i got my pc from a shop that already has a operating system in it. now i need to format but don't have a disc, tried to use my mums disc as she doesn't use it and key but my pc tells me that it is older than the one i have... it wont work... how can i reformat and can i do it bios? if so how do i do that? Siswa

If you reformat the hard drive how are you going to re-install an Operating system without a Legal Copy/CD ?? You need to go into BIOS and set the CD/Optical drive as First Boot Device to boot any bootable CD !!

not sure if i'm right or not, but if mum doesn't use that disc, (she is using vista) shouldn't i be able to use it untill i get one? Siswa

Wll that depends on the version of XP and wether or not you have a Valid unused unregistered key: XP Home Retail XP Home Upgrade XP Pro Retail XP Pro Upgrade XP Home or Pro OEM XP Restore Disk etcetcetc

If the version was originally installed on you mothers computer and is not an OEM version you should be able to install it on your computer. You will have to telephone Microsoft to get a new activation key. If it is an OEM version then you wont be able to activate it and it will stop working after 30 days. Stuart

Siswa, What Operating system you have on your PC that you want to replace? Is it WinNT or WinME? You may be able to buy XP Upgrade for $99 (~60euro). This will give oyu peace of mind of ranting and grunting bad MS product. Do you mean you have 512MB and not 516MB? Since you have Pentium-III computer, it might be slow for XP's bloated SP3. I would rather convert into Ubuntu / Apache Server. Then use it to network all you home PCs through the server as Soft/hardware firewall. Your speed might be a bit slower 5% or so, but you have saved money on ever increasing price on firewall/antivirus/ antispyware/antirootkits. Then use only AVG antivirus on XP-based PC. This may be more secure config, that letting old computer installed with XP-SP3. Just a thought!

ok im running xp pro retail now and the dics i have is the same type. i need to know step by step how to reformat and install from bios. Can anyone help me! Siswa