Sadly, my windows installation has died, so I dug out the OEM Windows XP Pro
cd I bought when I built this PC (OK, its actually a laptop I upgraded
myself), and kept getting errors.

While taking the cd out of the drive, the damn thing fell into two halves.
No wonder it was giving errors.

My question is, is there anyway I can send the CD off to get a replacement,
since it is an original CD, even if it is OEM? Please don't say "contact the
maker of the PC", because *I* am the maker of the PC. I really can't afford
to dig out another £95 for another new OEM copy.

Sadly, I cannot phone microsoft either, I am deaf, and have difficulties
using telephones, so an email contact method is preferred.

Allan_manchester wrote:
> Sadly, my windows installation has died, so I dug out the OEM Windows XP Pro
> cd I bought when I built this PC (OK, its actually a laptop I upgraded
> myself), and kept getting errors.
>
> While taking the cd out of the drive, the damn thing fell into two halves.
> No wonder it was giving errors.
>
> My question is, is there anyway I can send the CD off to get a replacement,
> since it is an original CD, even if it is OEM? Please don't say "contact the
> maker of the PC", because *I* am the maker of the PC. I really can't afford
> to dig out another £95 for another new OEM copy.
>
> Sadly, I cannot phone microsoft either, I am deaf, and have difficulties
> using telephones, so an email contact method is preferred.

Sadly, you already know the answer to this. Microsoft will not replace
an OEM cd.

You need to find a friend or a local computer shop with a generic OEM
matching the same version installed on your laptop and use that to
reinstall Windows. The only other alternative is to purchase another XP
install cd or put a free operating system such as Linux on the machine.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

"Allan_manchester" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Sadly, my windows installation has died, so I dug out the OEM Windows
> XP Pro cd I bought when I built this PC (OK, its actually a laptop I
> upgraded myself), and kept getting errors.
>
> While taking the cd out of the drive, the damn thing fell into two
> halves. No wonder it was giving errors.
>
> My question is, is there anyway I can send the CD off to get a
> replacement, since it is an original CD, even if it is OEM?

"How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware"
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=326246 (excerpt)

| To replace OEM or System Builder software media, contact the OEM where
| you acquired the software.

--
d-d

The best way is what Malke said.
Your Code Key should activate any copy of "WinXP ProOEM".
You might go to a local PC repair shop with your broken CD for proof.
See if they have a Cd of the same version and ask to get a copy.
May cost you a little.
If you do find/get another CD? Be sure to make a backup copy of it.
That way you never use the original. And put the original in a holder that
does not have the center hole clip. People don't understand those were
made,that way, to break CDs.

"Allan_manchester" wrote:

> Sadly, my windows installation has died, so I dug out the OEM Windows XP Pro
> cd I bought when I built this PC (OK, its actually a laptop I upgraded
> myself), and kept getting errors.
>
> While taking the cd out of the drive, the damn thing fell into two halves.
> No wonder it was giving errors.
>
> My question is, is there anyway I can send the CD off to get a replacement,
> since it is an original CD, even if it is OEM? Please don't say "contact the
> maker of the PC", because *I* am the maker of the PC. I really can't afford
> to dig out another £95 for another new OEM copy.
>
> Sadly, I cannot phone microsoft either, I am deaf, and have difficulties
> using telephones, so an email contact method is preferred.