Have licence key but no CDs

[Neil]

I have an old laptop that originally came loaded with XP
Professional. The IT department at my old company (now
defunct) purchased and loaded NT on it instead because
our software at the time was only certified on NT. I now
use the laptop for personal use and would like to upgrade
it to XP. I have the product key (it's on a sticker on
the bottom of the machine) but not the install CDs. I
have CDs for XP Home Edition from my desktop machine but
I'm afraid the product keys may be incompatible. Is
there a way to order replacement CDs or download the CD
images off the web?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Neil;
There are only two possible sources for the CD you need:
1. The company that bought the laptop.
2. The laptop manufactuturer.
Otherwise you need to acquire the OS elsewhere.
There is nowhere to download the images.

Also, the Product Key on the laptop will probably only work with the
CD that shipped with the computer.
Other CDs will not accept the Product Key.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You'll have to contact the laptop's manufacturer. They'll be your
only legitimate source for the proper OEM installation CD to go with
the Product Key you have.

Bruce Chambers
--
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[Michael Stevens]

I have an old laptop that originally came loaded with XP
Professional. The IT department at my old company (now
defunct) purchased and loaded NT on it instead because
our software at the time was only certified on NT. I now
use the laptop for personal use and would like to upgrade
it to XP. I have the product key (it's on a sticker on
the bottom of the machine) but not the install CDs. I
have CDs for XP Home Edition from my desktop machine but
I'm afraid the product keys may be incompatible. Is
there a way to order replacement CDs or download the CD
images off the web?

You will need to aquire the exact version of XP that shipped with the
laptop. Any OEM XP PRO versions should work with the OEM CD key, but your
best bet would be to obtain the manufacturers XP CD or restore media.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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