Reinstalling XP Pro w/o the original CDs

[nicnat]

I have a home built desk top system which I'd like to upgrade as it has
performed flawlessly but its only a single core CPU, not 2.x USB, relatively
small HDs,
etc. I originally bought XP Pro retail and installed it. Problem is now I
don't have the disks any longer. I can determine the key via various
utility programs and I've heard that one can use any XP installation CDs
(assuming its the same version; Retail XP Pro in this case) and use the
original
product key to complete the install. Is that correct?? Where would I find
XP Pro retail CDs to install on my new system without having to buy them
again? Any suggestions?

 

[Bob I]

I have a home built desk top system which I'd like to upgrade as it has
performed flawlessly but its only a single core CPU, not 2.x USB, relatively
small HDs,
etc. I originally bought XP Pro retail and installed it. Problem is now I
don't have the disks any longer. I can determine the key via various
utility programs and I've heard that one can use any XP installation CDs
(assuming its the same version; Retail XP Pro in this case) and use the
original
product key to complete the install. Is that correct?? Where would I find
XP Pro retail CDs to install on my new system without having to buy them
again? Any suggestions?

Without having to buy? Ask your neighbor.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I have a home built desk top system which I'd like to upgrade as it has
performed flawlessly but its only a single core CPU, not 2.x USB,
relatively small HDs,
etc. I originally bought XP Pro retail and installed it. Problem is now
I
don't have the disks any longer. I can determine the key via various
utility programs and I've heard that one can use any XP installation CDs
(assuming its the same version; Retail XP Pro in this case) and use the
original
product key to complete the install. Is that correct?? Where would I
find
XP Pro retail CDs to install on my new system without having to buy them
again? Any suggestions?

You have the license key, so any retail CD will work. Borrow one. It's
the license key, not the CD, that is the represenation of the license. You
may also be able to contact MS for a replacement - someone regularly posts a
URL here for "replacing lost or damaged install media".

If you use your key with the wrong install CD, the key will be rejected.
This can be a significant problem if you are doing a repair install, so be
sure to back up the data first.

HTH
-pk

 

[Daave]

You have the license key, so any retail CD will work. Borrow one.
It's the license key, not the CD, that is the represenation of the
license. You may also be able to contact MS for a replacement -
someone regularly posts a URL here for "replacing lost or damaged
install media".

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246

"[Y]ou must be able to provide a proof of purchase when you request a
replacement."

 

[nicnat]

You have the license key, so any retail CD will work. Borrow one. It's
the license key, not the CD, that is the represenation of the
license. You may also be able to contact MS for a replacement -
someone regularly posts a URL here for "replacing lost or damaged
install media".
If you use your key with the wrong install CD, the key will be
rejected. This can be a significant problem if you are doing a repair
install, so be sure to back up the data first.

HTH
-pk

Thanks. It's the last item you bring up which concerns me. I would hate to
go through an irreversible step only to find that the retail key I have will
not work with the media I'm ultimately able to obtain. Thanks for your
post. I'll look for a URL to replace lost or damaged install media. I'll
look at other sources like eMule as well.

 

[Big_Al]

Thanks. It's the last item you bring up which concerns me. I would hate to
go through an irreversible step only to find that the retail key I have will
not work with the media I'm ultimately able to obtain. Thanks for your
post. I'll look for a URL to replace lost or damaged install media. I'll
look at other sources like eMule as well.

If you don't have a good backup external drive, now might be the time to
buy that external case and 3.5" drive for backup. Use the drive to test
your install and if it works, then you've got both the install and a
backup drive now. No matter which drive goes in the case, old/new.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Thanks. It's the last item you bring up which concerns me. I would hate
to go through an irreversible step only to find that the retail key I have
will not work with the media I'm ultimately able to obtain. Thanks for
your post. I'll look for a URL to replace lost or damaged install media.
I'll look at other sources like eMule as well.

I realized later that if you have another sacrificial system - or drive -
you can test the key and CD pair pretty easily. Run the install on this
other system (or other drive) up to the point where it asks for the license
key. Enter yours, and when it says it's accepted or not, you can just halt
the install (even by turning the system off) as you've learned what you need
to know. This should take about 20 minutes.

HTH
-pk

 

[Patrick Keenan]

i belive u can use any xp-pro cd.

Unfortunately, no, you can't. The CD type must match the key type, retail,
VL, OEM, etc.

-pk

 

[nicnat]

I realized later that if you have another sacrificial system - or
drive - you can test the key and CD pair pretty easily. Run the
install on this other system (or other drive) up to the point where
it asks for the license key. Enter yours, and when it says it's
accepted or not, you can just halt the install (even by turning the
system off) as you've learned what you need to know. This should
take about 20 minutes.
HTH
-pk

Once I get the new system built I'll just attempt to install XP via whatever
source I've been able to come up with by then. I don't have a sacrificial
system Thanks.

 

[nicnat]

If your system still running you can use special software to recover
your Windows and Office key. Most of them support some versions of
Windows and some other Microsoft products. Also there is a products
like "Recover Keys" ( 'Recover Lost Product CD Keys for Microsoft
Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Office, SQL, Exchange - CD-Key
Retrieve' (http://recover-keys.com/) ) that support all Windows and
Office versions and 700+ of other major software packages.

Thanks but I said in my original post that I could get the key. I'm trying
to get a line on the install disks for XP Pro now.