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So should i reformat my computer orrrrr

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Irotate360
Posts: 6836 - Karma: 22
Didn't know what forum to put this in so I just picked NSG...

Anyway, my rents just bought a new PC so i'm going to take the old one so i can use it to edit and other things. I obviously wanna get the optimum power out of it but will not be able to get that given its current condition. Its from '02 but has had some upgrades (currently 2gigs of ram) so it's not a total POS. I wanna reformat and just start fresh but don't have the windows XP disk and really don't wanna spend any money. What should i do to get rid of all the shit on it? Can i just steal XP haha... i really wanna start fresh on the thing...
Jul 19 2009 5:37PM
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Josh_B
Posts: 255 - Karma: 34
Restart it, and when you boot up look at the bottom. It should say press some key for the start up options or something like that. But you can go in and restore your computer from there I'm pretty sure. But i haven't used windows in a while so im not 100% positive.
Jul 19 2009 9:30PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
Some computers can reinstall windows without the CD, others cant. Usually it is an optioned initiated upon startup. The best way to restore a comp to optimum condition is through a reformat.
Jul 19 2009 9:35PM
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B.Fantana
Posts: 487 - Karma: 86
i reformatted my laptop and put windows 7 on it for free and it works great.
Jul 19 2009 9:37PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
Windows 7 wont run too well on his comp, if at all. Stick with XP!
Jul 19 2009 9:39PM
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B.Fantana
Posts: 487 - Karma: 86
my laptop is from 01 and its only got about 30gb of hard drive and it runs better than xp did.
Jul 19 2009 9:43PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
really? Your XP must have been fucked. Ive tried vista and 7, and im still back to XP.
Jul 19 2009 9:47PM
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BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 79
You can download the untouched .iso for windows XP, legally, from bittorrent and then follow this:

http://www.liewcf.com/blog/archives/2005/02/backup-and-restore-windows-xp-activation/

to backup your CD key and activation information. Install a fresh XP and then restore your activation information. That way even if you don't know your CD key you can keep your legit activation.

You can also borrow an XP CD from a friend if they have the retail version and use that.

This isn't illegal because when you buy a Windows operating system you're actually just buying the CD key and the activation, or the right to use the software, not the information on the CD itself.
Jul 19 2009 9:52PM
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B.Fantana
Posts: 487 - Karma: 86
ya i think it was. Also i dont think my laptop was ever reformatted since it was purchased and it just had a hole bunch of shit on it. However im still quite happy with windows 7.
Jul 19 2009 9:54PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
this man is right
Jul 19 2009 9:57PM
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