Should i buy a windows xp install disc or get a new computer?

Question

Today i got the blue screen of death on my delll latitude d630. and it finally reached the point where i can even start up the computer because the start up file is corrupted. so i believe there'd be no point in getting the disc if i cant even start up the computer to install it, so should i get the windows xp install disc, or save up for a new computer?

Answer 1

Your Dell computer likely has a recovery partition on the hard disk. There are boot options available when the computer starts - usually with F11 - that should give you access to the recovery section. Using that you can likely repair your existing configuration or, if that isn't possible, at least restore the original installation.



Good luck.

Answer 2

there are a few things you could try before you actually call the pc beyond repair.



Firstly if it is dell try to resore the machin as long as there is nothing on it you want, remember if you want any of the data like pictures or emails etc from it when you reinstall you loose it all. You need to take this to a store or a friend to recover before you do anything (simply remove the hard drive and recover the data before you do anything)



if your happy the drive hasnt anything and your good to try then firstly try restore, as it is dell if its relatively new try f11 or whatever it stays on the first start screen and follow the instructions.



Other method is, look a the pc for a "windows xp certificate" sticker, this has a code on it for you to use. if it has one then you are in luck, you can borrow any copy of windows xp and try to install from that, the key means you dont need one on the disc so you could get a friend to download a copy, its not illegal to do this as you already have the key! install and reboot.



If you are feeling a bit techie, you could try to repair your machine, from the sounds of things the only problem with itis that the boot record, the bit of the disc that tells it how to startup, is broken, this can be repaired using the recovery tool on the xp disc. insert it and select recovery.



Oh might mention though that all this is for nothing if the actual disc is broken or has reached the end of its life, again if you have a tech friend or another computer, if you download something like Ubuntu which is a live linux (dont panic) you just burn the disc put it in the computer and turn it on. If it starts you can see if the drive is actually still working.

Answer 3

If you go this route you'll save a bunch of money and not have to worry about XP not being supported after 2014. If you have access to another computer download and install the appropriate ISO Burner/Recorder program for that particular operating system. Then go to http://distrowatch.com and download and burn to disc any 32 bit (x-865, i86, 1386, i486, i586, i686, etc.-any thing that is not 64 bit or x64, amd 64, etc.) that interests you. A good example is Zorin 4 or 5 which can be set up to emulate (mock) the Windows XP, 7, or Vista desktop.



Other good ones are Linux Mint, openSUSE (which falls under Microsoft management), Peppermint Two (if you like Google Chrome browser, Pinguy, just to name a few. Or you can go to either www.discountlinuxdvd.com www.linuxcd.org or www.osdic.com and even on ebay to buy already burned low priced Linux discs.



Linux can do every thing Windows can do and more. There is never a need for security suites, anti virus, defragging, etc. as Linux is already secure and does not suffer from security holes and issues like Windows does.



I would also replace my bios battery if you have one (usually a watch battery) and recheck and reset bios. I hope this helps and if you have any more questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Answer 4

when installing windows, you need to go into the bios and change the disk boot order and then run the installer,



if you are having issues like that you can do a repair install, put in your windows disk after changing the boot order and run it.. sounds like you just need to fix a couple of things, no need for a new computer at all.

Answer 5

while you're proceeding merchandising the computers with Ubuntu O/S; then i do no longer see the factor of dealing with a Microsoft O/S to accomplish that. what's a USB internet card? i ask your self in spite of in case you purely could desire to acquire the Ubuntu installation as quickly as, and could save it in a roundabout way, so as that that's utilized as a bootstrap? then you certainly could have no licence issues. installation Win98 or Win2k on very present day kit isn't this style of superb theory because of the fact those did no longer contain the drivers for sufficient presently obtainable gadgets. comprehend no longer something approximately Ubuntu or Linux; yet remember DOS and its pre-cursors; so the assumption could paintings for you?? you need to use Vista, in a constrained way without registering it, for 30 days; yet I wager that Microsoft could have it set so which you will no longer flow to the Ubuntu website......

Answer 6

you can buy a new pc and monitor for $400