Restore Dell PC without Reformatting?

[thrllskr]

Thanks to this site I recently rebuilt my own PC when my MB and HD died (must have been a surge or something), The Only Couch Rider hooked me up with a good PC for my Dad, so here is my last challenge - getting my fiancee's computer running better.

The problem - lots of crap, maybe some spyware, but it runs ridiculously slow. It's a Dell, about 2-3 years old. For her, its fine if I can get it running better.

The solution - backup data (already did) and re-format.

The bigger problem - she doesn't have the restore CD or anything that came with it.

What are my options? I am thinking I may just go out and buy a new copy of XP and install it. Anything cheaper I could try? I wish I could just delete everything but Windows but that will never fix all the problems. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks.

[Vumad]

You could buy another copy of the CD from Dell.

[the only couch rider]

new copy of XP = 292.99 shipped

[thrllskr]

I have another Dell computer sitting here - it was my brothers and is done. I just took the memory and HD out of it to put in a my fiancee's computer. That one has a code on the side for XP. Can I use that code with my XP cd or are the codes actually tied to the copy of the CD?

[the only couch rider]

the media will work with any valid code, it is not tied to the cd. as long as it bounces back from microsoft with a valid code you should be fine

[thrllskr]

new copy of XP = 292.99 shipped

Is that a typo - Staples has it for $199. Either way, it doesn't seem worth it to get an old computer running.

[thrllskr]

the media will work with any valid code, it is not tied to the cd. as long as it bounces back from microsoft with a valid code you should be fine

Cool - I'll give that shot.

I'm not sure if she's going to kill me or love me when she finds out I reformatted her PC!!! At least I backed up her data!

[thrllskr]

$@!*&)@!# @*U!#)@ @!#(*U#@ #@!(*#!!@ @(*#@(!#()*@_)$^@&!!!!!!!

I reformatted and now it won't accept the Windows XP Home code from the Dell computer. The CD I installed from is XP Home as well.

Any ideas???

[Anthony]

Ubuntu :-).

[accbr]

Pm'd you.

[thrllskr]

Ubuntu :-).

Actually not a bad thought - I would like to try that out on a spare computer. Unfortunately, I don't know how she'll feel about making her computer my "spare." Lol!

Pm'd you.

Replied - thanks!

[Anthony]

All depends what she is using it for. If she is just going online, it has Firefox. She'll be fine.

[MADMAT]

A Dell restore CD won't ask for the key.

Make sure you delete all partitions when reinstalling. I have been seeing small partitions added to hard drives and if you don't catch it you will reload Windows on to your freshly formatted C only to have the virus rebuild itself from a hidden partition.

I would call Dell and order the proper restore CD's for like 15 bones. If they will still do it that is. Sometimes they have a cut off point.