How to Create a Windows XP Recovery Without the CD

Computer operating systems are stored on the computer's hard drive. It is these operating systems that allow software applications such as Mac Word, Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1,2,3 to operate on a computer. Yet, sometimes due to a virus or system-related malfunction, computer operating systems do not perform accurately. This is when system recovery tools are assessed and used. Over the years, as the popularity of personal computers increased, technologists began to build in images that allowed hard drives to be restored or recovered without the use of external CDs. Steps to recover Microsoft Windows XP absent a CD are below.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Windows XP

Instructions

Back Up Files

1. Save all of your documents on removable disks that you can purchase from your local computer store for about $20 for 4 gigabytes. Purchase larger removable disks if you have a lot of large files stored on your personal computer. To save your documents to the removable disks, insert the removable disks in one of the blank drive slots at the back of your computer. Copy and paste your files onto the removable disks after the window pops up with the details of the removable disk.

2. Click "Start" then "Control Panel." Next click "System and Maintenance." Scroll down the screen until you see "Recovery Manager." If you are running a software security application on your computer such as Trend Micro Internet Security, you may have to click "Allow" on the security software pop-up screen to allow the Windows XP recovery manager to load.

3. Select "Advanced Options" to review all options available on the recovery manager. Decide whether you want to reinstall software programs that came with your computer, reinstall hard drivers that came with your computer or recover your computer to its original factory settings.

4. Select "Reinstall Software Programs" or "Reinstall Hard Drivers" that came with your computer to conduct a partial recovery on Windows XP without using external CDs. If this fixes the trouble you are experiencing with your personal computer, this completes the recovery process.

5. Select "Recover The Computer To Its Original Factory Condition" to recovery your computer's entire operating system to its original settings. Use this feature only after you have backed up all your documents onto removable disks, as this function will remove all documents you created after you purchased the computer.

6. Click "Start" then "Restart" to save the settings for your operating system recovery. Copy and paste your documents from the recovery disks back onto your hard drive.