Opening Windows XP

[Guest]

Long story short, I have a secondary pc that has been upgraded via download
purchases off of Microsoft.com to a current version of Windows XP. We ran
into some problems and my son's 19 yr. old computer genius friend deleted my
version of Windows XP and reinstalled a trial version. This version needed a
valid Product Key Code to fully activate. He was not able to provide one. I
now have a pc I can not use due to not being able to get to the primary
Windows welcome screens. It continues to ask for a Product Code Key. What
do I need to do when I do not have Windows XP on CD to reinstall? PLEASE HELP

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

Long story short, I have a secondary pc that has been upgraded via
download
purchases off of Microsoft.com to a current version of Windows XP. We ran
into some problems and my son's 19 yr. old computer genius friend deleted
my
version of Windows XP and reinstalled a trial version. This version
needed a
valid Product Key Code to fully activate. He was not able to provide one.
I
now have a pc I can not use due to not being able to get to the primary
Windows welcome screens. It continues to ask for a Product Code Key.
What
do I need to do when I do not have Windows XP on CD to reinstall? PLEASE
HELP

First, you cannot download any version of Windows from Microsoft (unless you
have a MSDN subscription), so your comment about downloading the current
version is suspicious.

You can download updates to Windows XP.

Your computer probably came with a hidden partition on the hard drive that
held a disc image, enabling you to restore the computer to a "factory fresh"
state.

If your "19 year old computer genius" wiped the hard drive and destroyed the
hidden partition, you will have to contact the manufacturer of your computer
and purchase a Restore CD (or set of CDs). In the future, anyone that
claims to be a "computer genius" should not be allowed near your computer.

Bobby