Damaged Windows CD

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cliff
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Cliff

My computer was built by a local company that is out of
business and I have a Windows XP Pro OEM disc that has
become damaged. How do I get a replacemant disk? I can not
find anything on Microsoft other that to contact the
original M=manufacture.
This disk looks new but has a scratch on it.
Thanks for any help.
 
Hi

If you have an OEM disk, then you will have to have a word with company that you purchased it from.

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User


| My computer was built by a local company that is out of
| business and I have a Windows XP Pro OEM disc that has
| become damaged. How do I get a replacemant disk? I can not
| find anything on Microsoft other that to contact the
| original M=manufacture.
| This disk looks new but has a scratch on it.
| Thanks for any help.
|
 
Unfortunately, Microsoft cannot replace damaged Windows XP OEM CDs.
Only the seller can replace it. If they are out of business, you are, unfortunately,
out of luck.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| My computer was built by a local company that is out of
| business and I have a Windows XP Pro OEM disc that has
| become damaged. How do I get a replacemant disk? I can not
| find anything on Microsoft other that to contact the
| original M=manufacture.
| This disk looks new but has a scratch on it.
| Thanks for any help.
|
 
| My computer was built by a local company that is out of
| business and I have a Windows XP Pro OEM disc that has
| become damaged. How do I get a replacemant disk? I can not
| find anything on Microsoft other that to contact the
| original M=manufacture.
| This disk looks new but has a scratch on it.
| Thanks for any help.
|

As you've found out Microsoft won't replace an OEM disc.

Depending on how deep the scratch is, there are products on the market for
repairing scratched discs such as Digital Inovations "SkipDR"

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=301230&pfp=SEARCH

I'm sure there are others.

I've heard of people having success with rubbing out small scratches with
toothpaste although I've had no firsthand experience.

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details. :)

Remove shoes to E-mail.
 
My computer was built by a local company that is out of
business and I have a Windows XP Pro OEM disc that has
become damaged. How do I get a replacemant disk? I can not
find anything on Microsoft other that to contact the
original M=manufacture.
This disk looks new but has a scratch on it.
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...


I've had very good luck with a "CD repair kit" that's sold
in the big compyter stores like CompUSA. It costs about $7.

Other than that, it's ebay time.
 
My computer was built by a local company that is out of
business and I have a Windows XP Pro OEM disc that has
become damaged. How do I get a replacemant disk? I can not
find anything on Microsoft other that to contact the
original M=manufacture.
This disk looks new but has a scratch on it.
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

As others have explained, MS does not normally replace OEM CDs. However,
you''re stuck with an OEM that's out of business. If you decide to go ahead
and approach ME about obtaining a replacement anyhow, the info for doing so
is in the following article:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246
 
Why do you want an OEM CD? It can not be used to transfer XP to another
computer, or even to upgrade the current computer significantly (e.g., new
motherboard), and it can not be used for a repair installation? In fact,
about the only thing it is good for is installing XP once, and that has
already been done by the now-defunct OEM.

You might be better served by getting some good backup software and using it
occassionally, so that in the event of a disaster you can go back a short
while in time, instead of to day one. I recommend Acronis True Image,
because it has full support for uSB and firewire external disks, CDs, etc.
But, Norton GHOST also works, especially if you have a seocnd internal hard
drive.
 
In
Bob Harris said:
Why do you want an OEM CD? It can not be used to transfer XP to
another computer,

Correct.


or even to upgrade the current computer
significantly (e.g., new motherboard),
Click to expand...


But that's very much disputable. Microsoft has never clarified
what they consider a new computer, and how much you can upgrade
with am OEM version without their giving you a hard time is not
at all clear. My guess is that you can usually get away with
upgrading just about everything as long as you kep something.

and it can not be used for a
repair installation?
Click to expand...


No, that's not true.

In fact, about the only thing it is good for is
installing XP once,
Click to expand...


And that's definitely very much untrue. You can certainly use an
OEM to reinstall XP on the same hardware as often as you want to,
and I know many people who have done it multiple times.
 
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