Ok this is basically my current situation. I keep getting bombarded by crap so i thought ill format ( after my attempts to get the crap out didnt quite go to plan) but i had windows 2000 but upgraded to xp. this is where my problem comes in.....ive lost my 2000 key and i tried the keyfinder magic jelly bean but it only brings up my current operating system..xp....any ideas any one????? im trying to find another key to replace mine but with microsoft having a hissy fit with illegal discs and crap i dont know how to fix it. thanks for any help it would be much appreciated.

Worst comes to worst and you can't find your original key, check microsoft's web site. There should be a phone number there you can use to call them and get a replacement key code.

Does Dell place a sticker inside the case with that info on it?

Thanks guys for your responses. I'll answer all your questions to start with. I bought my laptop from a company that rebuilds them and they send software to you but they sent me everything but the codes. They dont put stickers in, on or around it so hat was no help. Once again thanks everyone for help and I found this cool software called xoftspy that helps with spyware and the rest of te crap that bombards you. If anyone has any ideas to prevent spy ware and crap getting into your pc in the first place please reply cause I am so over this. Thanks again everyone! You guys rock!

You didn't say it was a laptop. AdawareSE and Spybot Search and Destroy are the Defacto Standards around here and they are free. As far as the key for your OS, why not contact the company you bought it from?

Hi Katee,

For crap control:

ZoneAlarm
FireFox
OnTrack FixIt utilities

HTH

We will rock you

M2

Thanks for your help once again. Wow. Urm I didnt realize it being a laptop would make the advice different as i was coming more across a broader topic...if u upgrade your system and then have to reformat but have lost the key can you retieve it off the harddrive or out of the os. but thanks guys. I have zonealarm and fire fox but i havent heard of the other? if I do what you have am i garunteed not to get the spyware and trojans and what nots from getting in? they still managed to get through what i have and stop me having to format. Although i know formatting is bad i have only just figured out how to fix the problems without formatting and that is cause i was tired of that being the solution. if you know what i mean cause of putting all the programs back in. but thanks guys you are the greatest. i will try to find the third suggestion to prevent crap. urm someone mentioned ringig the company they have this on delivery warranty once delivered no more warranty which sucks. but they said its my problem and go pay someone to fix it...i aint paying someone...ill fix it myself...by formatting...lol. but im over that so once again guys thanks you have been great help.

Hi Katee

Did you get past the key issue?

I'm with you on not formatting often because it's such a hassle to set evrything up.

What I recommend is to set up the OS, in your case and mine w2k, then make an image of the drive.

Afetr adding your basic apps, make another image. etc

That way if it all goes South, you acn put it back quicly and easily.

HTH

M2

Yes i did fix it. Someone helped me put with a key. Thank you so much. Is imaging the same as a backup? Does it take up alot of space? My dirve is only 20 gig so it aint big enough to make backups for some reason. What type of program do ypu require to do that? Or is it in the os of w2k? I actually prefer xp tp w2k but im looking at maybe going linux as microsoft is starting to slide. But is anyone aware of how to change a system from windows to linux? Lol Im sorry i mentioned this in this message but right now im having problems with the comp and it started from the reformatting issue and i need help fixing it. i have adsl and a laptop as most of you know but the net isnt working very well. it keeps diconnnecting which is driving me nuts. but you would think it would be regular on off pattern but its completely irregular. it took me forever to get on here to post this. sometimes i wish there was a box of new laptops every time this one screwd up waiting for me in my closet. but thanks for your help. im trying to figure stuff like this out myself with trial and error but sometime it doesnt work cause i have no idea what im doing. lol but thanks guys ur awesome.

Hi Katee,

A 'backup' as the word is generally used, means to save selected data. Usually it's saved in a compressed format.

'Image' as I use it to mean is a snaopshot of the whole drive. I use ProQuest Drive Image. Many foks use Norton Ghost. There must be at least half a dozen others, equally goo.

The key difference between a backup and an inage is that restoring from image out EVERYTHING back like it was x days earlier, which is just what you need in case of corrupted disc structure, serious infection, drivers gone missing or other incident which renders your OS and apps unusable.

Probably the recent hot-shot utilities [Norton] blur the distinction between backup and image. They can do incremental backup, registry backup, recue disks and other assorted butt-savers.

Don't know what to advise about goofy unreliable connection. Any more details?

M2

Thanks for the explanition it really helped distuinguish the two. I will look into finding a program that does it. Do you have any in mind that are free and user friendly? My adsl connection is pyscho but i found someone else with a similar problem on your page and im just waiting to see what you will tell him but here is my info in case you cna help me. I have xp because i was told that w2k is crap and now im trying to change to linux cause windows is crap...so my problem might be xp related but im not sure. my internet provider said its my end and im not sure what is wrong...what sort of details do you need regarding this?

Laptop
dell
pentium 2 proceesor
250mb ram
20 gig hd
xp os
adsl internet con.
zonealarm sec. suite
avg
firefox

Lol i dont know what you need so im just summing up the system and its internet crap. Myabe a few other ppl have contacted you regarding xp and 24 7 internet connection. I am only aware of one person so far contacting you regarding this issue. Maybe i should post this in the xp section lol. But thanks guys short of giving you my hard drive i dotn how to fix the simple problems that seem to plaging my drive. and i have a program that keeps trying acess the internet i dont know if your aware of it but it is called iinstall.exe and another called istsvc.exe actually i have a few...damn i cant get rid of spyware. ok now im aggy i have formatted and protected the comp and they still get in. im am so over this. right im gonna have to format again...i cant fix it. bugger. thanks guys for your help but im thinking bout formatting then going linux. not sure though. what is the best os out there? But thanks again. you are awesome .

Hi Katee,

Basics first.

I don't want to add to the confusion. You don't need one person telling you A and another B.

I favor w2k over XP for many reasons.

But with a Pentium II, XP is DOA.

Unfortunately, w2k may be a bit of a heavy load.

If it was mine, I'd put on w98se.

If you're seriously going toward linux, no point in changing windows versions.

M2