Lost OS recovery CD, Windows XP prices?

[Guest]

Hi,

I friend of mine has a Gateway notebook PC that came pre-installed with
Windows XP. It is loaded with viruses. I would like to reformat the hard
drive and reload Windows XP. The problem is, she cannot find the operating
system cd that came with the computer.

I called Gateway, and the person I spoke to said the only thing she can do
is purchase a whole new copy of Windows XP for $199. Is this typical of most
PC sellers? For example, would she be in the same predicament if the PC was
a Dell or an IBM, for example?

Anyway, I searched the Internet to find a better price. I saw that most
vendor's prices were about the same (about $200). I found one place,
however, that sells it for only $59. They say it is "Full version software,
CD set with activation key for licence. *Note: CD's are imprinted with a
Dell or Gateway logo, but are installable and usable on any type of computer."

They say this is legal and I saw mostly positive reviews from customers. I
just wanted to ask here if anyone has any opinion on this sort of thing. Can
this be legit?

Thank you,
Paul

 

[Rock]

Hi,

I friend of mine has a Gateway notebook PC that came pre-installed with
Windows XP. It is loaded with viruses. I would like to reformat the hard
drive and reload Windows XP. The problem is, she cannot find the operating
system cd that came with the computer.

I called Gateway, and the person I spoke to said the only thing she can do
is purchase a whole new copy of Windows XP for $199. Is this typical of most
PC sellers? For example, would she be in the same predicament if the PC was
a Dell or an IBM, for example?

Anyway, I searched the Internet to find a better price. I saw that most
vendor's prices were about the same (about $200). I found one place,
however, that sells it for only $59. They say it is "Full version software,
CD set with activation key for licence. *Note: CD's are imprinted with a
Dell or Gateway logo, but are installable and usable on any type of computer."

They say this is legal and I saw mostly positive reviews from customers. I
just wanted to ask here if anyone has any opinion on this sort of thing. Can
this be legit?

Thank you,
Paul

Did that Gateway come with a hidden recovery partition on the drive to
recover the system? I would think that Gateway could sell her a
recovery CD at a good price. You might want to call again and talk to a
different person about recovery options.