Help..lost my XP home edition cd?

cheghead

Computer crashed and need to re-install OS. Looked everywhere but can't find the cd. The product key sticker is on the back of PC. Will I have to buy a new disk or could I use a friends cd and use my code?

loates123

yes use a freinds disk and your code, get a back up copy of them

freeonline

cheghead wrote:

Computer crashed and need to re-install OS. Looked everywhere but can't find the cd. The product key sticker is on the back of PC. Will I have to buy a new disk or could I use a friends cd and use my code?

I don't think you can do it.
Each product/code is unique.
Find your CD or contact Microsoft support for help/advice.
If it's possible investigate the problem and possible repair first.

Mr_Skint_2

Nah you wont be able to do that as the PC is serialled to the disc
if you do you will have to register someone elses copy of XP on your PC
and thats a bit of a no-no.

And anyway a OEM OS can have different drivers on than that of your machine
and it in all probabillity wont be able to point to the restore partition...

Browntoa

you may not have the Windows disk, you may have a recovery disk (maybe a floppy disk) that will restore Windows from a hidden partition on the hard disk

can you get into safe mode ??

Mr_Skint_2

Browntoa wrote:

you may not have the Windows disk, you may have a recovery disk (maybe a floppy disk) that will restore Windows from a hidden partition on the hard disk

can you get into safe mode ??

If its a Dell isnt it F12 on start up or summet?

Browntoa

think so....why do they change it ????

looked at a Tiny PC for someone...they seemed to have removed it totally !!! no wonder they went bust !

Mr_Skint_2

Browntoa wrote:

think so....why do they change it ????

looked at a Tiny PC for someone...they seemed to have removed it totally !!! no wonder they went bust !

Tiny by name Tiny by nature, Ok lack of cash then.....

wacko911

Just use someone else's copy of XP, and use the serial key from the sticker attachted to the PC. This is 100% legal. Is the key that is unique not the CD. If you 'friend' has an non OEM copy then your key will not work, find another friend with and OEM disc, or just download XP from the web and it would still be legal if you use the KEY supplied on the sticker attched to your PC, as this is in fact the licence.

Mr_Skint_2

wacko911 wrote:

Just use someone else's copy of XP, and use the serial key from the sticker attachted to the PC. This is 100% legal. Is the key that is unique not the CD. If you 'friend' has an non OEM copy then your key will not work, find another friend with and OEM disc, or just download XP from the web and it would still be legal if you use the KEY supplied on the sticker attched to your PC, as this is in fact the licence.

That wont work as the PC Serial in intertwined with the OEM serial as
sometimes you may find, as I did on more than one occasion and its
a phonecall to MS for help im afraid....

-TangleFoot-

Strictly speaking, Product Keys for Windows XP issued to Original Equipment Manufacturers for use on the systems that they sell are not tied to specific physical media. Instead, their use is limited to those systems with which they were supplied via Microsoft's Product Activation system.

I've reinstalled Windows XP on a Dell PC - with its own Product Key - using a slipstreamed installation disc of my own instead of the one originally supplied (lost, but later found) without mishap. Did wipe out the recovery partition, but on the bright side this did mean more free space.