Reformat

[Copperhead]

I just tried to "repair" my version of windows XP and i just realised that the CDs that came with my PC were not the actual installation CDs but these piece of shit company specific CDs that fuck you over when you try to reinstall windows. Now i just get 'starting windows setup' and some bullshit about missing files.

I could have done this without problems but noooo i had to get fucked over. Thankfully i have this old faithful computer that can keep me busy with some old games. Does anyone know how i can input the format command through BIOS or get into DOS or whatever the fuck they use nowadays? I have no clue what to do and id rather have my computer back empty and virus free. Its a year old so no floppy drive, just the CD drive which didnt want to read the shitty CDs.

Should be simple enough for you techs to clue me in... ive been out of the PC loop for ages.

[hsimah]

There are many ways to do this.

My fave, is to download a linux LiveCD, such as Ubuntu, boot from that and then just wipe all the hard drives.

You could, alternatively, boot into the recovery console from an XP CD. Any decent one should have this option, even if it is OEM. You could even use a pirated one if your OEM Windows CD doesn't help - I don't know if this is legal, because you aren't using Windows, just a tool that comes with it which may not be on your copy because of some arsehole company.

Do you have a Windows XP install CD + serial (OEM or otherwise)?

[Copperhead]

I do have an older version of XP and my OEM discs but i cant get it to boot from any kind of recovery screen because it goes straight to the loading bar screen then a blue installation screen and then it asks me to insert the CDs, but it refuses to read them.

I figured i would need a program burnt on disc to allow me to access a screen to wipe my drive clean and install windows again.... if the OEM garbage can work.

[Copperhead]

Ok, the reformat worked but now i realised i dont have the CD that goes with the Motherboard. I had onboard sound and ethernet card which worked fine for me but now i have to solve this >=( I cant even see what kind of motherboard i have. Ugh... ill do it some other day.

[hsimah]

Yeah, formatting can be a bitch

[Copperhead]

Everything is fixed, thanks for the Ubuntu tip as i was ready to bring my PC into the shop

Nothing like a format to clean up the demons.

[hsimah]

Thats ok. There are Windows equivalents, but nothing I have found is more straightforward than Ubuntu for installing etc

[Copperhead]

I would use Linux but im not sure how many things it will support. I dont play many games nowadays however so id be happy to check out what Linux can offer.

Im tired of this product activation bullshit with windows. You own a copy but you cant install it on more than one of YOUR OWN computers... total bullshit. I can see why alternative options are becoming popular.