Can I recover my xp computer without an XP disk?

Question

I have an old XP computer that desperately needs this. It's really slow and has some viruses. It used to have Windows ME and my parents took it to some guy to get XP installed on it so I don't have the disk. Is it possible to still recover it without the disk?

Answer 1

No. You need an XP disk to reinstall windows.

Answer 2

If the operating system itself is damaged then you will need the CD installation disk. Otherwise it may be possible to fix it without the CD

Answer 3

If your Windows XP license is legitimate (in other words, the guy didn't install XP on both your parents PC and your PC), then you can get the XP license number from your System Properties window and contact Microsoft. It may take a couple of days and a couple of bucks, but they can send you a "replacement" disk. However, if the XP license is not legal, then you'll be opening a whole can of worms when you contact Microsoft.

You may still need that Windows ME boot disk as well -- not sure. Microsoft may be able to help you with that one too.

Answer 4

Try getting service pack 3. Or reboot your harddrive. In order to do so, whe starting up, press F12. using the arrow keys, select hard drive, and press enter. this might work.

Answer 5

You will more than likely have to go to the store and get an XP disk.  You can either get the upgrade version in which you would need to install your windows ME master CDs first and then upgrade to XP.

Or you could get the full version in which you could ignore the ME disk all together and format it from reformat your drive from there.

Answer 6

I am sorry, but without both the Windows Me and the upgrade XP disk you cannot recover this system. You see, once a system is upgraded, you must first install the OS the upgrade was based on, with its Product Code, and then install the upgrade XP also entering its Product Code. This is one of the main reasons I do not like to upgrade a system, but rather strongly prefer a Clean installation. The major issue is the cost difference between an upgrade and a retail version.

When an OS is upgraded from an older version to a newer version much of the data from the older version is brought forward into the newer. This includes some system code, and user preferences, settings, and accounts.

You would also need the Drivers and Utilities disk. So, I am sorry to report you cannot recover without the disks.  

Answer 7

If you paid someone to upgrade your OS from ME to XP you should have gotten the XP CD and key. Call the person who did the work and ask him where it is. Since you didn't get the CD it sounds like you have an unauthorized Corporate copy of XP on your rig. You need to buy a legitimate copy of XP if thats the case.

Answer 8

No it will not be possible without the disk. If you go and ask the computer guy for the disk he might give it to you. Also when you turn you computer on check if there is a recovery section on the very first screen. In the recovery section there might be a back up of xp, though I doubt that will be the case.

Answer 9

I believe Windows XP has a program that let's you make your own recovery disk, does it not?

It only works once though, check and see if you still can.

BTW for slower computers you might wanna try Linux. Alot "lighter" than running Windows and it's free. Linux also has almost no viruses for it. If you aren't a gamer, Linux would probably be the better choice.