Hi, I'm getting ready to do a clean install of XP for my dad's PC and he's adamant that he doesn't have any CDs that came with it. I'm wondering if there's any other way of backing up important drivers before this sort of thing? I don't really want to do a clean install of XP and then struggle to find out what the hardware inside it is to find the drivers online Thanks

I'm not sure if this will work. Double Driver will scan the pc & backup all the drivers. http://www.majorgeeks.com/Double_Dr... It will also do a restore. I hope it helps. You could try the pc manufacturers website, that might have them to download.

Most newer brand name computer systems do not come with any Recovery CD (maybe one) or a Windows CD. You are supposed to make your own Recovery CD set while the computer is running well. If it is a brand name computer system, there is a builder provided utility in Programs somewhere with which you can make a set of Recovery CDs for the system. If Windows is trashed and you can't do that, you have two choices if you want to re-install the original software. - some brand name system builders have a download available that will allow you to make a single Recovery CD that can access the recovery partition on the hard drive - or you may have gotten one Recovery CD with the system - if the recovery partition that is always on brand name system hard drives is intact and undamaged, you can use that CD to restore all the original software to your C drive. - if the recovery partition is damaged, or if that kind of a CD is not available, or if you wiped the whole hard drive rather than just C:, or if you need to replace the hard drive with another one, you can order a relatively inexpensive Recovery CD set from the web site of the brand name system builder and it will be delivered to you in a short time.

Determine what your hardware is in advance. The software route (i.e. Everest) may be sufficient, but personally, I would open the box. Once you know what you have, you'll need to download XP compatible drivers for the video, sound, motherboard chipset, modem, LAN, etc. Then you can either burn them to a CD, copy to a thumbdrive, or place in a different partition. Why do you feel formatting & doing a fresh install is necessary?

Aah. I can't believe I didn't actually think of that! It's been a while since I've used a pre-built PC. They were all there, available on the Compaq website. Thanks!

It takes about 6 hours - to run the complete Recovery procedure, and to load the latest Microsoft Critical and Security updates afterwards. The installation automatically Activates Windows.

It shouldn't be a problem. I've got a copy of XP and the Compaq site has all the chipset and sound drivers etc. I'm just gonna go for a clean install that way. That way there won't be anything that's not wanted on it. Thanks again, guys