Format & Reinstall

Hello,

Due to a recent problem, out of my own concern, I was wondering whether its ok to format my computer and then re-install windows xp using the recovery disk.

My concern is whether the recovery disk can do that or is it only used for recovery purposes?

If so, what information will I need to note down? So far I was told that I would need to take down the product id number. Is there anything else?

Suggestions and comments by experienced users who have formatted and re-installed xp will be gladly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Krz

BTW, I'm my OS is windows xp home edition

 

KRZ,
The recovery CD will return your install to the image it came installed with from the factory. I dislike these "poor mans" OS disks, but often this is the only OS disk provided by the PC maker, that's why I prefer to build or use a generic (vanilla) PC. Anyway, any programmes you installed since receiving the PC will dissappear, so you will need the original install programme for these. If you configured your dial up connection you will need to write down ALL the settings you entered and any other personalising you have performed. Favorites/Bookmarks and any data files will need to be saved to floppy or CDR/RW. If you installed SP1 and/or any windows updates these will need reinstalling as will any other system/driver updates. Check any documentation privided (if any?) for invoking the recovery CD, but I would think you would boot from this disk, so may need to temporarily change the boot order in the BIOS setup.

 

Hi KRZ,

You could ask the OEM.

I run a Dell and the disc they label "recovery" is the FULL OS. The only OEM that I know about that this isn't true of is Compaq/HP which puts a "hidden" partition on the HD.

Regards - Charles

PS: System Restore didn't work?

 

Also Acer as the disk supplied by them is basically a ghost image, in fact norton ghost runs during the install. Which means for me no repair etc. etc.