast says 2-1 recovery cd, 2-2 recovery cd, system cd. I know when you format you need the windows xp cd, is that the system cd? I want to make sure before i do it. I also made a boot disk, would that do anything just incase something goes wrong?

 

[ssjheero_yuy99]

If you format the boot disk does not help. it saves the MBR for the most part. If the disks are actually windows install disks then you're fine, if they are some other thing, then no. Put them in the drive, boot to them and see if it is the normal windows disk or something that is recovery for the computer.

If its the computers recover disk, then it will most likely put all the junk back on.

If it is a windows disk you can use a format utility like Boot and nuke, (or windows does it but I like to really destroy data), then reinstall windows.

Also the other thing you can do is find a friend who has the windows xp disk, or download it, and use the key that is on the key tag on the laptop so that you know you are using a legal key. It will probably be an OEM key, but that shouldn't make a difference.

 

[master353]

Ok thanks, THey are recovery discs not windows discs.

 

[ssjheero_yuy99]

try and find a friend who has the disk, or download the ISO. then use the key that is located on the windows key tag is your best choice then.

 

[master353]

then use the key that is located on the windows key tag is your best choice then.

Where is the windows tag? Is it in the system information in control panel?

 

[Wverb0783]

If one is a system disk it should allow you to install a factory preset of windows back on the system , not just a recovery. as i have done it many times for my ex with her acer laptop. it too comes with 2 recovery disks, 1 of 2 and 2 of 2 then the system disk. you shouldn't have any problems. But as ssjheero_yuy99 mentioned that would work just fine. the tag is a physical tag, likely located on the bottom of the laptop, on desktpos it's on the top or back panel. Good luck.