Ok, I have a Compaq laptop computer. The laptop came with ME and a recovery CD which I used to restore factory settings when the computer froze. A few months ago I did a fresh install of XP with an upgrade cd instead of just upgrading. I am having a lot of problems now, and I want to restore the original factory settings (Windows ME and all , like new) and then upgrade from there to XP. How do I do that. When I insert the recovery cd, it wont start like when I had ME. What can I do to go back to ME with the Factory settings using the recovery cd?? THanks.

please if u can do a fresh new and clean install of xp not a upgrade !

You mean the ME recovery CD won't start? If it's just a ME CD, ME CD's aren't bootable, unlike 98. Go to bootdisk.com and download a bootdisk (preferably, Win98) and then format your HD. If you're running NTFS, do a FDISK and delete all partitions (but make backups first!). Then type the CD letter and setup, and follow the instructions. Make sure you have your Product ID handy!! ME won't install w/out it! -Andrew

I believe this is correct. When you upgrade from ME to XP the compaq restore CD will no longer work. What you need to do now is buy an OEM or retail full install XP cd and start out fresh.

You should be able to boot from the XP cd and just insert the ME cd for authentication when XP asks for it for the upgrade. Please post back within 24 hours or I will delete the post from my follow up list. Thanks. It would be a courtesy if you would post back and let us know if the fix worked or not.

Per, It will not work. XP Upgrade will not recognize ME Restore CD as proof of having a valid OS CD. i_XpUser

Oh!! I would try it anyway, but then thats me. I guess all the info for the upgrade was on the phony partition. Please post back within 24 hours or I will delete the post from my follow up list. Thanks. It would be a courtesy if you would post back and let us know if the fix worked or not.