View Full Version : computer is sucky, help me fix it please.
Ive got all ym pictures and documents I need to keep backed up. I wanna nuke everything and start fresh again like it was new back in 05. Ive got windows XP, the computers a compaq. Dunno anything else bout it.
I tried system restore but it only goes back 3 months lol.
I dont have my windows disk or anything anymore either. And I would prefer not having to buy a version.
Thank you in advance.
Mark_88
02-02-2009, 07:58 PM
Well...without the disk to install the OS you're pretty much limited...and there is no way to actually R&R an OS without an install disk and serial number...the only option is to borrow an install CD...you can still use the same serial number, but if you don't have that...you may be able to pull it from the registry...but I've never done that so I couldn't tell you how to do it...
By OS, you mean operating system eh?
how much is a copy of windows at the store?
what do I do if I have a copy of windows like youre saying?
Mark_88
02-02-2009, 08:09 PM
By OS, you mean operating system eh?
how much is a copy of windows at the store?
what do I do if I have a copy of windows like youre saying?
Sorry, yes...OS is Operating System...
If you have a disk just insert it in the CD and reboot...follow the prompts to install new...format the Hard Disk to wipe out the old and then it will proceed to install the operating system on the formatted Hard Disk (HDD)...but you will need to type in the license key at the end so make sure you have that or it won't finish the installation...
Not even sure if you can buy a copy of XP anymore...I know it is nearly impossible to get one in Canada...but you may be able to contact Microsoft and they might sell you a license key if you have the CD...
You can also buy the CD in the MCSE Windows XP book...the book is about $115 and it comes with a limited license if I recall correctly...but it has SP2 on it and you can then download SP3 if you want that...or call MS and buy the SP3 CD for $10...
eh? SP? you lost me on the last paragraph man lol.
I dont have the CD anymore. Will one of these work?
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10049626&catid=10657
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10049524&catid=10657
No wonder Bill Gates is rich! look at how much that crap costs!
oh and is there anyway I can dig back to like 2006 restore point manually...
v-8power
02-02-2009, 08:28 PM
SP stands for service pack. just an update from microsoft.
The product code should be on the side or back of your computer (the case)
It'll go something like this
c985s-nndkd-ndndn-ndndn-ndndn If you can find a instal disk you should be able to use these numbers. I can't remember for sure.
Kdawg532
02-02-2009, 09:09 PM
eh? SP? you lost me on the last paragraph man lol.
I dont have the CD anymore. Will one of these work?
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10049626&catid=10657
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10049524&catid=10657
No wonder Bill Gates is rich! look at how much that crap costs!
dude i wouldnt pay that much for xp if i were you, look on ebay, BUT ONLY BUY IT IF ITS A RETAILER, DONT BUY IT FROM A PERSON.
superdave1984
02-02-2009, 09:28 PM
Download uTorrent. Then go to www.thepiratebay.com and download a copy of XP that matches your version (home or pro). Burn it as .iso then boot to the cd you just burned, format, reinstall. You should be able to use the product key on your computer. If that fails, there are a TON of keygens out there.
CJREX
02-02-2009, 09:39 PM
Being that it's a Compaq, you might be able to find a set of Restore Discs on evilbay.
Without the restore discs, you can reload from a full copy of XP but then you're going to spend a good bit of time downloading the drivers for your particular model from the Compaq website.
If possible, get the drivers for your machine before you start the re-install.
An HP/Compaq will very often have ZERO connectivity after a load from retail XP. They like to use proprietary drivers for everything.
bigjaydog
02-02-2009, 09:57 PM
what superdave1984 said is the easiest way to reformat ur computer without spendin over $130 and you cant buy xp off the shelf anymore
CJREX
02-02-2009, 10:02 PM
But it's ILLEGAL and will get the thread locked pronto.
Mark_88
02-03-2009, 07:54 AM
oh and is there anyway I can dig back to like 2006 restore point manually...
Unfortunately, no...unless you've created a restore point at that time it's not possible...not sure how many restore points XP actually keeps, but if you don't see one that old...it's not an option...
I was going to suggest checking your RAM before doing a fresh install (even though fresh OS installs are relatively simple, they don't always need to be done) because if your system is bogging down there could be other factors...like insufficient RAM or Hard Disk space...
You can check the RAM by right-clicking on the My Computer icon and selecting Properties...the RAM is listed on the right...usually in MB...
kossdust
02-03-2009, 08:17 AM
To find your windows key do a google search for magic jelly bean windows
should point you to a program that you can download and will tell you the serial number of your OS and other MS products
There also should be a sticker on the side of your case that will tell you a key too, most likely they are not the same as how computer places load the OS but that is neither here nor there.
Next I assume you have a OEM key for xp but the question is it pro or home. The program should tell you that when you run it. After you know start asking people to borrow there CD or get it on the internet, don't bother paying for it, it can be found for free. If you have a lot of problems finding it shoot me a PM and I might have a CD I could send you.
IamMonsterMan
02-03-2009, 09:12 AM
It is NOT illegal to download a copy of Windows as long as you have the Blue/Green Windows sticker with your serial number
My computer teacher informed me of that, so download away, as long as you have the little Windows sticker it is not illegal
superdave1984
02-03-2009, 09:48 AM
It is NOT illegal to download a copy of Windows as long as you have the Blue/Green Windows sticker with your serial number
My computer teacher informed me of that, so download away, as long as you have the little Windows sticker it is not illegal
Correct sir.
smokey
02-03-2009, 04:52 PM
what model compaq is it? Many of the compaq and Hp have a hidden partition on the HD that is called the recovery partition in has the OS on it there.
if Not you can get the compaq cd's fro0m compaq for about 20 dollars.
Some of the compaqs had a utility that allows you to create the windows recovery disk set it can be found in the tools folder under accessories.
ok I have a Recovery partition drive, I found in "my computer"... does this help any?
smokey
02-03-2009, 10:01 PM
What model is the compaq and I can give you instructions or just go to the compaq/hp site search your model and it will give you instructions to recover it.
smokey
02-03-2009, 10:10 PM
it should be a presario XXXX that is the numbers needed to get the correct instructions
97RangerXLT
02-04-2009, 05:26 AM
IF this is a Compaq, it likely has a restore partition in the harddrive. unless you already reformatted the harddrive and nuked this partition, it should have everything on it to restore it to "out of the box" condition.
explore that drive (it is likely the "D:\" drive and find an executeable that will put your computer into the restore mode.
AJ
Jason
02-04-2009, 05:34 AM
Maybe superdave could fix it. I hear he works cheap.
http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38296
Bring Listerine. :D
it should be a presario XXXX that is the numbers needed to get the correct instructions
alright its compaq presario sr1620nx.
Mark_88
02-04-2009, 07:39 AM
Sorry, I keep forgetting that Compaq and others have preinstalled OS from an OEM disk...but you can get around that if you really want too...I put Win2K on a Compaq computer and everything was there except a driver for the Ethernet...and I got around that by just installing a PCI card...
ooooh! sweeet its Sooooooo fast now!
I just clicked F10 while the system was booting up..and it took me to recovery mode. I guess I wouldve noticed that if I ever shut it off before.
So now does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do to keep my computer good from now on? I would be more specific, but thats about as comprehensive as I can get lol.
IamMonsterMan
02-04-2009, 09:11 PM
Scan for viruses and all that other nasty stuff often. Clean the registry, Disk Cleanup, and Defragment every once in a while and you should be all set
Mark_88
02-04-2009, 10:06 PM
Soooooo...what was wrong with it???? Did you just reboot it and it worked better or did you reinstall the OS?
As for keeping a computer clean...the above suggestions would help...I always recommend putting data on a separate drive if possible...like personal files, music, and all that stuff so it doesn't clutter up the drive that the OS is on...but depending on how big your drive is...
Partitioning drives also helps...and that can be done easy enough with free software...but it's best done before you reinstall the OS...oh, and get more RAM if you havne't done that already...
smokey
02-04-2009, 10:16 PM
AVG antivirus, malwarebytes, ccleaner, comodo firewall spywareblaster all are good programs to keep your system clean and running well.
k well when i start having problems again Ill dig this thread back up hah.
Mark_88 when the comp is loading up.. like after a restart, it has an option to run system recovery and tells you to hit F10 if want to do so. Took 15 minutes, wiped out everything and shes back to new. Except I forgot a couple programs I needed that got erased...like my printer and camera programs...but no big loss. My desktop background even works now!
Mark_88
02-05-2009, 12:35 AM
k well when i start having problems again Ill dig this thread back up hah.
Mark_88 when the comp is loading up.. like after a restart, it has an option to run system recovery and tells you to hit F10 if want to do so. Took 15 minutes, wiped out everything and shes back to new. Except I forgot a couple programs I needed that got erased...like my printer and camera programs...but no big loss. My desktop background even works now!
Ah, cool...thanks for the update...I always like to know how these things turn out...and what the fix was...just for interest sake...:icon_thumby:
... There's always Linux... it's not a bad OS, just a huge learning curve.
Mark_88
02-06-2009, 02:46 PM
... There's always Linux... it's not a bad OS, just a huge learning curve.
Yeah, RedHat10 is now out (or has been for a while)...
I just installed XP, 2003 Server and RH10 on a triple boot computer...they all lived happily ever after...
The RH10 also gave me the grub installer that allows you to choose between the OS you want to use...so if someone wants to play around with it and still keep their current OS its a viable option...
gogoober
02-14-2009, 06:16 PM
i may be new to somethings but windows xp and 98 are my specialty. is your computer just slow, has trouble getting on the internet, error messages, etc. i can help you fix it with just knowing what the symptoms are. microsoft does offer a free complete download of windows xp operating system or boot disk on their website but it wont be found my a basic search. most generally it is just minor clean up that needs to be done. generally your registry rarely has to be cleaned. if necessary i have a few programs that are free and highly recommended by my brother who works for microsoft as a software programmer.
gogoober
02-14-2009, 06:18 PM
check out my thread titled what is your computer doing for some insight
im happy I did what I done...I got back a bunch of programs that came with the system that I forgot I once had. Other programs work as they are supposed to....and most importantly I got rid of 5 years worth of cumulative junk I only used once then forgot about etc...
Ive got all my photos loaded onto a web album too so I dont have to worry about loosing them...since I have a hard time keeping track of stuff, and dont have to worry about my comp crashing and loosing them all.
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.