Where to download XP Home?

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I just purchased a used laptop from a friend and need to reinstall Windows XP
home. As expected, the guy I bought it from does not have the disk. The
laptop came with XP Homeinstalledon it and has a label on the bottom with a
key printed on it. Where can I download the install disc?

Thanks!
 
Contact the manufacturer of your PC and order
their Windows XP Recovery or Reinstallation CD.
The Product Key affixed to your PC is only valid
with the PC manufacturer's recovery CD.

Otherwise, you'll need to purchase a new Windows XP
CD and licence. Example:

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| I just purchased a used laptop from a friend and need to reinstall Windows XP
| home. As expected, the guy I bought it from does not have the disk. The
| laptop came with XP Homeinstalledon it and has a label on the bottom with a
| key printed on it. Where can I download the install disc?
|
| Thanks!
 
UsedLaptopGuy said:
I just purchased a used laptop from a friend and need to reinstall Windows
XP
home. As expected, the guy I bought it from does not have the disk. The
laptop came with XP Homeinstalledon it and has a label on the bottom with
a
key printed on it. Where can I download the install disc?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You don't want to install any Microsoft OS you can download. You need to
find a friend, relative, or co-worker that has a Windows XP Home Edition OEM
CD. You might be able to re-install from that media, assuming it matches
the same Service Pack level as the version that shipped with the Laptop.

carl
 
UsedLaptopGuy said:
I just purchased a used laptop from a friend and need to reinstall
Windows XP home. As expected, the guy I bought it from does not have
the disk. The laptop came with XP Homeinstalledon it and has a label
on the bottom with a key printed on it. Where can I download the
install disc?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You need to contact the manufacturer of the laptop. Most laptops have
customised versions of XP with special drivers for power mangement and other
things.

Kerry
 
UsedLaptopGuy said:
I just purchased a used laptop from a friend and need to reinstall Windows XP
home. As expected, the guy I bought it from does not have the disk. The
laptop came with XP Homeinstalledon it and has a label on the bottom with a
key printed on it. Where can I download the install disc?
Click to expand...


You can't legitimately download it, anywhere.

If the laptop's manufacturer isn't willing to provide a replacement
installation CD -- and they were contractually obligated to support the
original purchaser only, then you'll most likely have to buy your own
license.

You might be able to obtain a generic OEM CD fairly cheaply, via eBay
or a computer swap meet, but you'll need to be very careful in doing so.
A lot of OEM CDs for sale through such channels are branded to
specific make/model PCs and won't install on anything else.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
I just purchased a used laptop from a friend and need to reinstall Windows XP
home. As expected, the guy I bought it from does not have the disk. The
laptop came with XP Homeinstalledon it and has a label on the bottom with a
key printed on it. Where can I download the install disc?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Likely the simplest, safest,

and most legal option is to go on eBay or Amazon (safer) and
BUY a copy. It's not that expensive these days.

I got a REAL copy of XP Pro on EBay "Buy It Now" last year
for under $60.

(if you don't know, "Buy It Now" simply means that -- for
example with XP, you will find 15,000 listings. Scan the
listings until you find a copy of XP Pro that is being bid
on. Let's say the bidding stands at $37.25. There will be
a red lettered option below: "Buy It Now" $42.50.

I saw my copy listed at like $32.50. I saw the "Buy It Now"
at $53.50. I thought, "I have the $60 in my account (Debit
Card). Why bid when I can have it right now?

I "Bought it now", and 3 days later, it was in my mailbox.

(yes, it's registered, so I know it's legal)

Don't mess with downloading XP, since many of those who
"make it available" will be enclosing a NASTY virus with it.


I have just recently ( last month or so) seen XP Pro for
under $100.

Better safe with a legal copy than BUSTED!

And it IS illegal to "download" XP, last I heard.


Tallahassee
 
You don't want to install any Microsoft OS you can download. You need to
find a friend, relative, or co-worker that has a Windows XP Home Edition OEM
CD. You might be able to re-install from that media, assuming it matches
the same Service Pack level as the version that shipped with the Laptop.
Click to expand...

I disagree with downloading or borrowing, and this is why.

XP is now so cheap, anyone with $75 can purchase a legal
copy off the www.

And-- very likely-- the guy he purchased the puter from kept
the install copy of XP. Meaning, there are now 2 guys with
the same key.

Should Microsoft do a random check (and they do, Bill Gates
is a stingy MOFO), and that number bounces, the last guy to
use it gets busted.

it's the SAFE thing to go buy his own copy. That way, no
matter how many times he upgrades his puter, he still has a
legal copy of the XP OS.

Only OTHER advice I'd give him is:
1. get if off eBay from a "Buy It now" merchant. (SUPER
SAFE)
2. get XP Pro, not XP Home. For a few pennies more, he's
getting a HECK of a lot more s/w.


Tallahassee
 
You need to contact the manufacturer of the laptop. Most laptops have
customised versions of XP with special drivers for power mangement and other
things.

Kerry
Click to expand...

Good point. The "work around" is to get a legal copy of XP
(eBay has it, as does Amazon/eBay is MUCH cheaper)

And then go on

www.download.com


and get a copy of the FREE

Driver Genius.

I got this s/w a month ago, and it examined my system and
downloaded a dozen drivers, s/w packages.

I VERY CAREFULLY matched the drivers to my specs, I already
had 9 of the 12 drivers it downloaded, and I installed the 3
I didn't already have.

"WoW!" Like turning on the lights in a dark room!

I now have those new drivers archived on a CD Rom, and I am
as current as I can be.


Tallahassee
 
You can't legitimately download it, anywhere.

If the laptop's manufacturer isn't willing to provide a replacement
installation CD -- and they were contractually obligated to support the
original purchaser only, then you'll most likely have to buy your own
license.

You might be able to obtain a generic OEM CD fairly cheaply, via eBay
or a computer swap meet, but you'll need to be very careful in doing so.
A lot of OEM CDs for sale through such channels are branded to
specific make/model PCs and won't install on anything else.
Click to expand...


Very true. This is why the reputable eBay merchants who are
selling XP Home and Pro will give you a long list of the
machines their s/w has been tested on.

Match the machine on their page to your puter, and you're
home.


Less than $100 in most cases! (I have a VERY generic
machine), so I paid under $60 for the full XP Pro.

I only have to load SP 2 every time I install. That's a
small price to pay to get the OS for under $60.


And I recently found a document that tells you how to
download all the updates and burn them onto a CD.

That's my next "major task".

Tallahassee
 
Talahasee said:
I disagree with downloading or borrowing, and this is why.

XP is now so cheap, anyone with $75 can purchase a legal
copy off the www.
Click to expand...

According to the EULA for an OEM installation the license remains with
the 1st computer it is installed on. If the computer changes hands the
license goes with it. The OP has a legal legitimate license, just lacks
the installation media. The license is the COA, not the media. It
doesn't matter where the media comes from.
And-- very likely-- the guy he purchased the puter from kept
the install copy of XP. Meaning, there are now 2 guys with
the same key.
Click to expand...

Then the seller is in violation of the EULA, not the purchaser.
Should Microsoft do a random check (and they do, Bill Gates
is a stingy MOFO), and that number bounces, the last guy to
use it gets busted.
Click to expand...

Microsoft has never done license checks on consumers, only organizations.
it's the SAFE thing to go buy his own copy. That way, no
matter how many times he upgrades his puter, he still has a
legal copy of the XP OS.
Click to expand...

As stated above, the OP already has a legitimate license to use the
software.
Only OTHER advice I'd give him is:
1. get if off eBay from a "Buy It now" merchant. (SUPER
SAFE)
Click to expand...

I'd _never_ buy software off eBay!
2. get XP Pro, not XP Home. For a few pennies more, he's
getting a HECK of a lot more s/w.
Click to expand...

Pennies? Price differences between XP Pro and Home OEM versions are
about $80. I'd hardly call that "pennies" and the OP may have no need
for the features in Pro.

Steve N.
 
Talahasee said:
Good point. The "work around" is to get a legal copy of XP
(eBay has it, as does Amazon/eBay is MUCH cheaper)

And then go on

www.download.com


and get a copy of the FREE

Driver Genius.

I got this s/w a month ago, and it examined my system and
downloaded a dozen drivers, s/w packages.

I VERY CAREFULLY matched the drivers to my specs, I already
had 9 of the 12 drivers it downloaded, and I installed the 3
I didn't already have.

"WoW!" Like turning on the lights in a dark room!

I now have those new drivers archived on a CD Rom, and I am
as current as I can be.


Tallahassee
Click to expand...

It is comon for laptop drivers to be only available from the manufacturer.
Generic drivers from the chipset manufacturers quite often do not work
properly with some laptops.

Kerry
 
Talahasee said:
Likely the simplest, safest,

and most legal option is to go on eBay or Amazon (safer) and
BUY a copy. It's not that expensive these days.

I got a REAL copy of XP Pro on EBay "Buy It Now" last year
for under $60.

(if you don't know, "Buy It Now" simply means that -- for
example with XP, you will find 15,000 listings. Scan the
listings until you find a copy of XP Pro that is being bid
on. Let's say the bidding stands at $37.25. There will be
a red lettered option below: "Buy It Now" $42.50.

I saw my copy listed at like $32.50. I saw the "Buy It Now"
at $53.50. I thought, "I have the $60 in my account (Debit
Card). Why bid when I can have it right now?

I "Bought it now", and 3 days later, it was in my mailbox.

(yes, it's registered, so I know it's legal)

Don't mess with downloading XP, since many of those who
"make it available" will be enclosing a NASTY virus with it.


I have just recently ( last month or so) seen XP Pro for
under $100.

Better safe with a legal copy than BUSTED!

And it IS illegal to "download" XP, last I heard.


Tallahassee
Click to expand...

Thanks to all of you for the input. I'm going to contact HP to see if I can
get it from them. I know the original laptop owner and I know for a fact he
is NOT using the license on another machine. He is a complete novice and
just purchased a new Dell Laptop with XP pre-installed on it.

Even though a new copy is "cheap" I see no reason why I should have to buy
one as long as I stay within the letter of the EULA. The machine came with
XP Home on it and nobody else is using the key so I do not see anything
illegal about just trying to recover the OS that was paid for and licensed to
the laptop I now own.

Hopefully HP will see it my way as well :-)
 
Talahasee said:
I disagree with downloading or borrowing, and this is why.

XP is now so cheap, anyone with $75 can purchase a legal
copy off the www.

And-- very likely-- the guy he purchased the puter from kept
the install copy of XP. Meaning, there are now 2 guys with
the same key.
Click to expand...

Where the media comes from is completely irrelevant. As long as it matches
the distribution, edition, and service pack level (e.g. OEM, Home, SP1),
then he can install from any media and use HIS OWN Product Key listed on the
COA sticker.

carl
 
UsedLaptopGuy said:
I just purchased a used laptop from a friend and need to reinstall
Windows XP home. As expected, the guy I bought it from does not have
the disk. The laptop came with XP Homeinstalledon it and has a label
on the bottom with a key printed on it. Where can I download the
install disc?
Click to expand...



Nowhere. WIndows CDs are not legally available for download anywhere. If
"the guy" sold you a system without a CD, you have essentially bought a
system without Windows and need to buy.a copy.

You can either buy a regular copy from any of the usual sources, or check
with the laptop's manufacturer to see if they have one for sale customized
with all the special drivers you may need for the latop.
 
UsedLaptopGuy said:
I just purchased a used laptop from a friend and need to reinstall Windows
XP
home. As expected, the guy I bought it from does not have the disk. The
laptop came with XP Homeinstalledon it and has a label on the bottom with
a
key printed on it. Where can I download the install disc?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


You mentioned in a subthread that it is an HP laptop. So why not check what
the manual says for reinstalling the operating system? Could be the
recovery "media" is in a hidden partition on the hard drive and you
reinstall from there.
 
Ken Blake said:
Nowhere. WIndows CDs are not legally available for download anywhere. If
"the guy" sold you a system without a CD, you have essentially bought a
system without Windows and need to buy.a copy.

You can either buy a regular copy from any of the usual sources, or check
with the laptop's manufacturer to see if they have one for sale customized
with all the special drivers you may need for the latop.
Click to expand...

Well I find it hard to believe that I bought a laptop and not the OS that
came on it simply because I do not have the CD. I can tell by the way you
quoted "the guy" you are assuming I am trying to pirate the software, but I
am not. The machine was out of warranty and had a dead drive which I
replaced.

To Carey Frisch: Thank you for the useful link, I am looking into that now.
 
UsedLaptopGuy said:
Well I find it hard to believe that I bought a laptop and not the OS
that came on it simply because I do not have the CD. I can tell by
the way you quoted "the guy" you are assuming I am trying to pirate
the software, but I am not.
Click to expand...


No, I wasn't assuming that at all, and I apologize if I gave you that idea.
It wasn't my intention.

Nevertheless, there is *nowhere* where you can legally download the
installation CD.

Others have pointed out that since you still have the Product Key, you have
a valid license, and they are right. The suggestion to borrow someone else's
CD of the same OEM brand and type is a good one, and should work with your
Key. However make sure it's the same Edition (Home vs Professional) and same
OEM brand.
 
Vanguard said:
You mentioned in a subthread that it is an HP laptop. So why not check what
the manual says for reinstalling the operating system? Could be the
recovery "media" is in a hidden partition on the hard drive and you
reinstall from there.

--
_________________________________
** Post replies to the newsgroup.
For e-mail, add "#VN" to Subject.
_________________________________
Click to expand...

No manual at all.... Just the laptop, period.

I've been hunting on the HP site for the part number and have also sent an
email to their tech support. If that gets me nowhere I will have to resort
to finding somebody else with an HP ze4947wm-b laptop so I can borrow their
discs.

Thanks to all. Bye.
 
UsedLaptopGuy said:
No manual at all.... Just the laptop, period.

I've been hunting on the HP site for the part number and have also sent an
email to their tech support. If that gets me nowhere I will have to
resort
to finding somebody else with an HP ze4947wm-b laptop so I can borrow
their
discs.
Click to expand...


Then download the manual from HP's site. Go to their support page and
simply search on your model ("ze4947wm"). That page has links to retrieve
the manuals. I scanned through the Reference Guide
(http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00214542.pdf) and found instructions
on "Operating System (OS) CD Repair". You could've done all of the above.
Apparently they require the use of recovery CDs instead of a hidden
partition consuming space on the hard drive.

So your friend simply just gave you hardware. Your friend did not give you
the operating system or any other software that was left on the "dirty"
drive. You will have to contact HP to see how willing they are to provide
you with a replacement CD but it will cost you.
 
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