Tech advice needed!

[mojo]

Helloo

I would like to format my main hard drive as my computer is bogged down with useless programs/porn/whatnot, but I am certainly a noob when it comes to this. what are my options? I can't find the windows backup dvd's I burnt when I first bought the laptop and I sure as hell don't want to spend the $80 or anything for that matter for a fresh copy of xp- can I download this, say, as a torrent, and then install updates manually?

Any info or ideas as to how this can be done would be reatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mike

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by mojo

Helloo

I would like to format my main hard drive as my computer is bogged down with useless programs/porn/whatnot, but I am certainly a noob when it comes to this. what are my options? I can't find the windows backup dvd's I burnt when I first bought the laptop and I sure as hell don't want to spend the $80 or anything for that matter for a fresh copy of xp- can I download this, say, as a torrent, and then install updates manually?

Any info or ideas as to how this can be done would be reatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mike

there may be a hidden partition w/ windows install in it.

laptop make and model?

[mojo]

Hi,

It is an HP dv5000 and is about 4 years old I guess. I have a "D" drive that says HP recovery but when i click on the little lock thing there is nothing there, just a warning not to do anything. I'm lost when it comes to this type stuff.

[stephen_c]

backup all ur data.
turn off and on ur laptop.
hit F11 when u see the HP logo.


HP Notebook PCs- Using the PC Recovery Solution - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Turn on the PC and repeatedly press the F11 key when the HP logo appears.
NOTE: Depending on the BIOS version, your computer may display multiple prompts during startup including F11 to start System Recovery. Pressing the F11 key on a computer with an HP factory image wiill start System Recovery even if the prompt is not displayed.

[Phrenetic]

Get a windows xp cd from a friend/torrent
buy and external drive
plug in external drive
plop everything on the external drive
turn it off unplug external drive
put in disk and turn on computer
boot from cd
install xp
google drivers for you make and model, install them, restart

bam brand new PC, install only what you need

[mojo]

i did it quick with stephen_c's link, but thanks anyway dude. and thanks again stephen!