HELP!! I have no operating system, no restore disc, and a blank hard drive!!!!?

If you have the disc with SP1 then install it. Everything should go ok besides maybe a few peripherals that might not work. Windows should install enough stuff that you will be able to go to Dell's website to download the drivers.

You can install from any XP disc....as long as it is your version, and you use your own COA number

good luck!

Not to sound stupid or anything, but why can't you use the computer you used to post this question? Simply installing a new operation system, which is what the disk from Dell will do, does NOT restore any of the programs or data you HAD. All of THAT, your data, IS gone. I think you have maybe learned an important lesson here, not that it will help you with your project due on Monday, but why did you NOT make a recovery disk when you had the chance so you had a BACKUP you could RESTORE everything from? Now you know why my friends are so sick of me harping on BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP all the time. A long time ago, a wise programming instructor told me, "It isn't a matter of IF your computer fails, it is WHEN." At which point we launched into a 2 day discussion of the design of backup systems for reliability and longevity. I am sorry for your loss. I am not hopeful you will get much accomplished before your project is due... Don't shopot the messenger...

Yep, you're in a heap of trouble. Most have backup software either on their Dell-requested-sent discs the first 30 days after purchase or on a "spare partition" away from the main bootable partition on the hard drive.

If your hard drive failed, the problem results in the backup image file going with it to hades.

It's possible to get to install Windows XP AND service pack 1 (and later download the upgrade) but firstly, your hardware drivers (sound, motherboard, video, etc.) need to be downloaded from the net (you can access it from Dell.com/support using your ID/service pack number.

A quick way is to pay the $38.00 plus tax ($42.xx) and let the service support specialist use specific keystrokes to follow you to the partition to restore the image file back into the hard drive (granted, it will format in the process and you'll lose what content is on their as it starts with a clean slate). I'vd done this last week and found it easier than above to get drivers, etc..in time. Your only other worry is whether you have a BAD hard drive not accessible and have to purchase one for $60.00 from them (and wait a week).

Hopefully, the Dell tech support will be onpen to help you on this.

For the record, if anyone EVER buys a computer, make sure they give you the backup software and not pre-load it ONLY on the hard drive (for this reason) because hard drives will fail and that's a major problem with pre-loaded software.. they will send the discs free to you when requestned during the 30 days. Afterwards, they charge you the $42.00 for the call to get you up and running from the backup partition. If they cannot and find the drive bad, they will send you the setup/backup discs free with the cost of the $42.00 if they determine the drive to be faulty.

--best, Jerrytt, President--Chalmette Computer Users' Group

Try that XP disk but DON'T do any updates with it if it's for another computer and you can't use the key that was on the laptop but have to "borrow" one. The key will quite possibly end up on Microsoft's pirate list. Just stay away from the internet as much as possible and install security software if you don't have any and trust to that to protect you if you have to go on the internet.

Free programs if you need them because you have other programs that you can't use until you get your Dell CD:

--Antivirus: AVG 8 or Avast

--Antispyware: Spybot and Adaware (NOT Adware) - both of which are excellent anyway. Adaware you run yourself, Spybot is able to run all the time.

--Firewall: Zone Alarm Free or Kerio Personal

--Office software: WordPad and format later at school/work or explain why it isn't "pretty" OR

OpenOffice - this will run on XP or on Linux if you end up needing to go that way for now. I suggest trying to get that XP running rather than learn a new operating system and Office package if possible - you don't have time!

Borrow a flash drive to get your file off that computer if you want to stay off the internet. It should just need plugging in if you are using XP and XP will know what to do with it.

By the way, a lot of broadband modems will provide a certain amount of protection from the internet attacks if you need to do that.

I believe windows has a disc management utility build into it. I would try to click start button then "run..." then type "diskmgmt.msc" with out the " marks....then you can probably reformat the linux partition. this will allow windows to recognize the partition that was once set aside for the linux install. you might be able to delete all the data fromt he linux partition and change it to a blank one that windows can recognize. merging partitions is a bit more tricky to do than simply formatting existing ones..... you may want to try a 3rd party partitioning program. I use partition wizard myself.. as far as your back up discs and what they offer in terms of changing partitions back to the original configuration Ive never used them before. A genuine stand alone windows disc will allow you to change them to be exactly as you want them, during the install, and will remove linux from your drive like a piece of cancer if you wish.

The most important thing to you is the project right? i hope you have a backup copy. if you didn't start on it, then you can install windows xp sp1 just dont use the internet often because it has security holes, then go to windows microsoft website to download windows xp sp2 to upgrade back to the normal state. if you did loose important work id suggest you get recovery software on another computer, transfer the drive to the other computer and start recovering your data.

Go here: http://tpdownload.com/themosteffectiveregistryclea...

It lists top 5 the best and latest registry cleaner softwares' review in 2008.

All can be trusted and you free download.

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Try downloading a free operating system such as a version of linux. You can also try barrowing a friend's disc if they don't mind.

throw in a ubuntu live cd, that will get you by, and if you like it, u could install it too

buy XP at walmart