Help, either find the problem or help me format.

[Battalion23]

Hey.
Didn't install anything new, didn't change anything I can think of , but now, instead of a minute boot time (acer tm-8204) , I have a 5 minute waiting period, and even the windows starup sound sounds interrupted... the performance grid starts at 50%... for some reason... I start closing the less needed and high mem using processes until sometime it just returns to normal. Uninstalled stuff I added in the last month. ran check disk, ran defrag... ran registry fix... wanted to run system restore but for some reason I don't have any restore points... wierd.
anyway, if anyone has a guess on this...

In case I won't find the problem, I think it's time for a format. my win is OEM , I have no idea what my product serial key is... and I need to know how to format the hard drive, and then install win again... if you know a good guide ( I think I need to create some kind of recovery cd... I remember one time I searched for it)...
that's it.
appreciate any bit of help you can offer.

 

[xgsound]

Malware could certainly cause this. To check for this run your anti-virus and Superantispyware free from http://forums.superantispyware.com/ in safe mode after you have updated both.

If you don't have an anti-virus get one of the free (AVG, Avast, or Antivir) ones, get the updates and run in safe mode.

If this fixes some or all problems you'll have a better idea how to proceed and know what caused your symptoms.


Jim

 

[Battalion23]

Nope.
Updated everything, ran safe mode, and scanned everything. sure , it found lots of problems... but after fixing it , the situation stays the same. one core is running at almost 50%... and everything is way too slow.
I have an OEM version of XP, and I need to format the computer, reinstall XP, without losing my license ...
know any good guide? I've been looking for one, and all I found on recovery console is small details that won't help much...
I have an old OEM CD somewhere, but like I said, I have no idea what my Serial is... and I think that even if I find it out... I'm not sure it'll work again (maybe I need to cancel the current one before reactivating it? dunno...).

 

[Trashman]

To restore laptop to factory, try reading this-------->Recovery

If you all you want to know is product key you could try using Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder, just google it.

 

[xgsound]

Did you try the recovery suggested by Battalion23, or are you going to try fixing the existing problems?


Jim