Where can I obtain a CD-ROM Boot disc for XP?

[DLC1]

I have a COMPAC Presario SR1620NX that  the hard drive (C: & D got completely erased (including the partitioning).  All it now does is come up with a blank screen with the cursor displayed in the upper left corner. I am unable to enter the setup or bios screens (F1, F10, or escape etc). I suspect that the boot  programs are no longer present. Where can I obtain  a boot disk for this machine so I can use it again. It DOES NOT have a floppy drive. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You can call HP at one of these phone numbers to see if they still have recovery disks for your PC:

800-474-6836 or 888-999-4747.

If HP no longer has them, you can get them from this 3rd party vendor for $27 + shipping.

http://www.computersurgeons.com/productdetails.aspx?ID=502

You should be able to enter the BIOS by using the F10 key even if you didn't have a hard drive installed.

I recommend you rule out a major (motherboard) issue before throwing good money after bad.

Paul

[DLC1]

Thanks for the reply but as I stated in my original query, I CANNOT enter BIOS. I am not looking for a recovery disk set. What I need is a CD-ROM boot disk for XP Home edition.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Would you be so kind as to explain to me what a CD-Rom Boot disk for XP is?

Are you referring to an XP OEM installation disk?

There are no such things for HP desktop PC's. There is only a bootable factory recovery image disk set of the operating system and bundled programs installed on HP desktop PC's, which is why I suggested a recovery disk set.

The first disk of the recovery disk set is bootable.

The only PC's I know of that come with an OS only installation disk is Dell.

If you can get a Dell XP Home installation disk, that would also work on your PC, but you would need to change the product key and enter the one from the MS COA sticker on your PC.

Paul

[lasvegaswireman]

If you can not enter your BIOS, you will not be able to boot the machine and any disc you request will be of no use. If you are looking to restore and/or recover the C and D partitions, the HP Recovery Disc set that Paul has suggested is what you need.

Frank

[DLC1]

Paul forgive me for not getting back to you sooner. Have been busy on other things. In answer to your question; I was looking on the net and ran across statements that refered to a CD -ROM boot disc and said not a recovery disc.  I have since searched the net and cannot find the article. I did however find a supplier for the recovery disc set for my XP machine at a very reasonable cost. It is from Computer Surgeons. I have since used it to recover  the XP to factory condition.  Thanks for your info and patience.  Dave

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Dave:

That is great news, and that was the link I referred you to above (computer surgeons), so I hope you didn't look too long for it on your own. 

Best Regards,

Paul