Want to completely restore my windows xp

I've seen other posts and etc, but I havent managed to find one for what I have in mind.

I have an old pc running windows xp

Its my "family" computer and therefore neglected and abused

Id like to Completely wipe it out..

get another xp disk and uninstall everything

not system restore or any other programs

something with cmd or something.

 

That requires nothing more than popping your installation disk in the drive, booting to it and following the prompts. Allow it to format the drive and everything on there now will be history.

 

oh that's it? I'm pretty sure I have the installation disk but hypothetically what if I can't find it?

 

If you have the XP serial number, usually located on the outside of the case, you can borrow any XP CD, provided it is the same flavor (Home, Pro) and use it to install a fresh copy.

 

Well - maybe not quite. Do you have the drivers disk for your computer? If not, after installing Windows you will need to download them from the manufacturer's website. Then there's SP2, SP3, post-SP3 updates, and your software licences of course.

So don't just rush into it - do a bit of planning and predownloading first.

 

well I have another xp disk I believe...but it's from a different computer

 

As plodr said, you can use any XP disk of the same XP version as long as you have a legitimate product key, but it has to be a retail installation disk, not an OEM version. OEM versions are for use on a specific machine and cannot legally be used on a different machine.

 

see I'm not sure if I have the key for the computer I want to fix...what should I do if cannot access a key?

 

XP has to be activated, for which you need a valid key. There isn't a legal way around that.

 

can I buy a copy of xp? I mean cause this computer can't handle vista or 7 really either.

so if I have a disk for xp, never opened, I ant use it to reinstall it on a different computer?

is there another option then?
this computer is bogged down with so many programs and spyware and viruses and malware...theres got to be something I can do to just bomb it out and start anew.

 

Here is a link to Amazon to buy XP. As far as I know there is no other place to get it unless you can borrow a copy from a friend and use the key on the outside of your machine as PLODR has already explained.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Windows+xp&x=0&y=0
Pro is going to run $300 or so and up . I would never pay such a price for software that seemingly will not be supported at all in the near future. You might be able to bargain. Home edition is fine, IMO. It looks like you can get it for about $100 or so.

 

If the machine is still booting/running, run Belarc on it first and this will show you the XP key.

http://majorgeeks.com/Belarc_Advisor_d1385.html

 

I agree with brandypeppy's advice to save a copy of your key.

I would definitely get the key from Belarc Advisor or MagicJellyBean and write it down before considering clearing out your current XP installation.

 

SIW is also very good.

 

so if i can find out my current xp key with that program, I can use a different disc and restore it?

i mean Id have to write it down obviously

 

This may not be a viable option but I'll mention it just in case. You could install a Linux OS on it. Ubuntu is a popular Linux OS.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...+home+edition+cd&displaylang=en&stype=s_basic

you can download a bootable iso file from micro$H*t downloads page for free.

 

This will grab the key you are currently using this:
http://majorgeeks.com/Magical_Jelly_Bean_Keyfinder_d2612.html

You can use a Microsoft OEM disc to install also.

 

This link does NOT contain the operating system, which is what the OP wanted

 

The download links on that site are not a full OS; they are service packs, etc.

 

SORRY!!! i didn't realise it was only a disc image of the sp3 update!!!
My Appologies.:-o

 

Belarc Advisor is good But it takes a L*O*N*G time to collect all of the info for
its report (current ver. 8.1.16.4) AND it is in HTML format so it then has to
load your default browser to show you the report.

I just checked Speccy and
it shows the Windows version, Installation Date and Serial Number under
the Operating System heading.

Speccy is from Piriform, the publishers of the well loved CCleaner, has a
similar appearance and it runs Much more quickly than Belarc, although it
does not provide all the software and updates info that Belarc does.

 

another thing to keep in mind is that if this is a dell, hp, or some other oem the key that keyfinders find will not activate. the big oems have volume licenses that are pre-activated, but will not activate through the normal methods.

if you have the restore cd, it would be better to just use that and then uninstall what ever you don't want.

 

hey, sorry I havent been on in a while.

I need this DELL 4550, yeah its hella old, but its not completely shot yet.

I need it to run xp.

Ill try that speecy link.