I recently bought a computer from a friend of mine. Its about 1 year old. She didnt take very good care of it, when I got it I run muliple anti-virus and anti-spyware application, and found MANY lurking on the PC. Also there are alot of missing files for already installed software, and I have to deal with freaqent freezing. There is also a large chunk of hard drive (25 gigs) of wich I can not find anything taking up that space, like its lost or something.

So I decided to re-install windows. But this only helped slightly. So how do I do a fresh install of windows? I dont need anything thats currently on the comp. I would like to remove everything and install windows on a fresh HD. How can I do this? Another thing. The computer does not have a Windows XP CD, it came with windows XP on a seperate partision on the HD, thats the way it came out of the box.

Compaq Presario

1.8 Sempron
512 ram
75 gig HD (5 gig partition holding windows instalation)
Windows XPSee if you can benefit from using the latest HP-COMPAQ HELP AND SUPPORT CENTRE

Do you have a Compaq recovery CD which should come with the computer?

If you open Disk Management can you see any unallocated drive space?

If you unhide hidden files and folders can you see an I386 folder?

If so, burn the entire folder to a good quality CDR just in case the recovery goes wrong.

Click on the link below and head for the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder, find out the XP Product Key on the drive and write it down carefully, double-checking that you didn't make any mistake.

Then, using a CD marker write it down ON the CDR.Ok, I made a back up CD. Now how do I make a fresh install of windows? I dont want to just re-install it. I would imagine I dont have to manualy delete each file . Is there an easy way or just a hard way Hello Cindy, If you don't have the CDs there is no easy way...

Better read this so you KNOW what you are in to...

Quote

There are two types of Compaq restore CD's.

The first type is the Compaq Recovery CD. This is the CD that comes out of the box.

As far as I can tell, every Compaq computer, both DESKTOPS and laptops have one.

I checked out that both laptops and desktops have their hard drives partitioned in two, a C: drive and a D: partition.

The Compaq Recovery CD does not contain the actual files used in restoring the computer. Those files are contained in the D: partition.

This CD only contains BOOT files. When you boot your computer from this CD the program will look in the D: partition for the restore files and use those.

The second type of CD is what Compaq calls a QuickRestore CD.

This is a two CD set containing everything needed to restore the computer to its original factory state.

You can boot from these CDs, format your hard drive and re-install the system.

The only way that you can get these CDs is by calling Compaq technical support. If they want to charge you for these CDs just say, "When my system failed all the data was wiped out. Including the data in the D: partition, so there is no possibility left for me to restore the system using the Compaq Recovery CD.

If your computer is STILL under warranty, they will be obligated to send you those CD's for free.

You should get these CDs as soon as you get your computer, because sooner or later you will have a need for them.

Once your warranty expires Compaq will charge you.

Some technical support people are unaware that there are two types of CDs.

One I spoke to kept on telling me to boot to the Restore CD.

I replied that only the boot files are on the CD and it took some time to explain how the boot process works.

I was finally informed that the CDs would be sent to me.

These CDs should have come out of the box in the first place so as not to waste hard drive space.

Everyone should obtain these CDs before the warranty expires.

The manual does mention QuickRestore, but it doesn't distinguish between the Compaq Recovery CDs and the QuickRestore CD.