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Thread ID: 108679 2010-04-07 02:53:00 format and reinstall pc? nerd (109) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
873891 2010-04-08 08:37:00 sorry for not updating this for a while. i found the cds that came with the computer today. theres nero and some dvd thing but no windows cd. it only comes with some xp book thing wih a code on the front which i would assume is the serial. its not a great computer, oyu could get a better one for ~ $300 or maybe less but i just dont wanna throw it out if it can still be used for basic things. i think it does have a hidden partition because its supposed to be a 40gb hdd but i only have like 30 available (dont worry the one im currently using has 500gb). how would i go by formatting and reinstalling windows from the recovery partition with only a serial key?

ill give puppy a try after dinner
nerd (109)
873892 2010-04-08 08:40:00 If its got a recovery partition, I dont think it needs a key. If you can still get into windows (if you haven't formatted it yet), Show system / hidden files and see if the partition is there. If it is see if theres a program in the menu to create the restore cd's / dvd's. If there is, get some blanks and burn them Speedy Gonzales (78)
873893 2010-04-08 08:57:00 The PC may only require the right key press to boot off the recovery partition when starting.

How about answering the question I posed in post number 4. Turning on hidden and system files will not let you see a recovery ( hidden ) partition in Windows.
Sweep (90)
873894 2010-04-08 09:05:00 oh make and model, sorry
its a packard bell (i hadnt heard of it either ;) )
iMedia M213
but i cant find it on the packard bell site either.
nerd (109)
873895 2010-04-08 09:12:00 What's actually wrong with it that requires a re-install? Driftwood (5551)
873896 2010-04-08 09:21:00 When booting, isn't there an F key (might be F10) that gives a booting menu including a gateway to enter the hidden partition? Bryan (147)
873897 2010-04-08 09:27:00 its drivers dont work and the startup takes such a long time now. i think the drivers is the main reason though, i cant add any new usb drives to it. only an old 256 mb, my phone 1gb, my mums 1gb and my old 2gb. externals and stuff dont work on it. nerd (109)
873898 2010-04-08 09:28:00 Handbook here that will help:-

ftp://ftp.packardbell.com/pub/itemnr/6960870101/6960870101.pdf
Sweep (90)
873899 2010-04-08 09:46:00 thanks sweep seems easy enough. by remove any additional hardware components does it mean the ram i added or not? nerd (109)
873900 2010-04-08 09:54:00 Don't remove the RAM. Sweep (90)
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