hey guys i have a gateway laptop it tell me the model is mx 3228 if that means anything. i want to restore it to the day i got it and i dont want to save any files. the problem is i dont have a disk and ive asked my friends but they dont either

 

You'll need to get a new OEM disk, or install a different operating system on it.

An OEM disk costs around $100, I think.

You cannot legally "borrow" a disk from a friend and install it. That is software piracy, and there are very hefty fines for doing such things.

 

well thats <snip> i dont even think this laptop cost 100 bucks anymore haha. there is no possible way to restore without a disk?

 

If you are running XP or higher version of Windows (Vista,7) then you should be able to run the System Restore application and select the very first restore point..... Some gateways and Dells have the Recovery Disks right on another partition of the Hard Drive, which should enable you to re-run the install....

Or if you have the original CD_Key that came with the system, just borrow someone's XP Disc (or whatever OS you have), reinstall windows, and use the existing CD Key that came with the system...... Just make sure you use a disc for the proper OS version (i.e. You can not use a XP Home cd key with an XP Pro disc, etc.)

B. Morse

 

You cannot legally "borrow" a disk from a friend and install it. That is software piracy, and there are very hefty fines for doing such things.

Actually You can, as long as you enter the original CD_key that came with the system (I am a Certified Microsoft OEM System Builder, so I know this is Legal, most companies such as Gateway would do a mass install from one disk and just supply each system with its own CD Key, that is why they do not give you a copy of the actual OS disc which they should since you paid for it!!.). You can not re use someone elses CD key, that would be pirating.


B. Morse

 

@ bmorse thanks a lot i have a thing that says recovery(D in my computer if that means anything. Im trying to do this without a disk

 

that stupid smiley face was supposed to be ( D : )

 

@ bmorse thanks a lot i have a thing that says recovery(D in my computer if that means anything. Im trying to do this without a disk

That would be the recover partition, when you first boot up the PC does it give you an option to press a key to start recovery?? For a Dell I believe you press F9, not sure for a gateway.....

Once you run this you will loose everything you have on the laptop, and it should be back to when it was first built... just don't alter the recovery partition, so you can run this again if needed in the future....

B. Morse

 

its f11 at startup for me but it tells me to enter a disk so am i pretty much screwed?

 

Is it asking for a disk to create a startup disk?? If so, you can just skip the startup disk (if you can,) and go right into restore....


B. Morse

 

Hello,

Are you restricted to Windows?
Do you want to try a linux version?
You could take a look at ubuntu or OpenSuse.
You can even download live versions of them to take a look how its looks like.

Bertus

PS I am using OpenSuse for over 5 years now.

 

i dont think so for the disk

 

have you approached gateway ... on their website ... for a recovery CD. I know when I approach dell about them for clients, they only charge $15

You are entitled to your recovery CDs, just look at gateway support.

 

thank you dell is actually a good comp unlike gateway (to hell) haha

 

I did a dell afew months ago and the instructions for the restore partition were online at Dell/model number/downloads.