Would like to reformat, but no xp operating system cd.

Question

I currently have 2 dell systems. One is a 3 year old 4300, the other is a 1 year old 8300. I have decided to reformat my 4300, however I am told by dell's website that inorder to do this I will need the operating system cd. After re-checking all of the cd's for both systems I have found no operating system cd's   I cant believe I have misplaced 2 operating cd's and fell confident that I have never had them. I was under the impression dell do not provide operating system cd's. Either way how can I reformat? Is it possible without the cd's? if not can dell provide them?   Both systems are not second hand, they were both bought by me from dell. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

osprey4 · Answer

All of the discs, OS, drivers, apps, etc., should be in the box you got with your system, as shown here: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?DN=1062464   Did you 4300 come with XP or ME?

markt247 · Answer

I didnt receive any box like that. The cd's were in a large box along side the keyboard. I have every cd, for both pc's that came with them. All the microsoft suites, the likes of publishing, encarter, autoroute, money 2001 etc. All the cd's I received were kept within the keyboard box with all manuals, instructions and a mousemat. I just dont have a clue where the cd's are. If I had them they would be collecting dust with the rest as I have not had a need for them.

Mary G · Answer

I did not get the box that was shown in the illustration either. That's newer packaging. My XP cd was included but packaged differently. It is a purple cd marked 'Operating System already installed on your system.' Look through all your cd's again. Call Dell and explain the situation and they might be able to help. I'm surprised you never had to use the cd as your boot disk. It's very important to have that disk for reinstallations and booting. Since your computers are not new, you might have to purchase another. You can buy one retail upgrade cd to use on both computers with each computer's activation key.

jd10013 · Answer

contact dell support and they will proably send you a new disk, for a small fee.  If you can provide the activation number, serial number, and other information they need they can verify that you already purchased a copy of it.

SR45 · Answer

My system is still under warranty and do not know if it works for those out of warranty, but my os disk was damaged and was able to get another not too long ago from dell. Just call tech support and tell them you lost or damaged the os cd and need a replacement...

Dim 4400 ( 2002 )
2.6 Ghz
Bios A06
1 Gb DDR 2100
Windows XP Home
SP-2
1703 FP LCD monitor
PC-Cillin Internet Security

Tommieking · Answer

If you still got your c.o.a. of xp os, you can borrow someone xp cd.

Install to your computer and then change the product id to the one

in your c.o.a.

Have a look Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q321636.

It describes how to change the Window Product ID for a current

installation of Windows XP.

Inspiron 8500:
P4 2.5Ghz
512MB DDR RAM
60gig Ultra ATA HD
64MB NVIDIA GeForce FX Go4200
100Mb Ethernet
15.4" Wide Aspect Ultrasharp WUXGA

markt247 · Answer

Thanks for the replies. I guess I must have put them somewhere 'safe' :)   I will have a good look for them at the weekend. When you mentioned purple cd's it rang a bell.   Thanks again.

Windows General

Would like to reformat, but no xp operating system cd.

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