[igottogonow]

I have a computer that I have lost the start-up and operating disk.
I have the product key on the bottom of the computer, how can I get a set of disk so I can reload Windows XP. A virus took my program and made it useless. I also cannot get on line with it.

[rodzillaj3]

Depending on who you bought the computer from, did you receive a windows disc or did it just come preloaded? If it came preloaded, the computer's hard drive may have a partition setup that contains the Windows setup. When your computer starts up, hit F8 for system recovery. It is possible, depending on manufacturer, to load that partition from system recovery.

[igottogonow]

Depending on who you bought the computer from, did you receive a windows disc or did it just come preloaded? If it came preloaded, the computer's hard drive may have a partition setup that contains the Windows setup. When your computer starts up, hit F8 for system recovery. It is possible, depending on manufacturer, to load that partition from system recovery.

It came preloaded

[rodzillaj3]

Try accessing it through system recover, F8, during startup. Each manufacturer has different ways to run the recovery partition. For example, Lenovo sometimes has a button you push instead of the power button to run it while the computer is off.

[NeedKarma]

In these cases you can borrow an XP disk from another person or even torrent one. Since you have a valid Windows key it's not a gray area.

[rodzillaj3]

In these cases you can borrow an XP disk from another person or even torrent one. Since you have a valid Windows key it's not a gray area.

That would load windows but you may have an issue with the drivers not working. I've seen a couple times were Windows gets installed but the drivers that are needed and imbedded in the recovery drive don't get installed. Happened to me once. I got Windows reinstalled but couldn't get on HP's website to download drivers, both wireless and wired, due to no driver so I basically had nothing.

[NeedKarma]

That's right, you always need to track down the current drivers for your system after a reload of the OS.
Always good to have a second system (laptop on wireless for example) to get the drivers and transfer them to USB for loading on the new system.

[Appzalien]

Actually you should get drivers for the model of your PC BEFORE you reinstall from a disk. Especially networking drivers so you can access the internet after the reinstall. If you have a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive, it will have the original drivers that came with the PC when you bought it but you can also get updated drivers from the manufacturer after the recovery to factory installation. You will lose all your data and end up just as it came new. Usually there will be a short screen at start up that shows options for entering setup, bios (typically the DEL key), and recovery and what keys to press. You can also get help in how to recover from the manufacturers website through their faq's knowledge base or even tech help e-mail. Since your posting here, you have access to the net somehow, so you might want to first try downloading a boot recovery iso (many are free like UBCD) and see if you can't clear the virus with that (boot to cd first must be set in the bios). If you can at least get access to the drive you can save some of your data before you reinstall. Its unlikely that you can repair the drive and remove the virus completely without expert help. Viruses tend to replace system files to prevent removal, and once removed there goes that system file and things can get wonky. Most XP disks have a second repair option that will replace all your system files from the ones on the disk, leaving your data intact, but it doesn't remove viruses unless they're mimicking system files. When you boot from an XP Home CD it shows a repair option but that one will actually reinstall and you lose your data. But if you continue as if your going to reinstall, a second option will show up around the F8 accept license screen, that's the non-destructive repair. If it doesn't show up you can always hit F3 to quit. Google "the Langa letters" for more info on non-destructive repair.

[igottogonow]

Actually you should get drivers for the model of your PC BEFORE you reinstall from a disk. Especially networking drivers so you can access the internet after the reinstall. If you have a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive, it will have the original drivers that came with the PC when you bought it but you can also get updated drivers from the manufacturer after the recovery to factory installation. You will lose all your data and end up just as it came new. Usually there will be a short screen at start up that shows options for entering setup, bios (typically the DEL key), and recovery and what keys to press. You can also get help in how to recover from the manufacturers website through their faq's knowledge base or even tech help e-mail. Since your posting here, you have access to the net somehow, so you might want to first try downloading a boot recovery iso (many are free like UBCD) and see if you can't clear the virus with that (boot to cd first must be set in the bios). If you can at least get access to the drive you can save some of your data before you reinstall. Its unlikely that you can repair the drive and remove the virus completely without expert help. Viruses tend to replace system files to prevent removal, and once removed there goes that system file and things can get wonky. Most XP disks have a second repair option that will replace all your system files from the ones on the disk, leaving your data intact, but it doesn't remove viruses unless they're mimicking system files. When you boot from an XP Home CD it shows a repair option but that one will actually reinstall and you lose your data. But if you continue as if your going to reinstall, a second option will show up around the F8 accept license screen, that's the non-destructive repair. If it doesn't show up you can always hit F3 to quit. Google "the Langa letters" for more info on non-destructive repair.

Hi, I ask and received the disk from Dell and I was very pleased BUT when I downloaded the disc It came up with a "GUEST PASSword required". I've never had a guest password so what the heck is this problem about??
I do want to think everyone that is trying to help me but I must be so computer stupid nothing helps.

[rodzillaj3]

Hi, I ask and received the disk from Dell and I was very pleased BUT when I downloaded the disc It came up with a "GUEST PASSword required". I've never had a guest password so what the heck is this problem about????
I do want to think everyone that is trying to help me but I must be so computer stupid nothing helps.

The disc is asking for a password?

[igottogonow]

The disc is asking for a password?

Yes it's asking for a guest password.

[letmethink]

Check this
Dell Latitude Password Reset or Dell Latitude Laptop PC Administrator Password Recovery for Windows XP/7/Vista/2000,etc.
Dell Laptop Password Reset for Lost Windows Password on Dell Computer Login Screen.
Hope this helps.

[igottogonow]

The disc is asking for a password?

Yes I couldn't believe it when it said "what is the guest password". So here I am.

[igottogonow]

The disc is asking for a password?

YES, It's asking for a guest password.