My laptop is almost expired, I have honoustly exhausted this machine to its limits, I've had it for the last three years and during the school semester I NEVER SHUT IT DOWN. In other words, the machine works 24/7 for 6 months at least. Anyway, my CD-ROM has stopped functioning, I am sure that it is a hardware problem that I cannot personally resolve, and I have decided to 'live-with-it' until I get a new laptop during summer of maybe the start of next academic year, but I seriously need to format my computer, I have my recovery CD, but as I said, my CD-ROM does not work. I can transfer all the contents of my CD through our home LAN to my computer, but I need a way to run the data on some sort of a virtual CD-ROM drive if that is possible for me to be able to format the machine. Is what I am trying to do possible, or I am just being too creative for current technology?

Blue_Chi needs help!

I can transfer all the contents of my CD through our home LAN to my computer, but I need a way to run the data on some sort of a virtual CD-ROM drive if that is possible for me to be able to format the machine. Is what I am trying to do possible, or I am just being too creative for current technology?

Blue_Chi needs help!


Depends on your BIOS mostly, if you BIOS can boot from a USB drive than maybe you could borrow some sort of external USB CD-ROM drive.

You mentioned a LAN, so you can install through the Ethernet port (once again, depends on your BIOS).

Finally, you can also IMAGE/MIRROR/GHOST/COPY the contacts on another fresh install of XP on to the hardrive by whatever means ... it doesn't have to be a 'perfect/identical setup' as your current laptop ... Windows XP is pretty good and changing drivers/controllers after one reboot or so.

If you want to run us through together on this thread, than lets start with your specific make/model of laptop, and we'll do this in a simple A,B,C fashion depending on what your circumstances are.

:)

Pretender, thanks on the great info. Lets please run this step by step if possible. My laptop is a Compaq Presario 700, I'm running Windows XP Home Edition, with service pack 2. I do not have the actual Windows XP CD, but the "Compaq Recovery CD", it allows me to restore my computer to its factory settings by reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition over my original OS.

Is this your laptop? http://www.geocities.com/hpmsgs/700xx/700_systemviews.htm

Navigating through the BIOS
The following table explains how to navigate through the BIOS:Key on keyboard
Description of function

F1 or F10
Enter Setup at the red Compaq logo or blue HP logo

F1
Setup Help

Esc
Exit Setup

Up or Down arrow key
Selects an item (Moves the cursor up or down)

Left or Right arrow key
Selects a different menu screen (Moves the cursor left or right)

+ or -
Changes the values of the selected item

Enter
Select submenu

F5
Load the Setup default values

F10
Save changes and Exit

Boot menu

For example: Removable devices, CD ROM, and hard drive.

So please explain what options you have in the boot menu ... what devices can you boot from ...

Can you get hold of an external Cd-Burner? If so, then go ahead and get one to backup your files.

If not, then do you have a friend whom has a desktop or laptop? If so, then you can network them, and transfer the files between each other.

Pretender, yes that's my laptop, doesn't it looks sexy? XD
Don K, I already said that I am running on a LAN, so backing up my files is not really a problem; what I am trying to do is format my computer.

BTW, I will check my BIOS settings now.

My BIOS version is 0F0C or something like that.

I have these option in my boot menu:
Floppy Drive,
ATAPI CD ROM
HARD-DRIVE
NETWORK,

I had a mutli-card reader plugged in my USB port which works like a portable drive, but there was no option to boot from it from that menu, I don't think that it was accessible.

My BIOS version is 0F0C or something like that.

I have these option in my boot menu:
Floppy Drive,
ATAPI CD ROM
HARD-DRIVE
NETWORK,

I had a mutli-card reader plugged in my USB port which works like a portable drive, but there was no option to boot from it from that menu, I don't think that it was accessible.

It won't be if the BIOS doesn't give you an option ...

Don't worry, now we know ... we'll ghost/copy it over a network. Or do a fresh install over the network.

Will answer at the end of the day ... gotta run to school ...

That's cool Pretender, I have started the backup process.

That's cool Pretender, I have started the backup process.

I'm baaack ...

WB! My housemate has enough space on his computer for to just shift all my files temporary on his machine so that we can proceed with the format process. What should I do next?

You will not be able to ghost a copy of Windows XP over the network on to the computer, windows XP will stop functioning if any major piece of hardware is changed. (ie, hard drive, motherboard). It's so that loads of people don't just use copied versions of windows xp and do exactly what you're trying to do.

Things to remember before formatting:
-Backup your Outlook Express Files (The folder that contains the messages) + create a backup of your Address Book + Backup your Mail settings.

-If you are on DOS you NOT be able to access your network! So don't format the HD and then think that you will install windows form the network!

-Laptops do need a special CD for their motherboards, so even after installing WinXP you may not get your hardware installed that means XP may not recognize your hardware (possibility).

-You may install XP from your HD, but you need a special installation process to do it (not just setup from the DOS prompet, it will not work!), XP needs to boot from the CD to install as a default...

nobody uses dos these days....after all, windows XP is built on windows NT not DOS ;)

The backup process is not a big deal. My problem is formatting my computer, I am planning to use my recovery CD to format my OS, but from what I read is that it might not work using a ghost drive, because hardware changes might make 'the installation of windows XP not work' or would it 'disable me from activating my Windows XP OS"? Which of the two?

Anyway, the issue is that I am not trying to do a standard fresh new copy of XP, I just WANT TO RUN MY RECOVERY CD AT STARTUP SO THAT I CAN RESTORY MY COMPUTER TO ITS FACTORY SETTINGS.

Isn't that different from reinstalling windows once more? :think: Using the recovery CD does not require me to do any activation for my windows or anything at all because it came with the system, I've done it in the past several times and it did not require me to do that. HELP.

I might take my laptop to some computer shop tomorrow morning and try to plug another CD ROM inside it, would this work?!

That would be the wise thing to do.

Blue_Chi, you can only really restore factory settings when you are using the original copy of Windows XP. Just put in the XP cd, go into the setup and just reinstall windows using a full format of your drive.

and by the way Haroundb, please stop calling the Console DOS...because it isnt....

Gunther, I do not have the XP CD, I have my Recovery CD, which I always use to format my computer.

oh i see....well when you bought your computer it should have come with a copy....

anyway, what does your recovery cd have on it? and how have you used it in the past and what is different when you try it now?

Gunther, you must be really lost. LOL, MY CD ROM IS NOT WORKING, THAT IS WHY I CANNOT USE MY RECOVERY CD NOW!!!!!!

In the past, I used to simply insert my CD, restart my computer, and it will take me to the recovery window, that does not give me any choices about the partitions or anything. It just tells me: Do you want to restore factory settings, I press "Y" and it just says, deleting, and then copying system data, and like magic, I would have a fresh copy of Windows XP Home Edition on my laptop, I just have to choose my location, put the name of my computer, and Microsoft's greatest blessing would be infront of me.

*SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP*

I was originally going to take my computer to the computer shop to try plugging another internal CD ROM inside to see if it will work, but I took so much time copying my old files. I will go do it on Monday now.

*SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP*

I was originally going to take my computer to the computer shop to try plugging another internal CD ROM inside to see if it will work, but I took so much time copying my old files. I will go do it on Monday now.

Sorry BC, I was busy with school and away for most of the weekend.

But I've thought of your situation, and what you have, and the simplest solution is this.

If your computer is on a network (like connected to a friends PC on a LAN).

1) Make sure you move all you documents, favorites, emails, music/video, etc (you know the drill) to his PC.

2) DO NOT FORMAT your PC. But UNINSTALL everything from Windows using Add/Remove fromt the control panel (there is a method to the madness).

3) Delete all the extra stuff on your hard drive. The only three folders that should be left are: the \Windows \My Documents \Program Files

4) Finally, grab the recovery cd, stick it into your friends machine that is connected to you machine over the network ... if the recovery cd comes with windows xp on it, than you are set for the final step: copying and installing the files from the CD (over the network from your friends machine) to a folder new folder in your hardrive (call it RECOVERY or whatever).

Now it's important to note the recovery CD must have the Windows XP files (and especially the folder called I386), if it doesn't just borrow a Windows XP from anyone or anybody so you can get these files.

If you really believe that something on the Recovery CD alone will fix your laptop (which I doubt it) than you can still copy all of the contents over the network to your PC.

Than just use a boot disk, you can get any kind you need from www.bootdisk.com to boot from your A: driver (floppy) and go into the folder you called Recovery and launch any of the recovery/setup programs that came on that CD.

So you have two choices basically:

1) Move the contents of your recovery cd to your hard drive over the network through your friends pc to a folder in your C: drive. Than boot to DOS using a boot disk to use the recovery programs.

2) Move the contents of a Windows XP CD over the network through your friends pc to a folder (which might be on the recovery CD), in your C: drive. Than boot to DOS using a boot disk / windows installation floppy disk using your A: drive to start a fresh/clean install of Windows XP.

Choice is yours ... what do you want to do?

pretender, why not just explain how to take an image of a cd on another computer, copy it over and format?

Sorry Blu_Chi, was mixed up between two threads :s.

You don't have to make an image. More importantly ... I don't think he wants to Format his laptop anymore ... depends on what BC wants to do.

I'm pretty sure he justs wants to use his Recovery CD, so all he has to do is copy the contents over the network to his hardrive ... quite simple. And just boot up from DOS.

No rocket science involved.

Hmmm... I actually just want to run my Recovery CD just as what Pretender said. I am not sure of how to run boot up from DOS though. Could someone please expand a little bit more on that... :( I am a Law student, I do not do IT. (lol, excuses!)

Pretender, BC can't just copy the contents of a cd and use it, you need an image.

Blu_Chi I suggest you take an image of the recovery CD and copy it over and run with a daemon.

Here are the steps involved.
(do on seperate computer)

1) Download "Blindwrite" (Google it)
2) Take an image of your cd and store it on the hard drive somewhere.
3) Download "Daemon Tools" on computer your trying to restore (Google it)
4) Copy CD Image over to computer and mount the image with daemon tools. (not hard to do, right click on daemon icon, make sure all emulation options are on, and then click on the drive you want to mount it on and load the image)

This will bring up the options menu for your recovery CD and you can restore your computer.

That's only a Windows only solution ... using Daemon tools or Alcohol 120 or whatever will only work from Windows ... I imagine that the recovery CD is boot from DOS option ONLY.

I googled it: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00034787&product=95516&dlc=en&lang=en


If you want to restore the laptop completely ... like BC wants to ... to factory settings the CD needs to boot from DOS ... and that just requires fooling DOS into thinking that it just booted from the recovery cd.

The easiest way is:

1) Make a folder in windows in your C: drive ... call it RECOVERY for example.

2) Over the network from your friends PC, copy ALL the files from the CD into the RECOVERY folder you made in step one on your PC.

3) Boot to DOS using a boot disk made from www.bootdisk.com go to the C: drive, type: C:

4) Go into the C:\Recovery folder, type: CD Recovery from the C:\> in DOS

5) Launch the setup program for recovery ... its probably .com .exe .bat file ... ask anyone of your computer literate friends around you to help you.

Should launch it ... and voila ... I have a question though ... how many partitions do you have BC ... do you have C: hardrive only and/or D: hardrive?

I ask only because for this to be successful ... the RECOVERY folder may have to be in another drive (if it wipes C: completely).

This would take only half an hour tops if someone who knew what he was doing was with you.

Pretender, I have two partitions, one is for my data, and the other one is called SYSTEM_SAV.

Oh for ****s sake Pretender, windows is the easiest and safest option, Windows XP doesnt even have dos!

Oh for ****s sake Pretender, windows is the easiest and safest option, Windows XP doesnt even have dos!

I'm going to say this sloooowly one last time ... the Compaq Presario Recovey CD is meant to boot from DOS. Not Windows.

I hope that statement is simple to understand ... but if you read the link above ... you can understand from another source.

Pretender, I have two partitions, one is for my data, and the other one is called SYSTEM_SAV.

What's is on SYSTEM_SAV ... and can you make a folder called RECOVERY on the SYSTEM_SAV partition ... than copy all the contents of your Recovery CD into it from your friends PC.

(Step 1+2 above but D: drive if you have space not C: drive).

Pretender, I copied all the contents of the Recovery CD into a folder in the D drive, the contents of the CD were less than 2 MB. The D partition has data that seems to me like factory settings..

I went to the Bootdisk.com, but I do not know which file to download.. Could you please direct me to the actual file to download. :S

I guess people want to know how this ended ... we managed to make a Recovery Floppy using the Recovery CD ... ok ... except because of copy protection in the boot sector of Recovery CD.

Long story short ... it needs to boot from the CD physically ... no imaging/no copying/no networking.

BC is going to get the CD drive fixed ... good luck!

I would like to thank Pretender for all the help he offered me, though the attempt failed at the end, but I am really sorry for all the trouble that I caused him. I took my laptop to the computer shop today, I hope it gets fixed.

I would like to thank Pretender for all the help he offered me, though the attempt failed at the end, but I am really sorry for all the trouble that I caused him. I took my laptop to the computer shop today, I hope it gets fixed.

Anytime! Its a learning process for me too ...

If you copied the image properly then you would not have needed to get the drive fixed, there are several ways to override cd protection.

Also, Pretender, it does not boot into DOS because as i said, DOS doesn't exist on windows xp, thats just a daemon. Its called the pre OS initialisation, in which everything is checked before the hard drive takes over, that is the job of the BIOS.

Also, im sure like all other recovery cd's made by any company, you can initialise the recovery sequence from windows, in which it will copy the contents of it to the hard drive and then when booting up will initiate the recovery. This can also be done with the Windows XP CD.

I finally got my computer fixed, there was a serious problem with my hardware, so they had to take the hard drive out and plug it to another machine so that they can format it. Anyway, I did not fix the CD Rom, and I am happily surviving with its healthy OS now... :D Thanks for all the people that helped me through this, I am alive once more.