Lost XP OEM CD

[Snowman]

What is Microsoft's policy on lost OEM discs? I have a sticker on the
side of my PC, but have lost the CD.
-Does Microsoft provide them free of charge?
-Can I buy a CD by itself from a retailer very cheaply (ie. with no
product key.)
-Do OEM discs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer? (my PC was built
by a shop)

Please help, formatting neccessary

 

[Alias]

What is Microsoft's policy on lost OEM discs? I have a sticker on the
side of my PC, but have lost the CD.
-Does Microsoft provide them free of charge?
-Can I buy a CD by itself from a retailer very cheaply (ie. with no
product key.)
-Do OEM discs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer? (my PC was built
by a shop)

Please help, formatting neccessary

You have to contact the shop. MS doesn't support OEM even though they
made it.

That said, if you have the sticker and have a friend with the same
flavor of XP that you have, home or pro or media, you can use your
friend's CD and your Product Key number that's on the sticker.

Alias

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Snowman,

What is Microsoft's policy on lost OEM discs? I have a sticker on the
side of my PC, but have lost the CD.

Microsoft doesn't replace OEM disks, they need to be supplied by the system
manufacturer or OEM distributor.

-Does Microsoft provide them free of charge?

Nope. There is a nominal charge even for replacement of a retail disk.

-Can I buy a CD by itself from a retailer very cheaply (ie. with no
product key.)

No CD should be sold without a valid Product Key.

-Do OEM discs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer? (my PC was built
by a shop)

If they used a generic OEM disk (quite common for small shops), then a copy
of another generic OEM CD would be all you really need. Large manufacturers
(HP, Compaq, etc.) usually use image disks, and these would not be suitable
for you.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Bruce Chambers]

What is Microsoft's policy on lost OEM discs? I have a sticker on the
side of my PC, but have lost the CD.
-Does Microsoft provide them free of charge?

No, Microsoft doesn't provide replacement OEM CDs, at all. Contact the
computer's manufacturer.

-Can I buy a CD by itself from a retailer very cheaply (ie. with no
product key.)

Not legitimately, no.

-Do OEM discs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer? (my PC was built
by a shop)

Yes, if a major manufacturer (Dell, HO, Compaq, Sony, Gateway, etc.) is
involved. Is there any reason you can't ask at the shop where you
initially purchased the computer?



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

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chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Rock]

What is Microsoft's policy on lost OEM discs? I have a sticker on the
side of my PC, but have lost the CD.
-Does Microsoft provide them free of charge?
-Can I buy a CD by itself from a retailer very cheaply (ie. with no
product key.)
-Do OEM discs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer? (my PC was built
by a shop)

Please help, formatting neccessary

Find someone with a generic OEM disk and copy it. It's the license key
that's important.

 

[Snowman]

Bruce Chambers: Is there any reason you can't ask at the shop where you

initially purchased the computer?

Unfortunately, it has since closed down.

Rock: Find someone with a generic OEM disk and copy it. It's the
license key
that's important.

Is there anywhere I can legitimately download a generic OEM Disc Image?
(The PC was constructed by a small shop, so I believ it would just be
the Generic OEM)

If I find a similar small shop which sells OEM PCs, would I be able to
purchase a disc there? For what proportion of the full cost of
disc+License Key?

Thanks...

 

[Rock]

Bruce Chambers: Is there any reason you can't ask at the shop where you

initially purchased the computer?

Unfortunately, it has since closed down.

Rock: Find someone with a generic OEM disk and copy it. It's the
license key
that's important.

Is there anywhere I can legitimately download a generic OEM Disc Image?
(The PC was constructed by a small shop, so I believ it would just be
the Generic OEM)

If I find a similar small shop which sells OEM PCs, would I be able to
purchase a disc there? For what proportion of the full cost of
disc+License Key?

Thanks...

No it's not available legitimately for download. Same with the sales.
A legitimate sale needs to include the CD and the key.

 

[Snowman]

Surely this happenas all the time, though?
What is one meant to do? (without breaking any laws)
I have proof of purchase, so I don't understand why their policy is not
to sell cheap replacement CDs... It would make sense.
This is annoying...

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Surely this happenas all the time, though?

Yeah, but only to morons who lose their discs.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Call MS Product Support here: 1-800-936-5700 and explain that the OEM is out
of business, they may be able to help but don't get too hopeful.

Frankly, the quickest way to resolve your problem is to find someone with a
generic OEM disk and make a copy of it. There's nothing illegal or immoral
about that, you're using your own license. You're just replacing the
installation media.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Snowman]

Thanks,

I actually don't live in America, so that phone number won't help me.

I've sent an email off to microsoft...

Thanks...

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

No problem, just pick your country to get the right one:
http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?rdpath=dm;en-us;select&target=assistance

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Snowman]

Thanks, I've made some progress. They want proof of purchase; manual,
CoA and a receipt. luckily, i still have all 3, So I should hopefully
be able to call with these details and get a new CD, for a cost, they
tell me. I hope it's nothing more than the postage...

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Let us know the progress, and the cost should be nominal (a bit more than
shipping alone, but certainly not full price).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Snowman]

Thanks. I should be calling them sometime this week...