Quick Question About Reformatting...

[Disney Channel]

When I was reading a guide I saw that you needed a registration key to activate windows-since I don't have a disc, where would I find it on my computer? *Hopes he didn't lose it*

Also, could anyone give me general guidelines about reformatting so I don't **** up my computer, what the computer's like after reformatting, etc?

Thanks, it's my first time reformatting so I hope I don't screw up.

[Jon88]

Have not tested it myself, so use at your own risk:
Magical Jelly Bean Software - Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v1.5

You could always download windows and burn it to a CD. Legally speaking I don't know, but it should be fine since you did in fact own 1, and you do have the License which is really all that matters.

[Seriatim]

That jelly bean keyfinder should work well.

What Version of windows are you running?

I can find a torrent for you =D

i just installed XP home this morning after being fed up with vista.

and since my pc originally came with XP Home, i had the serial sticker on the outside of my computer tower case im so lucky i dont have to deal with OS's anymore :]


but yea, if you dont want to use that soft. just look for a sticker on your tower case.

should be there.

[Disney Channel]

So downloading and installing a windows torrent would be the same as reformatting? : O

[Jon88]

Originally Posted by Disney Channel

So downloading and installing a windows torrent would be the same as reformatting? : O

No, but if you do reformat, and you do not have the Windows CD; how do you plan on reinstalling windows? You will need a copy of windows on a CD in order to reinstall it (or separate boot partition, but I ain't helping with that). And just to be sure, if you do not want to loose all your files (papers, pictures, music, videos) you need to move them off the computer, either to another computer, a CD or flash drive.

[Disney Channel]

Ok, I guess my question isn't as quick as I thought it'd be. >.<

I uh..just so happened to stumble upon a windows CD. How would I go about reformatting using it?

/reformatingnoob

[Jon88]

Well to be honest, I can't say the steps off the top of my head, and I am also to lazy to 'comfirm' this article, but at a 3 second glace it looked legit.

Geek to Live: How to format your hard drive and install Windows XP from scratch

[Disney Channel]

Looks pretty easy, except for all the drivers and such..that'll probably end up being Hell.
Since I'm using all of the out-of-the-box equipment except for my printer and router, it should still work upon re-intsillation right?
Thanks.

[Jon88]

Originally Posted by Disney Channel

Looks pretty easy, except for all the drivers and such..that'll probably end up being Hell.
Since I'm using all of the out-of-the-box equipment except for my printer and router, it should still work upon re-intsillation right?
Thanks.

^I do not get it. Anyway, reformatting your computer means EVERYTHING is gone , erased, no more. Anything on the computer is gone for ever...

You then reinstall windows. Since you have a legal copy of windows you should consider a windows update at some point, though it does not have to be the first thing. You should install things such as your mouse/keyboard, printer, router, etc. You should also install a firewall and anti virus software!!! You then update various things such as your graphic card driver, internet explorer, Firefox, media players, etc...

Once those are said and done, you can then start thinking about installing crap like GunZ and stuff; also transferring your stored files back onto the computer.

[goodboy5]

If you reformat everything will be gone.

[Disney Channel]

So if I don't have any driver discs and no other desktop I could use to burn the driver instillation to CDs to install on the fresh copy, I shouldn't go through with it?

[Jon88]

Originally Posted by Disney Channel

So if I don't have any driver discs and no other desktop I could use to burn the driver instillation to CDs to install on the fresh copy, I shouldn't go through with it?

You may want your printer CD if it came with one... or a special keyboard/mouse. But generally windows will support basic stuff. Your graphics card, etc, you download online at the manufacturers website, after you reformat, windows will support basic stuff, but you need Direct X updates and stuff to play games, etc.

Though if you are talking about program install disks that you no longer have, and you do not use p2p sharing, then yes do not reformat, because you will loose those programs, and have no freeway of getting them back.

[Ac!d Ra!n]

Isn't this like Illegal?

ROFL

You SHOULD buy the Activation Key. Go to the nearest Computer shop and ask for such thing.

I am not saying anything more as it is Illegal

Regards,
Ac!d Ra!n

[Jon88]

Originally Posted by Ac!d Ra!n

Isn't this like Illegal?

ROFL

You SHOULD buy the Activation Key. Go to the nearest Computer shop and ask for such thing.

I am not saying anything more as it is Illegal

Regards,
Ac!d Ra!n

I may have made some subtle 'illegal' suggestions, but the original problem is not illegal. If you purchase a copy of windows with the key, then there is no reason you cannot recover the key from the computer if you should lose the case, or whatever the key information was on.

...O I get it. rofl I totally mis-read the first post. hahaha.... his/her original copy is a 'demo' version? Well in that case, jellybean finder will not find what is needed.

What ever, good luck on your ventures.