another computer geek question

[firehawk1120]

I have a compaq presario laptop that is running ultra slow I've had multiple catastrophic shut downs recently. I want to reinstall windows and see if that helps. I don't have anything on the laptop that isn't already saved someplace so losing data is of no concern.

The question is I don't have the original recovery cd from the laptop, but I do have a windows xp system disk cd from my emachine pc. Can I use that to re-install windows on the laptop or will it not let me or will it F it up even more.

Thanks

[WildBillyT]

You can reinstall Windows right over the existing file system. Just make sure you don't format the drive when it asks you.

You will bust links to your "My Documents" and other system settings associated with your user accounts. The data will be there but you will have to do some hax0r stuff to get around the windows "security".

I've done this more than I care to admit. IMO recovery disks are good for beer coasters only. Lightweight footprint FTW.

[shane27]

formatting laptops can be tricky because some have drivers and programs essential to having the laptop run at its best that windows xp dosent come with. make sure u back up what u need on a flash drive and if you dont know what you need....try to find out.

There is a way to reinstall windows without formatting but you should make a backup of the files anyway, just in case. its not the ASR either (automated system recovery) i think you press F6 or something to do it...i dont remember

[Saitin]

chances are if it is crashing and running slow you have some kind of virus i'd run a anti virus before going through the hassle of reformatting.
but to properly reformat a laptop and have it back running like it did the day you got it you need to go to the campaq website find your laptop and download the drivers and save them to a cd or someplace not on the lap top then simply reformat using your windows disk after the format is complete in order to get network access and have ur video/sound card and USB ports work you needa install the drivers.

[Z28 Heritage]

Run Spybot....you can get it from their website..google search it..It's free. And run windows defender...from microsoft website...free too