need to reinstall without CD's

[abart]

Hi there. I hope I can explain this correctly. After spending 1.5 hours on hold with tech support at HP/Compaq last night I am ready to pull my hair out.

Short history. I could not access my device manager. Said I didn't have access. Tech support the 1st time tried all sorts of stuff. What we did next was to start to reinstall the OS, I think. I bought a Compaq Presario from Best Buy. I didn't get the XP cds. I don't know how to reinstall without them. Anyway, we are going through it and when we got to the part that would take awhile they said they'd call me back in a half hour. They never did. A dialog box popped up asking me to insert the CDs!! I don't have them!!! And I don't know where to browse to find the OS.
Can someone please tell me how to do this. Thanks!

ABart

[snowmonkey]

You must have got some sort of CD , even if it is not labled as Windows XP. Usually HP, IBM, DELL and bigger company have recovery CD instead of OS CD, the recovery CD would have an image of your hard drive,,,,,,, You said you started to install the OS,, from where ? where does installation files reside ? Put the Recovery CD into your system, and see if you can a file called "i386" in it, if so, that would be your installtion file.

cheers

[beeboy]

I suspect the recovery files could be on a separate partition on the hard drive itself. I'm pretty sure hp and perhaps compac do not supply a recovery cd.

[snowmonkey]

Good to hear from you beeboy,, long time no post !!!

(y)

cheers

[chance]

compaq computers with xp preinstalled (pre xp buy out) came with a format and recovery cd, which depending on the model, may have been stand alone disk or use some files(software bundle) from the d drive, usually 5 gig to restore the computer.
not sure of compaqs after the hp merger as i have yet to work on one.
hp computers with xp have a on-board system restore, start>all programs>HP(or hp tools)>system recovery.
being yours is the compaq variety i am not sure if this applies but will post anyway.
on hp computers with on-board system recovery, if you have installed service pack 1 you must go to the hp site and download a patch for the restore, if you dont and you do a (user recovery) which leaves your info, but replaces xp it will trash everything. you can do the format and recovery which wipes everything and make it like the day you bought the pc.
if the compaq computers made after the merger have a on-board restore, i would check before using the program, for updates/know issues.
they will send you format and recovery cd, price is usually $10usa dollars. 1-800-OK-COMPAQ
this is handy to have even if you fix the issue now, would still be nice to have the cd set.

[jkereluk89]

When you boot up press F10. It'll come to a recovery program and from there it has step by step instructions. All the drivers, operating system, and everything is usally in a hidden partition using about 2-3 GB.

[abart]

Thank you everyone. Yes, I did find the files.
I tried the F10 thing and it has been working up to a certain point. BUT, it hangs at the screen where you put in the time zone, language etc. I let it sit there and it stayed overnight. Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!