windows xp

I am trying to restore a friends computer that is really tweaked. It appears the only thing to do is reinstall windows xp professional and hope it will fix most of the issues the computer is having.

Problem is, there isnt a windows xp disk i can use to do this.

Is there any way I can do it without the disk? It is a valid product key and the system restore doesnt go back far enough to clear any of the problems. Please help if anyone can.

Muurvers

 

If you can borrow a friends xp disc, which must be sp1, or, sp2, as the original disc, you can insert the disc, and press start, run, and type in sfc /scannow, and it will fix Windows protected files. You have to sit with finger on the mouse button and keep clicking, retry, and it can take up to an hour to complete.
Or, as a long shot try downloading, 'Windows live care safety scanner, from Windows just might find registry faults, and repair them.
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm

 

The only time you have to click till you have carpal tunnel is if SFC is broken in the registry, which is incredibly common. Its relatively easy to fix, but an issue that won't really help us here.

If its a registry problem, neither SFC, nor a repair/reinstall of Windows will fix it. Only a clean installation would restore defaults. I have my reservations of any registry fix-it program, but you are welcome to try them.

Maybe you can tell us specifically what is going on?

 

Under normal circumstances, I could not agree more, Adrynalyne.
I try to tell people not to use them , unless they know sufficient to use them carefully, but as they do not have a Windows disk, Microsofts own repair tool, is about all I feel might help. Have you any other ideas for this problem?

 

Not without hearing the specific symptom, which Im hoping the poster will supply