Combine partitions and reinstall windows

[lee101]

Hi,
My laptop has 3 partitions of one HDD and i would like to know if it is possible to combine them all into one, C, and then format the HDD and reinstall windows, i know this may sound very simple to some of you but i have never had to install an OS or format my HDD before, i relyed on annoying system restore disks, also if i was to do this where would i find the activation key for XP, is it the code on the windows sticker? Could someone please explain to me how to do this as i need to get my laptop fixed by tomorrow if possible
Thanks,
Lee

 

[elmarcorulz]

download a program called partition magic. this will allow you to merge the partitions, and has a simple interface.

 

[lee101]

Thnks for the quick reply, i thought i would have to use something like that but once i have done that how do i format my HDD, or do i just restart with my windows CD inserted and then will it do everything automatically?

 

[elmarcorulz]

it wont do it automatically, but it will give you the option just before it installs windows

 

[Geoff]

you dont even need partition magic, just restart your system and pop in the windows xp cd, then when it gives you a list of hard drives and partitions, just delete the other partitions and you will have one whole one.

 

[elmarcorulz]

oh damn, good point geoff

 

[lee101]

Ok, thanks for them replys, i will do it in a min when i have had my dinner

 

[kof2000]

before you reformat, you can find out your cdkey by running tweak xp.

 

[lee101]

I have downloaded tweak XP and Magic jellybean keyfinder so i can find the cd key and they both give me the same code, although there is a sticker on the bottom of my laptop which has a different code written on it, should i just ignore the sticker or the keys that i got from tweak XP?
thanks!

 

[elmarcorulz]

i would use the code on the case, but write down the key from magic jelly bean too, just incase.

 

[lee101]

Thanks for the rapid responses from everyone!
I have managed to combine all partitions into one using the XP setup and am currently formatting it, so at the moment everything is going well, but i would just like to know what is the worst thing that could happen?

 

[elmarcorulz]

your hard drive could suddenly die. i highly doubt it will, but thats pretty much the worst thing that could happen

 

[lee101]

Oh, a hard drive error may be unlikely for most ppl but i am incedibly unlucky with computers! they seem to hate me

 

[lee101]

At last, i have succesfully reinstalled windows! with just one partition and (surprisingly) nothing went wrong although what i did find weird was the fact that windows never asked me for the CD key, which i thought it would do