reinstalling Xp home (CD lost)

[Miles]

I have lost my CD, but still have the product key from the CD. I need to reinstall Xp.
Can I just borrow someone else's CD to reinstall Xp and then enter the product key
for the CD that I purchased several years ago (rather than the product code on the
borrowed CD)?

If that is not possible, can Microsoft help me or do I need to bite the bullet and
purchase another upgrade Xp CD?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have lost my CD, but still have the product key from the CD. I need to
reinstall Xp.
Can I just borrow someone else's CD to reinstall Xp and then enter the
product key
for the CD that I purchased several years ago (rather than the product
code on the
borrowed CD)?

If that is not possible, can Microsoft help me or do I need to bite the
bullet and
purchase another upgrade Xp CD?

Yes, you can borrow someone else's CD or burn a copy of it,
provided that it is the same type (OEM or Retail). If it is the
wrong type then your product key won't work.

 

[John]

I'm having the same problem with XP Pro. The label on the side of the PC I'
re-installing rejected the code when it was entered during the install
process! I'm not sure how to check what type of installation CD is required,
which is a pain!! If anyone can help, please let me know PLEASE!!!
Thanks

 

[HeyBub]

I'm having the same problem with XP Pro. The label on the side of the
PC I' re-installing rejected the code when it was entered during the
install process! I'm not sure how to check what type of installation
CD is required, which is a pain!! If anyone can help, please let me
know PLEASE!!!
Thanks

If there's a sticker on the side of the computer, then most assuredly the OS
was an OEM version (on retail versions, the sticker is on the box).

There are two kinds of OEM distributions: Generic and specific. If
"specific," the OEM is tied to the manufacturer/model of the computer,
usually through a BIOS hook of some kind. In that case, you'll have to have
a disk provided by the original manufacturer that can make sense of the
sticker's code.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have lost my CD, but still have the product key from the CD. I need to reinstall Xp.
Can I just borrow someone else's CD to reinstall Xp and then enter the product key
for the CD that I purchased several years ago (rather than the product code on the
borrowed CD)?

Yes. However you need to borrow a CD that matches your key with
respect to Home vs. Professional, Retail vs. OEM, and Full vs.
Upgrade.

 

[Nick C]

Okay, sorry to butt in, but I have a question too.

I have a Synergio built Windows XP Home system, and I have just formatted my
hard drive due to viral issues. This is not the first time I've reformatted.
I have the proper install disk (OEM), and the number on the side of my
computer is telling me that it is no longer valid.

I've searched the internet, and come up with needing to call Microsoft
because I've reformatted so many times. But there is no way I'm paying $59.00
for a phone call if I don't have to.

Is there a way, (I have all the numbers from the Microsoft sticker), to
reactivate my code? Or do I need a new one? Or do I have to go buy a whole
new Windows?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

What exactly do you mean with your statement "the number on the side of my
computer is telling me that it is no longer valid"?

By the way, since you keep infecting/reloading your operating system, have
you considered using an imaging product such as Acronis TrueImage? It would
save you an enormous amount of time while at the same time getting around
any licensing issues.

 

[Nick C]

I mean the number on the Microsoft Genuine sticker. The product key, serial,
whatever else is on that sticker. I try to activate Windows, since I just
formatted last night, and it's telling me that my key is no longer valid.

I have the whole side panel of the computer, sticker included, sitting
beside me.

I don't know about imaging, it's not really me that tends to infect the
computer, it's when I allow others to use it without my supervision.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I may be wrong but I did not think that product keys expire. You can find
out by ringing Microsoft - they won't charge you for the initial licensing
advice.

Whether it's you or other people allowing your machine to be infected is
irrelevant. What's important is that it keeps happening. If you cannot
prevent it then you must take appropriate countermeasures. Creating and
maintaining an image, stored on an off-line medium, is one way of dealing
with the issue.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:03:02 -0700, Nick C <Nick

Okay, sorry to butt in, but I have a question too.

I have a Synergio built Windows XP Home system, and I have just formatted my
hard drive due to viral issues. This is not the first time I've reformatted.
I have the proper install disk (OEM), and the number on the side of my
computer is telling me that it is no longer valid.

With better care, you should *never* get a virus, and even if you do,
you should hardly ever need to reinstall Windows rather than get rid
of the virus.

I've searched the internet, and come up with needing to call Microsoft
because I've reformatted so many times. But there is no way I'm paying $59.00
for a phone call if I don't have to.

A phone call is fine. It's the result of reformatting and reinstalling
too often. It is *not* $59.00, it's completely free. It's also quick
and easy. Just go ahead and do it.

 

[Daave]

I mean the number on the Microsoft Genuine sticker. The product key,
serial, whatever else is on that sticker. I try to activate Windows,
since I just formatted last night, and it's telling me that my key is
no longer valid.

It is important to have the *exact* wording of the message:

<quote>
If internet activation fails and the Wizard complains about “too many
activations” or an “incorrect product key”, you still have the option of
calling Microsoft’s toll free number to activate Windows. As long as the
Wizard doesn’t report “invalid product key,” options are still open. An
“invalid” (not “incorrect,” mind you) key is one reported or detected as
pirated, so you’ll have to find some other way to make your software go.
</quote>

From "How to Activate Windows XP in 5 Minutes or Less"
http://www.command-tab.com/2007/03/17/windows-xp-activation-in-5-minutes-or-less/

Or are you getting this message?:

<quote>
The Product Key used to install Windows is invalid. Please contact your
system administrator or retailer immediately to obtain a valid Product
Key. You may also contact Microsoft Corporation's Anti-Piracy Team by
emailing (e-mail address removed) if you think you have purchased pirated
Microsoft software. Please be assured that any personal information you
send to the Microsoft Anti-Piracy Team will be kept in strict
confidence.
</quote>

If so, look at:

http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/SP2/common.php

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326904

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310637