Lost WinXP CD

[Pat]

I've got a Windows XP Professional desktop. I want to install a feature from the CD, but
after an extensive search I realized I lost my Windows XP Professional CD-ROM.

Can I simply buy another WinXP Pro CD and use it? Or are there issues with the serial
number or registration?

Pat

 

[happymac.support]

I've got a Windows XP Professional desktop. I want to install a feature from the CD, but
after an extensive search I realized I lost my Windows XP Professional CD-ROM.

Can I simply buy another WinXP Pro CD and use it? Or are there issues with the serial
number or registration?

Pat

You only need a serial number if you are reinstalling the operating
system. If you are just installing a feature, its fine. Either way,
you can just buy another CD and use it.

 

[Gordon]

I've got a Windows XP Professional desktop. I want to install a feature
from the CD, but
after an extensive search I realized I lost my Windows XP Professional
CD-ROM.

Can I simply buy another WinXP Pro CD and use it? Or are there issues with
the serial
number or registration?

Pat

If you have proof of purchase, then MS will sell you another CD at greatly
reduced cost...
How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246

 

[Glen]

you could just borrow one form a freind amd make a copy as long as it is the
same version as you have installed on your computer.

 

[Ken Blake]

you could just borrow one form a freind amd make a copy as long as it
is the same version as you have installed on your computer.

Yes, you can do that. But note that it needs to be more than the same
*version*. It needs to match with respect to Retail vs. OEM., Full vs.
Upgrade, and Home vs. Professional.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

after an extensive search I realized I lost my Windows XP Professional CD-ROM.

Not to pick on you in particular, but I'm continually amazed at how
many times folks here claim to have "lost" their installation CD.

I'm wondering if they never received one when they bought their NAME
BRAND computer, and if they have it in a hidden partition somewhere on
their drive.

 

[Pat]

Not to pick on you in particular, but I'm continually amazed at how
many times folks here claim to have "lost" their installation CD.

I'm wondering if they never received one when they bought their NAME
BRAND computer, and if they have it in a hidden partition somewhere on
their drive.

My laptop is my work machine, and I keep a shoebox with ALL the important media
installed on it - Windows 2000 Pro, all Adobe software, MS Office, etc. I strongly
recommend this. All downloaded installed programs are backed up.

My XP desktop is not used for work so I took maintenance less seriously, but recently I
decided to take inventory of the programs installed and collect the SW in another
shoebox. Yeah, I can't find some of the SW...

I don't understand what you mean by finding Windows in a hidden partition?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

...
My XP desktop is not used for work so I took maintenance less seriously, but recently I
decided to take inventory of the programs installed and collect the SW in another
shoebox. Yeah, I can't find some of the SW...

I don't understand what you mean by finding Windows in a hidden partition?

Not Windows... the recovery files. Some manufacturers put those on a
hidden partition. If you received a CD with your system, that's
probably not an option.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I've got a Windows XP Professional desktop. I want to install a feature from the CD, but
after an extensive search I realized I lost my Windows XP Professional CD-ROM.

Can I simply buy another WinXP Pro CD and use it? Or are there issues with the serial
number or registration?

Pat

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact the computer's
manufacturer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[NotMe]

And if it was a generic OEM CD used by a home system builder?

 

[Bob I]

Then it would be the "home system builder", as they take on the OEM
responsibility as the OEM.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

And if it was a generic OEM CD used by a home system builder?

Then you've no choice but to obtain another unbranded, generic OEM CD.
Unfortunately, I know of no legitimate outlet from which you can
purchase just the CD without an accompanying license.

Perhaps you can find a friend who has the same type of license
(unbranded, generic OEM), and make a copy of his CD to use with your
Product Key. After all, it's the Product Key that represents the
License to use the OS, not the physical CD.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell