format and reinstall help please

I have been advised by Kestrel to reinstall my OS as have ramnit infection.

Just wondering if its as easy as placing cd in drive and installing, or if there is a little more to wiping everything and having a fresh install of win xp?

Also, i have the cd but no key for the tower, but i have the key from the laptop - can i use the laptop key on the pc?

many thanks

 

ok, cheers, where can i find the key? is it writen somewhere on the computer? i only have the disc, but its in a black cd envelope without a code

 

Try looking on the case for a Windows XP label that has a bar code on it. you will see a series of characters, which is the product key.

 

If you can still boot download and run Magical Jelly Bean key finder to get your XP key.

http://majorgeeks.com/Magical_Jelly_Bean_Keyfinder_d2612.html

Might be a good idea to also get your HDD volume ID as it changes with a format. Do not change it, just copy down the ID. After format and install, you can change it back to the original volume ID if you need to.

http://www.xboxharddrive.com/freeware.html

I would also get a copy of WPA.dll off of your computer just in case you need a copy of that also. Make sure it is not infected though.