[rshaffer61]

Nope you have to have the disk. You might try this and see if there is a factory recovery partition on your hard drive. If not then you will need a disk to do it. FYI a factory recovery will normally format the system so all your data will be deleted.

HP:

Press the power button to start the HP. Press and hold the F11 key to launch the HP Recovery Manager from the recovery partition.




Compaq:

reboot and when you see the compaq logo hit F10

[Advertisements]

Hi there

I found an eHow guide on how to reinstall Windows XP without a CD. I am going to go this route as I don't have time to try to score a copy of Windows XP. I've already got my important files backed up to my external hard drive and I am going to back up my drivers using Semper Driver Backup.

Wish me luck.

Here is the eHow guide BTW...

Backup Windows - No CD needed.

I'll let you know the outcome of the install. Please keep this thread open for the next couple of days.

Edited by 360nourishment, 03 July 2012 - 09:46 PM.

[360nourishment]

Hi there

I found an eHow guide on how to reinstall Windows XP without a CD. I am going to go this route as I don't have time to try to score a copy of Windows XP. I've already got my important files backed up to my external hard drive and I am going to back up my drivers using Semper Driver Backup.

Wish me luck.

Here is the eHow guide BTW...

Backup Windows - No CD needed.

I'll let you know the outcome of the install. Please keep this thread open for the next couple of days.

Edited by 360nourishment, 03 July 2012 - 09:46 PM.

[rshaffer61]

Basically this is a repair installation since it wouldn't work if it was a true full installation because the first thing it would do is format your drive. That would cause the loss of the I386 folder and it wouldn't be able to continue then.

[Macboatmaster]

As my colleague says, not a waste of time, that is what we work here for, our enjoyment and to find the answer to the problem, even if it is not the solution.

Of course I only found the answer, as you know, by looking at one of your previous topics, originally to see if there was a clue to the present problems in one of those topics.

Good luck with it.

[360nourishment]

Well I'm back and this is shaping up to be an awesome day.

I tried to do a repair w/o the CD, and I cannot locate the winn32.exe file.

I've checked the i386 file and my computer (including the hidden files).

Do you guys have any suggestions or is this just hopeless w/o the disk?

[rshaffer61]

Are you sure it is winn32.exe and not win32.exe because the first looks to be a infection.

win32.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32

[360nourishment]

Hi

That's a typo on my part. The guide I was following refers to the file "winnt32.exe". This is the one I can't locate.

[rshaffer61]

That file should be in the I386 folder also. When it asks for the location type in C:\386\winnt32.exe

[360nourishment]

Hi,

Where would I type in that file path?

[360nourishment]

Where exactly would I type in that file path? (C:\386...)

[rshaffer61]

When it says it can't find the file it should give you the option to browse to find the file. You can either chose the location or type it in as I posted.

[360nourishment]

I don't have an option to browse. The only option that I have is to list all or part of the file name or a word or phrase in the file.

If I list the file path in this field I get an error message.

[rshaffer61]

What happens if you open the run box and type in winnt32.exe

[360nourishment]

I receive an error message that says that Windows cannot find 'winn32.exe'

[rshaffer61]

Again you say winn32 and it is winnt32