NationStates Jolt Archive

This is a question for anyone here with a little more techno savvy than I.

I got this DELL Dimension 8300 System a bit ago and I don't have the Windows XP Pro CD that came installed on the system. I'm thinking either I didn't get it when I got my system (which apparently isn't too uncommon, I hear) or I misplaced it when moving into my apartment from the dorms.

Problem is, the time has come for me to reformat this baby. Both 80gig HD's are damn near to the brim with crap, and at this point, it simply would just be easier to start this computer from a fresh start and just reinstall the games I play, software I use, and burn my important docs to a CD instead of keeping all of the important stuff - along with the gigs of crap. Since I don't have that Windows XP Pro CD, is there was a way I could do this reformatting/reinstall of Windows?

Most importantly, I'm broke, so just buying a new copy of Windows XP Pro is out of the question - not to mention, I already bought it once when I got this system, so I really shouldn't have to do it again (unless losing the CD in the first place means I'm screwed either way...). Let me know if any of you guys have any ideas on how I should do this whole reformatting business. :)

Heh...this depends.....

How do you feel about DOS?

At any rate...I think you could probably format your secondary drive with windows, just by clicking on it, and selecting "format".

Other than that..your gonna need that disk, or one like it.

You may have not gotten a disc, could be a partitioned hardrive with your system format info on the small partitioned portion. You reboot in recovery/reformat mode and go from there, no disc needed.

If you have all the manuals that came with your computer, you should have the key code for Windows on the front of the manual. All you need then is to download a copy of Windows, burn it to disc (in .iso format), put it in the drive, and go from there.

There are a number of illegal and legal sites to which you can visit to download versions of windows - whether you obtain the software from a legal site or not, you've paid for it (by buying the Dell) and have a right to the software - ph33r not the FBI...

BTW...check your discs again. Look for a "system" or "system recovery" disc or somethin along those lines... Should have Windows on it...

You may have not gotten a disc, could be a partitioned hardrive with your system format info on the small partitioned portion. You reboot in recovery/reformat mode and go from there, no disc needed.

I hear alot about this Partition goodness... What exactly is all that? How can I reboot in that manner?

Wow... For being someone who spends their life on the comp both online or modelling in 3D... or working graphic design... I sure know little about the actual inner workings of this machine that dominates my life.

I'll have to check back on this thread in the morning for new replies.. it's getting a bit late and I'm just way too tired. Beeeeedtime. But only after a few minutes of either Daggerfall or Rome:Total War. Hoowah. :p

If you have all the manuals that came with your computer, you should have the key code for Windows on the front of the manual. All you need then is to download a copy of Windows, burn it to disc (in .iso format), put it in the drive, and go from there.

There are a number of illegal and legal sites to which you can visit to download versions of windows - whether you obtain the software from a legal site or not, you've paid for it (by buying the Dell) and have a right to the software - ph33r not the FBI...

BTW...check your discs again. Look for a "system" or "system recovery" disc or somethin along those lines... Should have Windows on it...

Heh.. Those manuals ended up the same way as that CD. Either misplaced, or abducted by aliens.

Being the horrible human being that I am, I know more than one of these sites from where to obtain copies of Windows XP - but this was something I really wanted to go through in a legit manner, considering the importance of the overall software. Yarrr, remember kids! Piracy is bad! :D

Heh.. Those manuals ended up the same way as that CD. Either misplaced, or abducted by aliens.

Being the horrible human being that I am, I know more than one of these sites from where to obtain copies of Windows XP - but this was something I really wanted to go through in a legit manner, considering the importance of the overall software. Yarrr, remember kids! Piracy is bad! :D


Ahhh, problem though is that you dont have your CD code...which means you'll need to find it, or buy another copy of Windows.

Go with the less legit mannor, if Microsoft didn't scrw us over so much with their prices you'd never be in this bind.

[/rant]

I hear alot about this Partition goodness... What exactly is all that? How can I reboot in that manner?

Wow... For being someone who spends their life on the comp both online or modelling in 3D... or working graphic design... I sure know little about the actual inner workings of this machine that dominates my life.

I'll have to check back on this thread in the morning for new replies.. it's getting a bit late and I'm just way too tired. Beeeeedtime. But only after a few minutes of either Daggerfall or Rome:Total War. Hoowah. :pIf you can't find your manuals just use 'help', your manual is there in your computer...You usually access it by hitting one of the function keys while booting, depends on the manufacturer.

Go with the less legit mannor, if Microsoft didn't scrw us over so much with their prices you'd never be in this bind.

[/rant]


Shhh, not allowed to promote illegal activities...

While I do agree that it's ridiculous to pay as much for windows as is required...it's nearly impossible to not have windows anymore.

Linux or FreeBSD are both excellent OS's, however, I'd like to see someone do some serious graphics work or gaming on either of those OS's as they're not supported...

If you can't find your manuals just use 'help', your manual is there in your computer...You usually access it by hitting one of the function keys while booting, depends on the manufacturer.


ROFL...He needs the physical manual because it will have the sticker with the Windows key code on it...the built-in help manual not only is horrific, but does not contain the code.

ROFL...He needs the physical manual because it will have the sticker with the Windows key code on it...the built-in help manual not only is horrific, but does not contain the code. :rolleyes: You don't need the code.. windows is already loaded in the partitioned portion, you're just doing a system restore. I sets up your PC so it'll be just as he got it fresh from the store.

Most new Dells are shipped without the Windows XP media. You can get it sent out to you by contacting Dell support. The CD key is attached to the recovery disk that will have been shipped with the computer...

Used to be (back when it was MS-DOS) you just reformated the slave drive without the OS on it, copied all the OS files onto the newly reformated drive and either used BIOS or a cable switch to change the master and slave drives, then reformat the new slave drive. Don't think it works with XP Pro though, I suspect it doesn't keep all it's files in the folder labeled "windows" ( never used XP Pro wnough to be sure, but since WIN98 Microsoft has been leaving OS files all over the place), and it plays hobb with the registry.

If you use "my computer" and right click on the hard drive it should bring up a pull down menu about the hard drive, under properties it should tell you if there are partitions on the hard drive.

On the same pull down menu there should be an option to create a windows start-up disc, maybe under format drive. If you start up your computer with a reformated drive as master and windows on your slave drive and a start-up disc, you should be able to reinstall windows using the slave drive as your install disc onto the newly reformated master. This will prolly make hash of your registry, but should work as a decent reinstall of windows. No guarentees though, this technique used to work, but Microsoft has been "simplifying" Windows ( making it so easy to use that you cannot do anything). If it fails, you just have to move the master and slave back, you'll have one reformated drive (slave) and a registry filled with junk and problems with any program on the master drive which had files on the slave drive (shouldn't be any, but you never know).

Most new Dells are shipped without the Windows XP media. You can get it sent out to you by contacting Dell support. The CD key is attached to the recovery disk that will have been shipped with the computer...

Surprisingly enough, if you use the recovery disk, it probably has a windows xp install on it...at least, they used to. I havent worked on a Dell in quite a while...

You may have not gotten a disc, could be a partitioned hardrive with your system format info on the small partitioned portion. You reboot in recovery/reformat mode and go from there, no disc needed.
The reinstall will be partitioned off on a "recovery" drive, because apparently releasing the Windows XP cd with the system would cost them an extra 20 cents. However, it will also reinstall all the useless crap that came with the system. If you have nearly 160gigs full what is it of and why would a reinstall work? Why don't you go around removing stuff you don't need and clearing out the temp folders.

I think you can ask Dell for a CD. Perhaps there are other forums more tech inclined that can help you better.

The reinstall will be partitioned off on a "recovery" drive, because apparently releasing the Windows XP cd with the system would cost them an extra 20 cents. However, it will also reinstall all the useless crap that came with the system. If you have nearly 160gigs full what is it of and why would a reinstall work? Why don't you go around removing stuff you don't need and clearing out the temp folders.

One drive is full of the remnants of old, uninstalled software, forgotten downloaded software installers, etc. I tried going through the folders, and after a good hour of exploring/deleting, I managed to free up about 10 gigs.

The other Drive is full of media. Music, Movies, Shows, the usual (tee hee.). The second drive isn't as much of a concern as all I need to do is go through it and delete stuff I don't care much for anymore.

The thing is, I'm not entirely sure where all the harddrive space has gone on the main drive, and considering how I really only use about four or five main programs, along with the miscellaneous software that runson the side, I would just rather start with a clean slate (ie. The programs I currently use. Period. No more stuff that I'm not even sure where it all is)

It would also work if I found some sort of "The EASY way to clean out your harddrive" guide, as opposed to just mucking around endlessly erasing crap, only to realize you've only cleared 10 gigs...

I'm just lazy, and reformatting seems like the Easier solution. :/

One drive is full of the remnants of old, uninstalled software, forgotten downloaded software installers, etc. I tried going through the folders, and after a good hour of exploring/deleting, I managed to free up about 10 gigs.

The other Drive is full of media. Music, Movies, Shows, the usual (tee hee.). The second drive isn't as much of a concern as all I need to do is go through it and delete stuff I don't care much for anymore.

The thing is, I'm not entirely sure where all the harddrive space has gone on the main drive, and considering how I really only use about four or five main programs, along with the miscellaneous software that runson the side, I would just rather start with a clean slate (ie. The programs I currently use. Period. No more stuff that I'm not even sure where it all is)

It would also work if I found some sort of "The EASY way to clean out your harddrive" guide, as opposed to just mucking around endlessly erasing crap, only to realize you've only cleared 10 gigs...

I'm just lazy, and reformatting seems like the Easier solution. :/

You can find utilities that will clean your system of any junk...System Mechanic Pro will do so, and you can set the criteria for what it searches (including the ability to exclude folders / files, time a file has been inactive, etc.)

Go with the less legit mannor, if Microsoft didn't scrw us over so much with their prices you'd never be in this bind.

[/rant]

dont do this!! I just had to do a windows repair (2nd time) and you will need to validate your copy of windows to get your updates to thing like media player 10 etc. so if you get an illegal copy it wont be validated. Try contacting dell and see if they can help you. Use the chat support.

dont do this!! I just had to do a windows repair (2nd time) and you will need to validate your copy of windows to get your updates to thing like media player 10 etc. so if you get an illegal copy it wont be validated. Try contacting dell and see if they can help you. Use the chat support.

...UNLESS...as I've been trying to say...you find the disk or manual or whatthefuckever it is that has the key code on it - then the install can be validated by Microsoft...

It's so amazingly simple it's hard, isnt it?

...UNLESS...as I've been trying to say...you find the disk or manual or whatthefuckever it is that has the key code on it - then the install can be validated by Microsoft...

It's so amazingly simple it's hard, isnt it?


wait a sec.....

Ive got a couple of programs taht can give youre windows cd key without having to look for it.

I do seem to recall that you can look it up on your system, or was that win98?

wait a sec.....

Ive got a couple of programs taht can give youre windows cd key without having to look for it.

I do seem to recall that you can look it up on your system, or was that win98?

Not on XP (that I know of) can this be done. It's possible for him to call Microsoft and get a CD key, but I'm not sure what's required to prove that you've purchased it before - possibly the invoice from Dell...

Not on XP (that I know of) can this be done.

Yes it can. I used one to extract my CD-key after losing the case it was printed on, but I don't remember where I found the program. Google helps. Of course, I have no way of knowing if the code I got actually is the real deal... :)

I think I'm pretty screwed though. I've managed to completely lose both the case and the XP CD, and I think they went missing when I moved, which makes it pretty likely that I won't be seeing them again. All I got now is an authentic, activated copy installed on my hard drive, the aforementioned CD-key and a couple of quick start guides, but not the software itself or any way of proving that I actually bought it. I'm fine now, but the next time I need to reinstall the OS or upgrade my hardware...

Yes it can. I used one to extract my CD-key after losing the case it was printed on, but I don't remember where I found the program. Google helps. Of course, I have no way of knowing if the code I got actually is the real deal... :)

I think I'm pretty screwed though. I've managed to completely lose both the case and the XP CD, and I think they went missing when I moved, which makes it pretty likely that I won't be seeing them again. All I got now is an authentic, activated copy installed on my hard drive, the aforementioned CD-key and a couple of quick start guides, but not the software itself or any way of proving that I actually bought it. I'm fine now, but the next time I need to reinstall the OS or upgrade my hardware...

If you've registered with Microsoft, you should be able to call their tech support and get a new CD-key.

I hate those Dell and similar PCs. You need special drivers not normally shipped with a normal Windows XP CD.

There's a program out there that'll sniff out my original XP CD key, eh?

Must have a looksee. Then I'll Ahoy Matey the copy of XP while using the CD Key on my computer... It's brilliant! *Aaahahahaha! Aaaaaaahahaha!* (Mad scientist routine. For some reason...)

Also, do those tools such as Windows Mechanic Pro work fairly well, or is there a chance I'm shooting myself in the testicles if things go wrong?

...UNLESS...as I've been trying to say...you find the disk or manual or whatthefuckever it is that has the key code on it - then the install can be validated by Microsoft...

It's so amazingly simple it's hard, isnt it?

I was talking about going the illegal route...that is never a good idea. Of course if you can get the key that is fine but you were talking an illegal route.

Dude, it's incredibly easy;

When you turn on your computer at some time while everythings loading a blue bar will flash across your screen. Press whatever button it is at that time (one of the function ones, or maybe just enter- I can't remember) and then it it will ask you to reformat everything on your computer.

Hey presto done. If you need more instructions jsut find someone else with a dell manual, it's in there somewhere.

I did it myself a few weeks ago :)

I was talking about going the illegal route...that is never a good idea. Of course if you can get the key that is fine but you were talking an illegal route.

No, I was talking about downloading an illegal copy of Windows XP and then using his LEGAL key to register it. Which means it's actually not illegal because he's purchased rights to XP...