How to reformat (don't have CD)

Verve

Verve

New Member
My brother has a Sharp laptop and it didn't come with an XP disc. His computer is over run (and I mean OVER RUN) with viruses and spyware. The viruses and other crap have basically killed the computer, so I was gonna look into reformatting it for him.
But the problem is, he doesn't have an XP disc to reinstall it. (System restore doesn't work)
What can I do, just call up the company and ask for a disc?
 
Same thing happen to me, expect my computer got run over by viruses. What i did was put linux on my computer. I don't know if you want to do that but there is an option. Do you have different verison of Windows, 98 and the such.

If you bought the computer from a retailer, they'll usually give you a the xp cd, but it would be free. One of my friend did that once and it ended up cost about $50. Or you can just buy a new XP cd goes around for $199.99 USD.

What I would advise you to do is to go and get linux, which is for free, and format with that. Try it for a couple of days, if you don't like who cares you didn't pay for it.
 
And one more thing, If your getting Xp, use a anti-virus program, AVG, and a firewall. ZONE ALARM. It seems that was the problem in the first place. Lack of security.
 
Yeah, he didn't care at all... until it was too late. I told him not to do Kazaa and limewire and stuff, but he didn't listen :(
 
someone please correct me if i'm wrong. I think can you use an oem disc to reinstall windows and just use the product key on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
 
Yes, i tihnk you can, so long as it is the same version and service pack that the computer originally had instaled, eg you can't install xp home sp1 with a xp pro sp2 disc, as the CD key would not be accepted
 
Starwarsman said:
what disc is that?
Click to expand...
It is simply a XP install disc, like what you get when you buy XP. It should say Xp home/Pro on the front and have the windows logo
 
lee101 said:
It is simply a XP install disc, like what you get when you buy XP. It should say Xp home/Pro on the front and have the windows logo
Click to expand...
Oh, the problem is that we don't have the install disc... Never was given one.
 
Ok, I found 2 old CDs from another computer I have... They're Gateway and they say #1. Operating System Backup CD and #2. System Restoration CD. I think Windows is on one of these CDs. But I'm not sure about something. If I were to format the HD (on my brothers computer) would these Gateway CDs be able to install Windows again? Or will it not work because they're Gateway and not meant for the particular laptop?
 
There is a good chance they will not work. The disk will check hardware and then tell you that its the wrong computer before aborting the instal.
 
Hey, I just found a new CD. Its called just plain "Operating System" and under that it says "Use this CD to reinstall you operating system."

Ok, Is it possible that this cd is just an XP disc, but just with a blue gateway label? Also, could I try to reinstall without deleting the current XP first?
The instructions are:

1. Insert this CD into the CD/DVD drive
2. Restart the computer
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
 
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