Windows XP forum: reformat hard drive

Dear MarkFlax et. all,

I apologize for my misinformation. On deeper search, I discovered the os reinstallation disk for Win XP, as well as some of the program software that was installed on the computer.

The previously mentioned disks had been ordered for my now defunct HP Netbook 110-1030CA, which had no internal cd drive. I had uses an external drive with this machine.

I am reinstalling the original hd in the dell before study of the correct reformat procedure.

Thanx for the advice. I will inform you of the results, good or bad.

I downloaded a boot disk file from Microsoft. When decompressed, this would provide the information necessary to use the cd-rom for reinstallation of the Win XP os. The files were copied to a series of 6x3.5" floppy diskettes.

With the first disk, I got an error message that the disk was unreadable. I removed this disk. Restarted the computer.

Windows XP booted up normally.
I believe this is another example of "the ghost in the machine". The system should not have worked, but did.
I have no idea what I have done to accomplish this. Usually with the ghost, the machine is malfunctioning, but nobody can figure out why. In my case the machine was functioning, and I cannot figure out why. Obviously I am not a computer expert, but am glad that it appears I will not have to invest in another copy of the Windows XP os.
Is there a "knock-on-wood" icon??
I am interesting in hearing what the real computer experts have to say about this.How could this happen? There must be a simple explantion which I fail to realize.
Grats again for your input.

but a mystery, certainly!

Good work. I doubt anyone here will be able to say exactly what went wrong.

What can you do now to help prevent this in the future? Anti-virus and anti-malware scans, backup all of your personal files and data, and of course, have a plan for if it does happen again and you need to reinstall the OS.

Good luck.

Mark

Grats!!!

Actually, things are still wrong.
Shall continue, though.

I was over confident that my XP os started "normally". All seemed well at the time, but then again it had refused to boot in Windows XP peviously.
Next step was to join my home network with this computer. I purchased a usb 2.0 network adpter, but was unable to setup to connect to the internet through my known-to-be-functioning router. My netbook reqired no setup with this router.
I am not discouraged, as I know 'miracles' seldom happen. It appears my hd had recovered just enough to allow what appeared to be a normal bootup. Alas, I assumed too much.
Anyway, considering my previous posts on this thread, do you think the problem is still with my WIN XP OS? I believe this network adapter should have worked in this situation. Can I test this device on my PC (cable) or netbook computer by using the usb port? I wold like to eliminate this possibility before investing in Win XP again (I did not receive any OS disks with this Dell computer).
This Dell Dimension 5150 is obsolete, so I have found there is a dearth of information on the subject.
I still wish to rejuvenate this computer, if financially feasible.

I use a Live CD called UBUNTU.

No install, no cost, don't have to learn Linux.
Bob

I have found my Win XP os disk and am extremely sorry for previous mis-statement.
Reinstall and Install (different disks) failed.
Much info recorded. Should I start a new thread?

I must start a new thread, since I previously marked this thread as resolved.