Bringing My XP back from the dead

MonkeyKong007

i recently parted company with a broken hard drive of mine... unfortunately on it, was installed my xp and i was given no CD when i bought it just a stupid reload one which now no longer works....

is there anyway i can get back my version of windows xp... i stil have the product ID its no annoying! and im using exactly the same pc bar the hard drive!

could i for instance change the product key (of the existing xp im am using which is my mates and is expiring in 29 days) using some software and see if microsoft would then activate it?

any ideas?

machofairy

Why not just use your mate's XP cd to make a fresh installation, but use your existing SN?

lellie

presumably you had XP home.. XP home is designed to not be reinstalled fresh as it's sold with the computer which technically means "with the hard drive" for some stupid reason..

but yeah try your mate's copy and try your serial although if it's a home serial I doubt it would work with a professional copy..

SONIC_2

You just need to borrow someone elses CD with the EXACT same operating system. An XP home key will only work with XP home no other version.

In borrowing someone elses CD you are not breaking the law as you rightfully own a copy of the software, and have your own serial number to prove it. (I presume that the small XP sticker is still stuck to your PC). That is your licence.

Copies of standard XP home cd's are available, I'm sure you can contact Microsoft to order one if you want to be really safe.

Once you get your hands on a copy of the original CD, reinstall, and copy the CD. I'm sure I have read somewhere that taking a copy of a master CD for software you rightfully have a licence for is not illigal, as long as you only install one copy of the software, and the backup CD is for your personal use only.

Hope this helps.

MonkeyKong007

cheers guys, im so dumb!

i was gonna go and buy another copy!

Indy

Careful about the copying bit since sometimes not all of the files get copied on

Lindburgh

try Lindburgh@beeb.net he will have an answer