Lost Windows XP PRO Operating System Discs

Heidy_2

I have Lost Windows XP PRO Operating System Discs and StartUp Disc etc it looks like I will need to do that terrible job of the C FOrmat and reinstallation
of Windows Operating System.

My PC is a Dell purchased January 2003 where can I get Window XP Professional or Windows XP from

or is it worth trying Linux? etc are there Pirate copies to be wary off?
on Ebay etc?

Obviously I will need to look at my Backing Up Options again is there a Piggy back Hard Driuve you can get whats the easy best option here to stop ones operating system been destroyed by Viruses Trojans and Spyware

Thanks,

Heidy

Red_Rose_Exile

Avoid Ebay like the plague. Your chances of getting a cracked copy are high

As it is a dell you should have a second partition on your hard drive which will have the Dell Restore system back up on it, but it is usually hidden from the user.

Have a read of this page, Making a CD for XP, 2000 and NT

Is Linux worth a try? Of course it is but, to be honest, it's quite a steep learning curve for most.

Why do you think you think you need to format?

Little_John

Just borrow a windows XP cd off someone and use it to install from that you have a licence and key make sure you use that and you will be fine. if activation doenst work online phone microsoft and use the telephone method of activation.

Browntoa

back up ALL your Windows Drivers to CD , Saves hunting them down after the re-install

BillScarab

Little_John wrote: »

Just borrow a windows XP cd off someone and use it to install from that you have a licence and key make sure you use that and you will be fine. if activation doenst work online phone microsoft and use the telephone method of activation.

Make sure you get the same version, i.e if you're original disc was XP Pro SP1 then get the same disc and your license key should work fine.

kltpzyxm

Heidy,
you can buy one off ebay that will be OK.
What you need is a DELL XP Pro re-installation disk, which you can use to install XP Pro on any DELL laptop (or PC). The disks that I've used do not even ask for a product key during installation, as long as it's on DELL hardware. I use these disks all the time as the company I work for uses only DELL laptops and servers.
Here is one I found on ebay for £10 buy-it-now.. Distributors can sell these disks to system builders as long as they are bundled with a pc component, which in the case of this ebay auction is a DELL drive rail. It is quite legitimate to use these disks to rebuild your PC as long as you have a genuine COA on the PC

HTH