It really depends on the manufacturer of the computer. Some provide a "recovery" partition while others provide a CD/DVD recovery option. Some offer both!

If there is a recovery partition the option is usually presented to the user during the boot process before the OS loads.

If the computer isn't too old the manufacturer will usually sell you the recovery CD/DVD for a nominal fee.

[quote="maurylen":3lt8c7q1]these were new machines bought from major home appliance retailers in New Zealand (Harvey Norman & Bond & Bond) and they don't offer an installation disk - my query is "are there files on the hard drive left when the O S is installed?" so that they can be re-used to re- start XP in the event of problems that may require a re-install[/quote:3lt8c7q1]

Hi Maurylen - No, there are no such files left on the hard drive which can be used to restart XP or re-install. Generally, if the manufacturer does not supply any installation CD for repair or re-install they will include other options.

The most common is what is known as a 'Restore' or 'Recovery' function which, when initiated, will restore the computer back to factory settings, i.e. just the way it was on the very first day it was purchased. The presence of this feature will usually be reflected by an additional entry under "My Computer", where you will see the main drive (nearly always 'C') and a secondary partition (or drive) which may be labeled 'D'. If that is the case; the 'D' drive (or whatever letter is allocated) is the recovery partition and it will be much smaller than the main drive and generally almost full (virtually zero free space). This restore to factory settings feature can be accessed only when the computer is loading BIOS, by pressing a specified key....usually one of the 'F' keys (e.g. F10). A message will usually be displayed on the screen during BIOS which lets you know which key to press...something like "For Recovery, Press F10".....or whichever key is applicable.

The second, not so attractive option, is via software included by the manufacturer which enables the user to prepare a number of recovery CD's. That option, if present, should be available in 'All Programs' where it will often be listed under the manufacturer's brand name.
For example: On my Wife's H.P. machine this feature is listed in and accessible from [b:3lt8c7q1]All ProgramsPC Help and ToolsHP Recovery disc creation[/b:3lt8c7q1].

it would help if we knew the brand names and model numbers of the machines in question. If you can give us that information we may be able to exactly identify which process is applicable and how it would be accessed.

HTH
Cheers....Jim

No probs Maurylen....us people in upsidedownland gotta look out for one another!!

Glad I could help,
Jim.