No Windows XP cd but need to delete everything?

Question

Im sure someone already asked but too lazy to look. So I want my comp back to original settings and delete eveything it didnt come with but I dont have my xp cd anymore. (actually I do but very scratched up,doesnt load). So how can I do this? Would a boot cd do the job? And how do you make one?

Answer 1

No, if you are going to get it back to how it came then take it up to Game Crazy or someother game store, they are willing to buff the disc for 2 dollars. The cd is like new when they are done.  

Answer 2

write down your current windows xp activation key using a program called

magical jelly bean (just google it)

download windows xp off p2p and burn the cd

or get the cd from a friend

install windows xp and type your activation key

if activation does not work follow the instructions during installation to call microsoft. give them your current cdkey and they will trade it for one that works.

of course p****y is prohibited on this website :)

another solution is to use Ubuntu.

ubuntu is a linux alternative to windows.

once you have installed ubuntu, you can download windows xp for free from microsoft

-> ubuntu.com

-> vmware server (google it)

-> windows xp appliance (google it)

Answer 3

0) Take out all the extra H/W that your computer did not come with, Printers, USB peripherals, etc.

1) Format & recover the system. To format, either use the windows CD that came with the computer (boot with the CD in the drive, it should be picked up by default) or when booting when you see your computer logo, start tapping F10 This should take you to a recovery menu <--- This only works if your system comes from HP/DellCompaq etc with XP/Vista. If you have updated your system regularly & have the latest Service Packs, you may get a message ike the version of windows on the system is newer than what you are trying to install. Go ahead & install anyways.

2) Install a good AV BEFORE you plug internet in.

3) Update AV the FIRST thing when you go online.

4) Enable windows Updates so that your computer has all the available patches. In fact I'd say after updating AV, go to windowsupdates.Microsoft.com & get ALL the updates.

5) Now get a good Firewall if you have a always on internet connection.

6) Get some good Anti Spyware/Malware too, Spybot "Search & Destroy" & "Ad-Aware" are what I use, they are good & they come free. Also get something like McAfee's Siteadvisor, which warns you which sites are known sites for sending spyware/malware/spammers.

When you are done, you can see how to make a recovery disk..