HELP! Lost XP CD and need to re-install!...

[Stuart]

My laptop recently crashed and now needs a new hard
drive - this means that I have to re-install my Windows
XP Home Ed. but there is a problem... I have lost my cd!
I still have the booklet, and the license / product key
that came with it - does anyone know if I can install
using another cd, but re-registering with my current
license / product key, or will I have to surcombe and
fork out on a whole new XP package?!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If Windows XP came preinstalled on your PC, then you'll
have to contact the manufacturer of your PC and request
a CD replacement. Your Product Key will only work with
the PC manufacturer's CD.

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[ln];326246

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| My laptop recently crashed and now needs a new hard
| drive - this means that I have to re-install my Windows
| XP Home Ed. but there is a problem... I have lost my cd!
| I still have the booklet, and the license / product key
| that came with it - does anyone know if I can install
| using another cd, but re-registering with my current
| license / product key, or will I have to surcombe and
| fork out on a whole new XP package?!

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

See if the following article helps:

"How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If you have/had an OEM CD, you will need to contact your supplier.

 

[Plato]

My laptop recently crashed and now needs a new hard
drive - this means that I have to re-install my Windows
XP Home Ed. but there is a problem... I have lost my cd!
I still have the booklet, and the license / product key
that came with it - does anyone know if I can install
using another cd, but re-registering with my current
license / product key, or will I have to surcombe and
fork out on a whole new XP package?!

It depends. If you had a real MS XP cd then yes, you can use another
real MS XP cd to redo your system and use your key. If, however, you had
a proprietary cd then NO, a real XP cd may not work.

 

[CS]

My laptop recently crashed and now needs a new hard
drive - this means that I have to re-install my Windows
XP Home Ed. but there is a problem... I have lost my cd!
I still have the booklet, and the license / product key
that came with it - does anyone know if I can install
using another cd, but re-registering with my current
license / product key, or will I have to surcombe and
fork out on a whole new XP package?!

What kind of laptop? If it was a Dell, then you can ask Dell support
to send you another for a small fee. Most laptops (Dell being an
exception) do not come with a real install CD. Most have at best a
recovery set of CDs or one restore CD.