is my pc just fried?

[Ziggy]

I don't have any boot disks or anything...

Call up Dell or go on their website. All you need is a number from a sticker on your laptop. Express Service Code, I think that's what its called.

In most cases, they will mail you your XP reinstall disc along with some driver discs for free. The most you'd have to pay is $15. Or, any Dell XP disc should work for you. They way it works, the Dell XP disc recognizes a code in the computer's motherboard that tells it its a Dell, so for the consumers benefit of ease, you don't have to enter in a CD Key code. The XP install assumes its a legit copy because most Dell computers have the same code.

I usually never reach 2 years on a single operating system install. I do a lot of stuff, granted, but there's nothing like a fresh install.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

@ the OP - it's a Dell, ugh. Dell is supposed to give you all the disks with that preloaded stuff on it. The Windows disk should be black and say "system restore disk" on it.

Exactly what I thought but seeing as the O.P. probably doesn't know the difference between a disc and a disk I'm not sure we can even help him if he's not willing to format and reinstall.

I've kept a Windows system running for years without issue. Some people are just computer illiterate and fuck them up within within months of using them.

I really wish people had to take a test to use computers. You wouldn't let somebody drive a car without knowing what they are supposed to do. They will fuck it up pretty bad if left to their own devices (and i'm not even talking about driving on public roads here either). It's the same with computers if somebody really doesn't know what they are doing they are going to damage it, either physically or in software. It's not a question of IF.

Ah well, guess if morons didn't use PCs then computer repair guys would be out of a job.

Plus I can't earn extra drinking money from complete idiots who break their PC trying to download teh pr0n/war3z.

I agree with you on that. I cant stand computer illerterate people. Although it has started several lasting friendships.

[ubelaffe]

sorry for using the wrong term. I didn't get ANY discs whatsoever. I'm not totally illiterate, but having taken care of it and all previous machines, I've never really HAD to reinstall.

Thanks to those who were constructive and weren't complaining about how the L33t H@xx had to deal with peons that aren't used to computer problems of this magnitude.