Hi All: I purchased a Compaq 5000 Series 5BW250 Desktop almost six years ago, and it's been running fine until recently. The computer seemed to be slowing down, and I decided to have someone back up my files, wipe the hard drives, and re-install Windows ME. The problem was that the Recovery CD that came with the Compaq could've done that for me. The hard drive was partitioned into C and D, and from what I've read on other sites so far, the restore files were on the D Drive which was completely wiped. Now I don't have the files needed to perform a "Factory Restore" on my Compaq. Aside from the Recover CD, I don't have any other CDs that came with the computer. Where can I get the files that were on the D Drive that I need in order to perform that Factory Restore? Thanks in advance for any help offered. - Akukami

Go to HP's website and order another restore disk if the one you have is faulty. The files that were on your HDD are gone for good. As far as originally installed software that came with your PC. All that should be on the restore disk that you have as well as the necessary drivers. If your restore disk is no good. Then your best hope for factory hardware drivers and such is HP's website. Until your new recovery CD comes in.

Dave: From what I understood from other forums, the files that were on the D Drive were the files that the Recovery CD needed. I need those files, not another CD. But if you're telling me that I can order those files online from the site, then I'll look into it. Otherwise, I just need those files. Thanks for the info! - Akukami

I think you're right that the d: part files would be needed. This incident has sorta done you a favor. Get the drivers from HP and get a real OS; w98se will do. ===================================== If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

Mech: That's actually a good idea, but that's not what I asked for. I just want to know where to get the files I need, how much it will cost me, and how soon I can get it. I'm not planning on spending money to buy an older OS. Thanks for the input! - Akukami

You're gonna spend money for an OS anyway & WinME isn't all that much better than Win98SE...many will argue that it's worse. Neither one is supported by Microsoft anymore anyway. Besides, the HP/Compaq restore will include a bunch of garbage programs that only clutter your system & slow it down. Also, there is nothing wrong with your Recovery CD...it doesn't work because you deleted all the files it needs to restore WinME, so you're screwed in that respect. The fact that you're "Not Sure" what CPU/RAM you have isn't very reassuring. From Googling your model number, it would appear that you have a 700MHz Celeron w/64MB RAM. So unless you've done some upgrading, Win2000 or WinXP are NOT an option for you...Win98SE or WinME are your best bets. Win98 Second Edition

To All: Problem solved! I got lucky I ran into a friend of mine from high school, and he just so happened to have the same exact Compaq model computer with the files I needed. I copied them to an external hard drive and loaded them onto my own computer, and there, just like new again! - Akukami