Hello I am new to the site just logged in today! My question is I have a p4 Hp a450n if I reinstall windows xp does that reformat the hard drive like clear it all? Also do I have to buy new retail windows I do not have the cd but I have a cd key sticker thing on my computer. My computer is 3 years old and I am tired of paying geek squad... It has slowed down a lot so will this help it out? Sorry about the noobish questions... Thanks in advance!
You can install Windows without formatting the drive, but I find that method to be dirty and troublesome. Do you have a USB thumb drive or hard drive that you could copy your data to? At the very least you should delete the Windows and Program Files directories before you begin, which can't be done without a boot CD of some kind. As for reinstalling without a disc, you should have gotten a restore CD from HP that will do the trick. If not you'll need to buy another copy or procure one on the internet. Will the number on the side of your PC work? I dunno.
i think the way OEM stickers work is you isntall windows xp, you activate by phone and give them the number on the sticker. but i think hp should be able to provide a cd or some way to just install windows so its worth a shot calling them first.
Backup your important information and format the drive(wipe, clear, totally erase everything). Keeping old software installations around could cause file conflicts and more headaches. You will have to acquire an XP CD though, either from HP or scourge the internet for an ISO. You will probably have to activate it with MS over the phone with your key that is on the sticker. I've never activated windows before though, so I'm not exactly sure how that works. If you're only problem is slowness. Before you go an re-install windows, try running a virus scanner, spyware scanner, defragment your hard drive, and lastly, read Dan's Windows XP tweak guide. http://www.tweak3d.net/joomla/tweak-guides/windows-xp/15-minute-xp-tune-up EDIT: If that is the case, PM me dude. I hate money hungry, bend me over, computer manufactures that will not help out a customer with something such as a CD ISO when you already have a legit key.
Wow so much help around here! THANKS! I have all that on my computer spyware scanner, i have defragmented it couple of times, norton Anti-v, and have read the tweak xp guide. Funny thing is I'm in Iraq and used that tweak guide for the computer here haha... It's a bit faster now. We'll i'll prolly be home in a week or so, so i'll prolly ask a few more questions when I get back to work on my P4. I'm going to take all the advice and give it a shot. thanks again!
It's an OEM key, so I assume it has already been activated once. MS does this kind of activation online now?
Well, have a safe trip back. Worst case scenario you can locate a "trial" version online. Bittorrent FTW!!!
