need to format my hardrive but dont have the OS disks.

[ourorboros]

basically im passing my old computer to my mother and so i'd prefer to have it wiped clean but after a recent move i cant find disk with the OS, tried googling for the answer and apparently i just cant but im wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

[bchampion96]

basically im passing my old computer to my mother and so i'd prefer to have it wiped clean but after a recent move i cant find disk with the OS, tried googling for the answer and apparently i just cant but im wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

 

If you can find the product key on the computer (or using a program to get it) you can safely wipe the hard drive and use a bootable usb stick to do it.

[TheSLSAMG]

What OS?

[Vitalius]

basically im passing my old computer to my mother and so i'd prefer to have it wiped clean but after a recent move i cant find disk with the OS, tried googling for the answer and apparently i just cant but im wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

If it's Windows, press Windows Key + E then click System Properties in the top of the window. Your product key will be at the bottom of that page.

Write it down, download a copy of the same version of windows, burn it to a CD/DVD, or copy the files to a USB Flash Drive then install as normal and use your key.

While Microsoft doesn't support such a thing, I completely doubt it will be a problem so long as you have the product key.

Good luck.

[TechSage]

Go to a family member, and "borrow" their laptop with windows 7, and use their key :P 

[ourorboros]

thank you all for the help, the issue has now been resolved!

[stevv]

basically im passing my old computer to my mother and so i'd prefer to have it wiped clean but after a recent move i cant find disk with the OS, tried googling for the answer and apparently i just cant but im wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

I use this to find the key:  http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

 

depending on what version of windows, you can get directly from MS.

 

If it's Windows, press Windows Key + E then click System Properties in the top of the window. Your product key will be at the bottom of that page.

Write it down, download a copy of the same version of windows, burn it to a CD/DVD, or copy the files to a USB Flash Drive then install as normal and use your key.

While Microsoft doesn't support such a thing, I completely doubt it will be a problem so long as you have the product key.

Good luck.

That's the product ID.  Not the key, so won't work.