How to format my computer if i dont have the cds?

Question

my computer is really slow, and i wanted to use the format method but i don't have the cd, is a windows xp

Answer 1

Formatting will erase everything on the hard drive. If you don't have the CD's then you can't install Windows after the format and you're still left with nothing.

Answer 2

Simple logic should tell you that if you erase your whole PC you will need to reinstall Windows. So if you don't have the CD and the license keys you are stuck.

Answer 3

Wow, just a couple of minutes ago this same question was asked!

You can do a factory reset only if you have a recovery partiton on the computer. It's also possible you can get a recovery set of cds from the manufacturer if it's not too old. If you repost with the make/model you'll get some help.

If it's not a brand-name, then you really do need an installation cd, and you'll need to find the hardware drivers.

Backup your data and consider taking it to a shop if neither of the above work for you.  They'll have an installation cd and can find drivers.

If you get it the way you want it, and still don't have cds for a reinstallaition, you might consider getting an external hard drive and a software product that makes an image copy (like Acronis True Image) so you'd have a fallback position if the hard drive or system go bad.

Answer 4

I'm guessing you know what formatting is? Anyways, go to start, My Computer. Then (idk how many hard drives you have) right click on one of the harddrives. Then it should give you the format option. Click on it and your good to go.

Answer 5

You have to have the installation disks if you want to completely wipe your PC and start fresh.

Answer 6

Right click your hard drive and you'll see the word "Format..."