I have a laptop I want to sell, and I want to do a clean install of Windows XP and reinstall Office 2003.

1) How do I do a clean install? I’ve never done one before.

2) Would the product key for Office still work? I’m under the impression that if you use the key once it’s no longer any good. Am I incorrect?

3) I have the CDs for XP and Office, but they came from a different computer (this laptop had everything preinstalled and did not come with CDs). Does it matter if I’m using discs from another comp?

PS: All my software is legitimate.
If the XP disc is OEM, how would I go about the clean install of the OS?

i have 95 camry. i have a laptop can i download a software and plug it into the car’s computer and it will tell me the problem. or should i buy one of those portable diagnostic tools from autozone. i dont want to take it to a mechanic because everytime i go they rip me off. last time it was a part that cost 10 bucks and they said it costed 200 and charged me 100 dollar labor fee.
so leann what tools do i need to diagnose the fuel pressure etc

I recently bought my first laptop used from a friend of mine who really tricked it out. He is very knowledgable but we use the computer for different things.The computer is so slow to load, and it is mostly due to our wireless internet service. I get it free so I’m not complaining. But I want to boost my performance with what is in my control.

My taskbar (down by the clock) shows 10 icons all the time. I have been told that this bogs up the computer. Trouble is, I don’t know what I need, and what I can shut off, perhaps even remove from the computer. I figured out how to hide them when they are inactive, but I’m not sure that hiding makes any difference in the processing speed if they are all working in the background. After I figure out which ones I want to come on automatically, and which to activate as needed myself, I would like to change the settings so they don’t keep coming back on and slowing things down. What should I do? Thanks for your help!
Southernbelle, you are my geek in shining armor. I appreciate your quick and thorough answer, I did what you said and things are much speedier. For the other techies in the house, I’m sure I will have other questions about the unchecks and reactivating certain ones. For now, however, the question is closed and southernbelle will get 10 well deserved points. Thanks again!
Southernbelle, you are my geek in shining armor. I appreciate your quick and thorough answer, I did what you said and things are much speedier. For the other techies in the house, I’m sure I will have other questions about the unchecks and reactivating certain ones. For now, however, the question is closed and southernbelle will get 10 well deserved points. Thanks again!

Hi, I’m helping a friend with his laptop. He had lots of weird stuff happening and his wife and kid both use the laptop as well. So we have a limited idea of how any problems occurred.
We want to do a reinstall of windows xp but I am concerned because there is a partition on the computer that he says wasn’t there originally. I don’t remember it and I cleaned it up for him last year.
How can I completely wipe the laptop and reinstall xp but eliminate the partition as well?