XP HOME Replacement CD

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A friend on mine bought a "Great Quality" computer with Windows XP Home. The
computer got several viruses and stopped working. We had to format the drive.
He has contacted Fry's and "Great Quality" several time for the restore CD
with no luck whatsoever. When he bought the computer, he was given no CDs.

Question: I have the Windows XP Home Product Key. Is there any way to obtain
a Windows XP Home replacement? We cannot go the manufacturer since the
manufacturer is unresponsive.

THANKS!!!
 
That's what hapens to mine to. it didn't come with a CD. But in the computer
Manual it says "Tap the F10 button repeatedly" this should start the
recovery. But i don't know if it is for all the computers.
 
Bart said:
That's what hapens to mine to. it didn't come with a CD. But in the
computer Manual it says "Tap the F10 button repeatedly" this should
start the recovery. But i don't know if it is for all the computers.
Click to expand...
Bart - The F10 process is specific to your computer, which is probably
an HP.

Patrick - Your friend needs to take the machine back to Fry's and insist
that he get his money back or help. Anyone selling a computer with a
Windows operating system preinstalled legally must provide a way for
the buyer to return the system to factory condition. That can be done
by:

1. Providing an actual operating system cd.
2. Providing a Restore CD (image of the installation).
3. Providing a restore image on a special hard drive partition,
sometimes hidden, and accessed by a special key press (like F10 for
Bart's machine).

Otherwise, you can contact Microsoft here:

800-426-9400 to replace a CD; 800-325-1233 if OEM dealer has gone out of
business and need to replace a CD.

These are US numbers. If your friend is not in the US, here is a
"Contact Microsoft" page that should have overseas information:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=csscontactfind

Malke
 
Patrick---I am wondering how you managed to "FORMAT" the HD as you stated ,
without a WIN XP operating system disk ?? I thought the only way to format
the XP operating system was to have an XP disk.

Redwagon....
 
In
REDWAGON said:
Patrick---I am wondering how you managed to "FORMAT" the HD as you
stated , without a WIN XP operating system disk ?? I thought the only
way to format the XP operating system was to have an XP disk.

Redwagon....
Click to expand...

You thought wrong.
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Format XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/format_XP.htm

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
REDWAGON said:
Patrick---I am wondering how you managed to "FORMAT" the HD as you
stated , without a WIN XP operating system disk ?? I thought the only
way to format the XP operating system was to have an XP disk.
Click to expand...


No, that's not correct. First of all, note that you don't "format the XP
operating system," you format a drive or partition.

You can format the drive wih any of several different tools. It's normally
easiest to do it with the XP CD, but for various reasons, some people choose
different tools. One common reason for choosing a different tool is that XP
won't let you create a FAT32 partition larger than 32GB. Someone who wants
such a partition *must* use another tool.
 
The problem I have is that after trying to create the recovery disc, windows
shuts down because a file: Windows root\system32\hal.dll. is corrupt. If you
don't have that start up disc you can't reinstall.
 
Thanks Makle, that's exactly the information I needed.

By the way, Fry's gave my friend a GQ tel no to contact. He has called the
number several times, waited forever, gave the requested information and
never received anything.

THANKS a Gazillion!

Pat
 
Hello Redwagon,

I didn't know one needed WIN XP to format the drive. I simply installed my
Windows 98SE disk and used it to delete the partitions and format the drive.

Pat
 
When I try to access that web page, I get this:
The Requested Web Page is Not Available
Alias
 
Hello again, Malke,

The second number you gave us, 800-325-1233, is not working. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
Malke said:
Yes, you're right. They must have taken down the page. However, it was
very easy to go to Microsoft's Windows home page and from there find
the Contact Us page:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/contactuswindows?sd=win

And here's the apparent gateway to international support:
http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

Malke
Click to expand...

Oh, I found it after searching awhile on MS' site. Apparently, in Spain,
there is no toll free number. I just wonder if I ever have to phone activate
who I will call being as I live in Spain but my XP Pro is in English ...

Alias
 
Patrick said:
Hello again, Malke,

The second number you gave us, 800-325-1233, is not working. Any
suggestions?
Click to expand...
Since I don't have any control over Microsoft's phone numbers (and I
must admit I haven't called them to replace an OS CD since I haven't
lost any of mine), I guess the best thing to do would be to look around
on the Contact Us page for phone numbers and/or email. I'm sorry the
number I gave you is outdated.

Malke
 
For "ANY" 1-800 or 1-877 number, all you have to do is
call 1-800-555-1212 that's the Toll Free information line to
get current phone listings. It is an automated/voice activated
system but sometimes a good starting point for getting #'s.
 
In
txbiker said:
The problem I have is that after trying to create the recovery disc,
windows shuts down because a file: Windows root\system32\hal.dll. is
corrupt. If you don't have that start up disc you can't reinstall.
Click to expand...

Did you answer the wrong thread? I have no idea what you are talking about.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
I Also bought a computer w/ XP pre-installed and did not get CD's. I
called Microsoft and they told me they dont give out CD's to people
that have xp pre-installed already. They directed me to HP(My
manufacture) and it was this arab lady that I could not understand for
the life of me. After asking her to repeat what she said over, She
told me I need to order XP again. What up with that? I thought people
could get replacement xp cd's. Ok, I could understand her sometimes so
I just said " I dont know" on few of her question, Could I have said the
wrong answer? Has anybody else have had this problem, not being able to
get replacement CD's? I have my product key but that didnt do any good.
 
I have HP so I am able to press the F10, but I'm not to familiar with
it. Could I reinstall XP with that? Would it delete spyware and other
problems I am having with the comp?
 
HP as other major OEMs furnish OEM Windows XP on their computers.
Think of OEM as being manufacturer, sold and supported by the computer
manufacturer with Microsoft having no part of the transaction.
You need to contact HP for options.
You may be able to make a recovery CD from your computer and/or order the
recovery CD from HP.
This is one of the many reasons you paid less for your OEM than others pay
for retail.

If your Windows XP was retail, Microsoft would replace your CD for
shipping/handling charges.
But you have OEM and not retail and Microsoft can not help.
 
LiEs said:
I Also bought a computer w/ XP pre-installed and did not get CD's. I
called Microsoft and they told me they dont give out CD's to people
that have xp pre-installed already. They directed me to HP(My
manufacture) and it was this arab lady that I could not understand for
the life of me. After asking her to repeat what she said over, She
told me I need to order XP again. What up with that? I thought people
could get replacement xp cd's. Ok, I could understand her sometimes so
I just said " I dont know" on few of her question, Could I have said the
wrong answer? Has anybody else have had this problem, not being able to
get replacement CD's? I have my product key but that didnt do any good.
Click to expand...


Legally, the OEM has met it's contractual obligation to Microsoft by
providing a means of returning the PC to its ex-factory state, whether
it's a Recovery CD or a Recovery Partition. They are not legally
obliged to provide a true installation CD as part of the sale.
Reputable, customer-service aware OEMs, like Dell, MPC, and Gateway, do
provide a full OEM installation CD, that does permit custom
installations and repairs. Many uncaring OEMs, especially those who
sell their computers through department stores and chain outlets, such
as Compaq, HP, eMachines, Toshiba and Sony, however, in an effort to
save pennies and reduce their support costs by having to hire support
people that can only say "Boot from the Recovery CD to return your PC to
its original condition," provide only a CD bearing a disk image of the
hard drive as it left the factory. These Recovery/Restore CDs cannot
perform normal installations, nor can they be used to do any sort of
customizations.

Essentially, it boils down to "You get what you pay for."

--

Bruce Chambers

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