Format and reinstall Windows XP

I have a hacker or something really bad wrong with my other computer. It
seems the only thing to do is to format the hard drive and reinstall XP. The
problem is that, although I bought the computer with Windows XP
pre-installed, I did not receive a disc. I have a disc for this computer,
but I would like to be able to update, and I understand that I won't be able
to update if I install the WinXP from this computer on the other one. I can
surf the net. but that's all I can do on the other computer. Any time I try
to download anything to try and fix the computer I can't open anything. Am I
going to have to buy a new XP Program? Is there a way to show somebody that
I own the XP that doesn't work, and get a disc to install it?

"watcherduck" wrote in message
...
I have a hacker or something really bad wrong with my other computer. It
seems the only thing to do is to format the hard drive and reinstall XP.
The
problem is that, although I bought the computer with Windows XP
pre-installed, I did not receive a disc. I have a disc for this computer,
but I would like to be able to update, and I understand that I won't be
able
to update if I install the WinXP from this computer on the other one. I
can
surf the net. but that's all I can do on the other computer. Any time I
try
to download anything to try and fix the computer I can't open anything.
Am I
going to have to buy a new XP Program? Is there a way to show somebody
that
I own the XP that doesn't work, and get a disc to install it?

Have you tried running anti-virus and spyware programs to get rid of
whatever problem(s) you have? Installed a firewall which should stop a
hacker- and why do you think it is a hacker?
If you didn't receive a disk talk to the unnamed makers- ask them how to
reinstall- some makers store recovery items on your hard disk but they
should have instructions for you. It may be in one of the booklets you got
but haven't read.

watcherduck wrote:
I have a hacker or something really bad wrong with my other computer. It
seems the only thing to do is to format the hard drive and reinstall XP. The
problem is that, although I bought the computer with Windows XP
pre-installed, I did not receive a disc. I have a disc for this computer,
but I would like to be able to update, and I understand that I won't be able
to update if I install the WinXP from this computer on the other one. I can
surf the net. but that's all I can do on the other computer. Any time I try
to download anything to try and fix the computer I can't open anything. Am I
going to have to buy a new XP Program? Is there a way to show somebody that
I own the XP that doesn't work, and get a disc to install it?
If your computer is under warranty or it's new the manufactoror should
be able to provide a new disk or if the winXP files were installed on
the computer,customer service should show you how to re install.

You could use the Magic Jellybean Key Finder from
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
and use that to find the product key on your other computer.

If the version of XP you have on the faulty machine is the same as your
CD (eg if both are OEM XP Home or Pro or both are retail versions of
XP) then you could use that key to install XP to the faulty computer.

If the versions are different or they are proprietry (eg Dell, HP,
Compaq) then you will need to purchase a new license or go back to the
supplier and get the proper CD.

"watcherduck" wrote in message
...
I have a hacker or something really bad wrong with my other computer. It
seems the only thing to do is to format the hard drive and reinstall XP.
The
problem is that, although I bought the computer with Windows XP
pre-installed, I did not receive a disc. I have a disc for this computer,
but I would like to be able to update, and I understand that I won't be
able
to update if I install the WinXP from this computer on the other one. I
can
surf the net. but that's all I can do on the other computer. Any time I
try
to download anything to try and fix the computer I can't open anything.
Am I
going to have to buy a new XP Program? Is there a way to show somebody
that
I own the XP that doesn't work, and get a disc to install it?

You can purchase a media kit (replacement CD and key) directly from MS
(although morally you shouldn't have to, the OEM should've provided one). It
should cost only a fraction of the price of the retail product, plus will
have SP2 on it.

grol

No matter what I try to do, I get an error message:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe Application cannot be found. I would like
to run stinger, spybot, adaware and a host of other programs to clean it, but
nothing at all will open. Formatting seems like the easiest thing to do,
except for the fact I don't have the XP disc.

"Alan Smith" wrote:


"watcherduck" wrote in message
...
I have a hacker or something really bad wrong with my other computer. It
seems the only thing to do is to format the hard drive and reinstall XP.
The
problem is that, although I bought the computer with Windows XP
pre-installed, I did not receive a disc. I have a disc for this computer,
but I would like to be able to update, and I understand that I won't be
able
to update if I install the WinXP from this computer on the other one. I
can
surf the net. but that's all I can do on the other computer. Any time I
try
to download anything to try and fix the computer I can't open anything.
Am I
going to have to buy a new XP Program? Is there a way to show somebody
that
I own the XP that doesn't work, and get a disc to install it?

Have you tried running anti-virus and spyware programs to get rid of
whatever problem(s) you have? Installed a firewall which should stop a
hacker- and why do you think it is a hacker?
If you didn't receive a disk talk to the unnamed makers- ask them how to
reinstall- some makers store recovery items on your hard disk but they
should have instructions for you. It may be in one of the booklets you got
but haven't read.

Thank you , everybody. That's some good ideas and info. At least it won't
happen again.

"watcherduck" wrote:

I have a hacker or something really bad wrong with my other computer. It
seems the only thing to do is to format the hard drive and reinstall XP. The
problem is that, although I bought the computer with Windows XP
pre-installed, I did not receive a disc. I have a disc for this computer,
but I would like to be able to update, and I understand that I won't be able
to update if I install the WinXP from this computer on the other one. I can
surf the net. but that's all I can do on the other computer. Any time I try
to download anything to try and fix the computer I can't open anything. Am I
going to have to buy a new XP Program? Is there a way to show somebody that
I own the XP that doesn't work, and get a disc to install it?

watcherduck wrote:

I have a hacker or something really bad wrong with my other computer. It
seems the only thing to do is to format the hard drive and reinstall XP. The
problem is that, although I bought the computer with Windows XP
pre-installed, I did not receive a disc. I have a disc for this computer,
but I would like to be able to update, and I understand that I won't be able
to update if I install the WinXP from this computer on the other one. I can
surf the net. but that's all I can do on the other computer. Any time I try
to download anything to try and fix the computer I can't open anything. Am I
going to have to buy a new XP Program? Is there a way to show somebody that
I own the XP that doesn't work, and get a disc to install it?

The computer manufacturer was required to provide you with some means of
restoring the system. They have three choices:

1. Windows installation CD
2. Recovery CD (usually has an image of the drive as you received the
computer)
3. A hidden partition on the hard drive that has an image of the drive.

Check the documentation for the computer or contact the vendor's tech
support for how to restore the system.

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User