My works laptop has decided to die on me. I get the message "Error loading operating system" on startup. I have recovered all my data using Knoppix linux based OS and now want to do a fresh XP install.

What is the best way to do a clean install?

I do not have the drivers disc for the laptop, can I back these up with knoppix prior to the fresh install? Where will they be and what file ext. am I looking for.

HELP PLEASE.

 

http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/installxp/installXP1.htm

the above could be useful for re building your machine, what make of laptop is it? you should be able to get all the drivers from the support pages on the manufacturer website

some laptops have the drives on the disk, some provide a cd with them all, varies from make to make

 

Thanks Mike.

The Laptop is a Tiny MSI Powerlite Megabook 3.4, bought in 2004. I know they are now out of business and do not have the best reputation. However, the machine is decent spec. P4 3.2mhZ, 1gig RAM, 80gig HD, ATI Radeon 9700 graphics, DVD RW drive etc. and IMHO worth trying to save. I did not get the TINY recover disc with the machine which I assume would have had drivers on it. I have tried purchasing a restore disc (T-REX) on the net but it won't detect the HD.