I have a working xp (xp pro sp 3) machine. I want to reformat the hard drive and reload xp but have long ago lost the restore disc that came with the machine. I only run one piece of software on it. I have the discs for that software and can reinstall. The machine has been infected with malware that I can't kill.
The machine still works. But if I connect to the internet, I immediately receive ransomware notices which I ignore, but it is getting old. All attempts to get rid of the malware has been in vain.
Can I create a recovery disc that has just the windows xp operating system on it and then use that reinstall windows xp after I have formatted my hard drive. I don't want to copy anything from the computer except the windows xp operating system. Everything else, including old data can disappear and it won't matter.
I realize that there is some risk that the malware will persist. I'm willing to risk that. I'll be no worse off than I am now.
I have the original product key. I had found a 'reload windows xp without a cd' tutorial on the web but it did not work.
I'd buy a legal copy of xp if I could find one. I'm told that is unlikely to find a legal copy any more.
The machine still works. But if I connect to the internet, I immediately receive ransomware notices which I ignore, but it is getting old. All attempts to get rid of the malware has been in vain.
Can I create a recovery disc that has just the windows xp operating system on it and then use that reinstall windows xp after I have formatted my hard drive. I don't want to copy anything from the computer except the windows xp operating system. Everything else, including old data can disappear and it won't matter.
I realize that there is some risk that the malware will persist. I'm willing to risk that. I'll be no worse off than I am now.
I have the original product key. I had found a 'reload windows xp without a cd' tutorial on the web but it did not work.
I'd buy a legal copy of xp if I could find one. I'm told that is unlikely to find a legal copy any more.
