startup disk for hp

is there any way I can download a startup disk for windows xp for my hp comp? I'm wiping the drive and i have lost the startup disk.

I don't think you can download them, but you can order them from HP for like $46. When I chatted with support they said I could get Windows XP startup disks at BestBuy for even cheaper...not sure if they really have them though. shrug

What are you trying to do exactly because a lot of startup discs are free on the net...

i just need to completely wipe my hard drive (got a virus) and start over completely.

Are you reinstalling WindowsXP?

yeah, i need to completely wipe my hard drive, then reinstall xp onto it

Put the XP disc in. Boot the the CD. Go through the steps and say you want to install a new version of Windows. When it asks you to select a partition to install it on, delete the exsisting one and create a new one. When it gets to the formating option, choose NTFS but not the fast option so it totally wipes the drive...

[quote78ae020747="Wolfeman"]Put the XP disc in. Boot the the CD. Go through the steps and say you want to install a new version of Windows. When it asks you to select a partition to install it on, delete the exsisting one and create a new one. When it gets to the formating option, choose NTFS but not the fast option so it totally wipes the drive...[/quote78ae020747]
I think he was looking for a restore disc with Windows XP.

OH WELL! That'll work if you have your XP Install CD...

well that's the thing. i can't find the cd.

Have you checked the Microsoft homepage?....I thought they had the restore program available for download....

I'm not sure how you plan on installing it then. You legally can't just download a CD full of software like that.. and I'm fairly sure nobody's seeding it on a torrent P

Do you have your CD-Key? Is it XP Home or Pro?

Try this....I got it directly from Microsoft.com.....Everything you need should be right there on your CPU...
[quote3594374d38="Microsoft.com"]1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
4. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system checkpoint in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
5. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
6. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears.
7. Click OK. [/quote3594374d38]

it's xp home. i'm not sure where the key is

System Restore won't help if its a virus...

[quoteadbbde0587="Wolfeman"]System Restore won't help if its a virus...[/quoteadbbde0587]
Really?....I thought it was made specifically for viruses or if anything on your computer screwed up....Glad I kept my disc....

Well it can help with some viruses but a lot are too smart. Its more made for if an installation fucks up your system or some system settings get corrupted...

okay, so i found it, but I just thought of something. I have all my settings for my wireless lan/dsl. Obviously, i'm gonna wipe that too when I do this. is it possible for me to save those settings? Also I have two laptops connected wirelessly to this network from this comp. can i save those settings???

since you found your key, you can use anyones CD that matches your version of windows now. if u need, i can hook u up with an ISO from my jobs website. as for your network settings, what sort of settings are you talking about? do you mean like WEP keys?

Its probably easiest to just write the settings down.

You could try Start->All Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Files and Settings Transfer Wizzard.