Getting a copy of my OEM Windows XP Install CD

[Guest]

Hello, I'm helping out a friend with his two computers. They both are about
three yrs old. Each of them has a Windows XP OEM License number/sticker
posted on the computer. He does not have the Windows install cds.

Will the computer manufacturer have to give us the cds? Or, can I get a copy
direct from Microsoft. My concern is that since the computers are over three
yrs old, the manufacturer will give us the brush off...

 

[Guest]

Greetings,

Your supplier should have given you a CD to Reinstall your Operating System,
it's a requirement but many suppliers simply provide you with Restore Discs
in place of a legitimate Windows XP CD. You have the right, providing you
have proof of purchase, to demand a legitimate CD. You may have to contact
Microsoft to obtain a CD but as far as I know, your supplier is in the right
giving you a legitimate Windows XP Home Edition CD. I imagine that the CD
will contain Windows XP Service Pack 2 integrated with the disc, certainly my
Windows XP Professional CD includes Service Pack 2.

If you encounter issues, please re-post in the Community and we'll be happy
to help yourself. I look forward to hearing from yourself regarding this
matter.

Regards,

Scott Sutton

 

[Guest]

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply.

The computers did come wtih a Restore Disk, but not an actual Windows XP CD.
I'll see if the supplier will give the actual cds.

The reason I ask is because one of the computers is seriously infected with
viruses. I'd like to just reformat the hard drive and install a clean copy of
Windows. Would a restore disk allow me to do this? I'm guessing the restore
disk will not let me reformat the hard drive...?

And, hopefully...the virus has not affected the boot partition of the drive.

Again, thanks for your assistance.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Microsoft does not replace OEM versions of Windows XP to end users.
You'll need to contact the computer manufacturer for assistance.

How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

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:

| Hello, I'm helping out a friend with his two computers. They both are about
| three yrs old. Each of them has a Windows XP OEM License number/sticker
| posted on the computer. He does not have the Windows install cds.
|
| Will the computer manufacturer have to give us the cds? Or, can I get a copy
| direct from Microsoft. My concern is that since the computers are over three
| yrs old, the manufacturer will give us the brush off...

 

[Guest]

Thank you Carey. I'll see if the owner still has his receipts for the
computers.

 

[ByTor]

Would a restore disk allow me to do this?

Yes, if it indeed a restore disk to bring the computer to its original
state when bought.......

I'm guessing the restore disk will not let me reformat the hard drive...?

Actually some restore disks are different in that approach......Some may
ask you to format, and others restore an actual image.

And, hopefully...the virus has not affected the boot partition of the drive.

The MBR will be re-written with the restore.

Most, and I'd probably say all proprietary machine manufacturers (Dell,
Compaq, etc.), do not supply an *actual* Windows CD......Your key works
with that restore disk.

 

[Harry Ohrn MS MVP]

Why not just use the Restore CD? It will wipe the drive and setup the system
the way it was at when purchased. You are planning to wipe the drive anyway
with a clean install. Generally after running a Restore CD I go through Add
and Remove Programs and turf the unnecessary fluff but that isn't anymore
time consuming than reinstalling apps anyway.

A word of advice is that if you do a clean install with an XP CD make
certain you have downloaded drivers for the system from the manufacturer and
burn them to a CD. Some systems like e-Machine or Compaq will require
drivers that don't come on an XP CD and can be difficult to find on the
Restore CD.

 

[-Alias-]

Hi Scott, thanks for the reply.

The computers did come wtih a Restore Disk, but not an actual Windows XP CD.
I'll see if the supplier will give the actual cds.

No need.

The reason I ask is because one of the computers is seriously infected with
viruses. I'd like to just reformat the hard drive and install a clean copy of
Windows. Would a restore disk allow me to do this? I'm guessing the restore
disk will not let me reformat the hard drive...?

It will reformat the disk first. You will lose everything on the hard drive.

And, hopefully...the virus has not affected the boot partition of the drive.

If you're worried about that, download the floppies from the hard drive
manufacturer's web site and use that to format the hard drive and
partition it. Do the slow format which will take hours and make sure it
you click on where it says format the MBR or Master Boot Record. After
you're done, go into the BIOS and set it to boot from the CD first. Slip
in the restore disk and exit and save from the BIOS and it will install
to factory fresh, the way the person got it when they bought it.

Again, thanks for your assistance.

You're welcome.

Alias

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello, I'm helping out a friend with his two computers. They both are
about three yrs old. Each of them has a Windows XP OEM License
number/sticker posted on the computer. He does not have the Windows
install cds.

Will the computer manufacturer have to give us the cds? Or, can I get
a copy direct from Microsoft. My concern is that since the computers
are over three yrs old, the manufacturer will give us the brush off...

Microsooft won't help you with OEM versions, and the computers being three
years old is not the issue. OEM vendors are required by their agreement with
Microsoft to give you a means of reinstalling, should it be necessary. They
can do this in one of three ways:

1. An OEM copy of Windows
2. A restore CD
3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information.

If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact your
vendor to find out.

Personally, I find both 2 and 3 unacceptable (especially 3; a hard drive
crash can leave you with nothing), and would never choose to buy a computer
that came with an operating system unless I got a complete generic
installation CD for that operating system.

 

[Guest]

Thanks very much everyone. This is very helpful.

oneils