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Reinstalling XP

There are a number of ways to do this depending on who built the PC.

Home-built Desktop
    Always needs an XP Installation/XP CD/XP OEM CD
    The motherboard manufacturer always supplies the motherboard drivers on a CD.

    Drivers for add-in cards are always supplied by the card manufacturer.

Store-bought including all laptops (Dell, HP-Compaq, Gateway, eMachines, Lenovo-IBM, Toshiba, Acer, Fujitsu, Sony, etc.)

Reinstallation or Restore will use 1 of these methods:

1. BIOS program to restore/recover XP from a disk image stored in a hidden partition. Motherboard drivers are already installed in the image.
   
   
2. XP program or BIOS program to burn a set of Restore/Recovery CDs. Boot off the first CD after burning all of them. Motherboard drivers are included in the CDs.
   
   
3. One or more Restore/Recovery CDs. Motherboard drivers included in the CD(s). Boot off the first CD after burning all of them. Motherboard drivers are included in the CDs.
   
   
4. An XP Installation CD from the PC manufacturer.  Motherboard drivers may or may not beincluded in the CD. A separate, additional driver installation CD may be supplied. Boot off the Install CD to reinstall XP. When XP is fully installed run the driver installers from the drivers CD.

If you received XP Install, Recovery or Restore CDs, but have lost or damaged them:

Replacement Restore/Installation/Recovery discs can be ordered from the PC manufacturer. You need to go to their web site (e.g., hp.com, dell.com, etc.) and navigate to Support, Customer Support or Technical Support. You need to find a link to a telephone number or an on-line "chat" session with a technical support representative. You may have to navigate thru many pages to find this information, but it will be there, somewhere.

Before contacting the Support person have all this info at your fingertips:

1) The model name, e.g., Presario, Pavillion, Satellite, etc. This is usually clearly printed or embossed on the case.

2) The model number, e.g., NX6325, D1600, etc. For desktops this will usually be on the front of the case. For laptops this is usually printed on the deck above the keyboard near the hinge.

3) The serial number.  In the case of Dells this is called the "Service Tag". This identifies the exact model, features and date of manufacture to the PC company so they know what what components are in the PC. For desktops this will be on a sticker on the back of the case. For laptops this will be on a sticker on the bottom of the PC.

4) You may need the XP registration number, but probably not. For desktops this is often found on  a sticker somewhere on the sides of the case in one corner or perhaps on the back of the case. For laptops the sticker would be on the bottom.

** Many PC manufacturers don't bother to post the XP registration number on the PC at all, so don't worry if you don't find it after looking thoroughly for it .

Replacement disc(s) typically run around $30 (USD). Shipping may be $5 extra.  At any rate, $35 is a real bargain! Be sure to ask for a drivers installation CD. This may be separate from the XP disc(s).

** Keep in mind that a Restore/Recovery will most likely wipe out all your added programs and any files you have added to the hard drive since you bought it.  If you want to back up your files you need to do this before restoration/recovery.