This won't really be a tech help question but I've search most other sites, so I thought I'd pose the question here due to the size of the audience. Due to emailing some files to my personal email account (POP3) from work that had screen shots containing some protected information (didn't notice it at the time), I had to do a complete erasure/wipe of my hard drive. But now I can't find my original installation disks. A lot of people have tried to talk me into XP but I liked ME and it worked well for me on my HP laptop and would like to know if anyone has original installation disks for a HP N5000 series laptop that they're not using, nor plan on using and would sell, or can suggest a legitimate sourse (HP is no help on this one) so I can get my system back up and running it would be appreciated. Thanks, Chuck

Why did you completely wipe the HDD instead of just deleting the files? Good luck finding WinME. Maybe eBay? http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Windo... Here's a link to the drivers...you're gonna need it: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...

Thanks for your reply, but deleting the files would not have removed them sufficiently from the HD per Company security policies, so a complete wipe it had to be. I found several copies of WinME on eBay but what I was really looking for was original HP installation/application disks with the OS.

There are applications that allow files to be 'securely' deleted by overwriting repeatedly - - for future reference, since you've already thrown out the baby with the bathwater. At the very least, having the required disks on hand & in working condition should have been the first step -- it's a constant source of wonder how so many folks can't manage to hang onto such a crucial item You may have to 'settle' for a proper installation disc, and install the drivers on your own. Censorship is the tool of those who have the need to hide actualities from themselves and others. Their fear is only their inability to face what is real.

Thanks jboy, the salt in the wound was helpful. Multiple moves and house cleanings, computers not being my life, contributed to not being able to find the disks redily. I agree that it would have been prudent to have the disks in hand before the wipe but the wipe was more important at the time and resurection of the computer was secondary.