XP Installation Media

[mcp6453]

Recently I purchased a used Lenovo 8189 computer. It has the requisite
XP license sticker on the side. The hard drive was wiped clean,
including the restoration partition. I need XP media to install the
operating system. The key on the label does not work with my VLK
version, and it does not work with my retail version.

There must be some version of installation media that will allow me to
reinstall a fully legal and licensed copy of XP on this machine. Two of
my wholesalers have said that any XP disk will work, but that's
incorrect, as I have demonstrated today. Restoration CDs are no longer
available from Lenovo. The only disks that they are making available now
are Vista.

It's obvious why someone would wipe the main partition on a hard drive
before they sell a computer, but it is not obvious to me why they would
also delete the recovery partition. The license follows the computer.
There is nothing confidential or proprietary on the restore partition.

 

[Nepatsfan]

Recently I purchased a used Lenovo 8189 computer. It has the requisite XP
license sticker on the side. The hard drive was wiped clean, including the
restoration partition. I need XP media to install the operating system. The
key on the label does not work with my VLK version, and it does not work with
my retail version.

There must be some version of installation media that will allow me to
reinstall a fully legal and licensed copy of XP on this machine. Two of my
wholesalers have said that any XP disk will work, but that's incorrect, as I
have demonstrated today. Restoration CDs are no longer available from Lenovo.
The only disks that they are making available now are Vista.

It's obvious why someone would wipe the main partition on a hard drive before
they sell a computer, but it is not obvious to me why they would also delete
the recovery partition. The license follows the computer. There is nothing
confidential or proprietary on the restore partition.

So what response did you get when you asked this question of the person who sold
you the computer?

You would need an OEM XP installation CD in the version that matches the sticker
on the laptop in order to use that key. You could try to borrow one from a
friend or family member. Note: You'll probably need to use phone activation.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[GHalleck]

Recently I purchased a used Lenovo 8189 computer. It has the requisite
XP license sticker on the side. The hard drive was wiped clean,
including the restoration partition. I need XP media to install the
operating system. The key on the label does not work with my VLK
version, and it does not work with my retail version.

There must be some version of installation media that will allow me to
reinstall a fully legal and licensed copy of XP on this machine. Two of
my wholesalers have said that any XP disk will work, but that's
incorrect, as I have demonstrated today. Restoration CDs are no longer
available from Lenovo. The only disks that they are making available now
are Vista.

It's obvious why someone would wipe the main partition on a hard drive
before they sell a computer, but it is not obvious to me why they would
also delete the recovery partition. The license follows the computer.
There is nothing confidential or proprietary on the restore partition.

In addition to the response given by Nepatsfan, it might be worthwhile
to contact Lenovo for a disc image of the original recovery partition
or cdrom. As for the assumption that the "license follows the computer",
it might and then it might not, depending on what it says about re-sales,
exchanges, etc.

 

[norm]

In addition to the response given by Nepatsfan, it might be worthwhile
to contact Lenovo for a disc image of the original recovery partition
or cdrom. As for the assumption that the "license follows the computer",
it might and then it might not, depending on what it says about re-sales,
exchanges, etc.

The info at this link should lead you to contacting lenovo about an xp
replacement disk, which seems to be yet available:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-4M7HWZ
Note: We no longer distribute recovery media for the following
discontinued operating systems:
* Windows 95
* Windows 98, 98SE
* Windows NT
* Windows Me
* Windows 2000

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Recently I purchased a used Lenovo 8189 computer. It has the requisite
XP license sticker on the side. The hard drive was wiped clean,
including the restoration partition. I need XP media to install the
operating system. The key on the label does not work with my VLK
version, and it does not work with my retail version.

There must be some version of installation media that will allow me to
reinstall a fully legal and licensed copy of XP on this machine. Two of
my wholesalers have said that any XP disk will work, but that's
incorrect, as I have demonstrated today. Restoration CDs are no longer
available from Lenovo. The only disks that they are making available now
are Vista.

It's obvious why someone would wipe the main partition on a hard drive
before they sell a computer, but it is not obvious to me why they would
also delete the recovery partition. The license follows the computer.
There is nothing confidential or proprietary on the restore partition.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, or full) with which they are purchased.
For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail
version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa.
An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An
Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line:
Product Keys and CD/license types cannot usually (it's been reported
that the Product Key for a full license will work with an Upgrade CD) be
mixed & matched.

You could use an unbranded, generic OEM disk for the same WinXP
edition (Home vs. Pro) as that for which you have the license.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[mcp6453]

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, or full) with which they are purchased.
For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail
version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa.
An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An
Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line:
Product Keys and CD/license types cannot usually (it's been reported
that the Product Key for a full license will work with an Upgrade CD) be
mixed & matched.

You could use an unbranded, generic OEM disk for the same WinXP
edition (Home vs. Pro) as that for which you have the license.

If I had or knew where to get an unbranded, generic OEM disk, I would
use it. The really strange thing is that it is much easier to get a
cracked version of XP instead of obtaining the legitimate, legal disks
corresponding to the license. Microsoft needs to be glad that at least a
few of us are not into pirating software.