System Restore[XP] Questions

[OkitaMakoto]

Hey all, it's been maybe 4 years since I got my computer and I have never reformatted it. I have tons of useless programs taking up useless space and I can notice it running a lot slower than it used to. Im also hoping it will improve gaming performance as well.

BUT, I have a question or two. I found two DVDs that I assume I need. But I dont know which one to use.. or both.

One is called Applications, Drivers, and Operating System RESTORE DVD
It says use this to reinstall hardware drivers, selected applications, and your operating system

The second is called System Recovery CD/DVD
And simply says use this disc to reinstall your operating system

Any idea if these are the exact same DVD just maybe a different printing? I had one of them mailed to me late as I was missing the disc upon receiving my computer[it was a floor display model so it was missing some discs, etc]

Im sure Id be fine just using one of them... and if a problem arose, I could swap out discs... but Id rather ask first and NOT F*ck up

I already backed up pr_edit and maps and such... I'm ready to reformat


p.s. On the right side of the discs, they both have the same instructions printed:
To reinstall the operating system, programs, and drivers:
Insert this DVD. close all programs, etc.

Which makes me pretty sure they are the same DVD... anyone think otherwise?

[Dunehunter]

Pff, just get the Windows 7 RC

[Mr.Hyde]

I'm going to assume the System Restore disk is a repair disk used to fix any major boot up problems. It would help to know if the XP came OEM or if you 'Acquired' it somewhere else.

If you got it with the computer, go to the manufacturers website and look under support.

Otherwise, just try one, then the other. If you're going to format your drive it shouldn't matter one way or the other. Just make sure to scour over every inch of that computer. After four years I'm sure theres a file or program that you still want but haven't touched in a while.


P.S Good job on keeping 4 yr old disks

[VoXiNaTiOn]

The system restore disc is what you will need to use to re-install your XP and should be the one you boot from.

The other disc is drivers, the software that makes the hardware work properly, install these after you have installed your OS.




Hope that helps.


EDIT: Just notices the drivers disc also says about re-installing your OS, but I'd use the other disc to do that as that is solely what is on it and should be bootable (You may need to change boot priority in the BIOS, but I'll walk you through that if you need to) if you pop the disc in and restart you computer and it loads from the disc and lets you re-install, you wont need to touch your BIOS.

[OkitaMakoto]

Roger

yeah its a legit copy
i have the sticker with the keycode on the back of my PC

Cheers,
ill do what you said and reformat with the one and then do the drivers with the other

come to think of it, I think thats what I did 4 years ago when I formatted it the first time[to get rid of anything they messed with as it was a display model

Cheers, if Im not back in 24 hours... send a search party... and a new computer

[VoXiNaTiOn]

Lol, ok.

It shouldn't be too risky, not as bad as a BIOS Flash, mess that one up and wave good bye to your motherboard.

[OkitaMakoto]

Yatta!~

I have now reformatted and installed drivers for my graphics card and sound card, along with gotten the net working[firefox] and xfire!

Now I just have to reinstall BF2...PR...ArmA...ArmAII...Steam...All the games I want on Steam...Sony Vegas, etc. Gonna try to keep it light this time.

It's so responsive!

[SocketMan]

You could put the disks in and see if the disk labels (names) are the same.

[OkitaMakoto]

You could put the disks in and see if the disk labels (names) are the same.

Im already done. I think theyre the same, not sure, but everythings working fine...

cheers