Was told by repair store that computer has serious virus and it would be best for a complete reinstall. Do not have original CDs of the OPERATING system BUT it is a valid and authenicated OS by Microsoft. If I install a NEW XP OS, are there any other problems? Does the Compaq BIOS have any issue when a none OEM(as originaly sold) OS? I have installed hard drives before and have re-installed original OEM OS but never with a new OS. Any comments are greatly appreciated.Forget about the BIOS...
Re-install XP and you should be good to go...
Remember on a clean install all drivers need to be re-installed,,,...or use Compaq recovery disks, or recovery partition, if you don't want to deal with drivers.thanks for the fast replies, just for my peace of mine, I am going to purchase new XP OS and will be completly wiping the diskclean before this new install. I understand I will have to load new drivers for my PRINTERS, scanners, etc. Is this what you mean about new drivers?
I am a little leary of this but when I did the similar thing with a notebook and BRAND new hard drive and using the existing CDs from the notebook manufacturer there was no problems.
Again APPRECIATE these comments, does make my plan a little more comfortable.Quote

Is this what you mean about new drivers?

Install the motherboard "chipset" driver first