New XP

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Guest

My hard drive crashed and I installed a new one. I don't have the original XP
disk I installed. Do I have to purchase a new one or can I use someones with
a key code that can be used on more tham one computer? Bare with me guys I am
new to this re-installation stuff.
 
Hi,

If you have *your* code, then you can simply copy someone else's disk and
use it - provided it is the same type (same version, same as far as
retail/OEM). Otherwise not, and you will need to purchase a new one. A
volume license is generally sold to businesses, but if you know someone with
a 5 copy license and they are willing to give you one of those, then that
too is fine.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Angel said:
My hard drive crashed and I installed a new one. I don't have the original XP
disk I installed. Do I have to purchase a new one or can I use someones with
a key code that can be used on more tham one computer? Bare with me guys I am
new to this re-installation stuff.
Click to expand...


As long as you use your *own* Product Key (the one that's stored on the
packaging of the CD you've lost), and no other, you can borrow a
like-version installation CD to re-install the OS. There is no
"generic" Product Key that can be used on multiple computers; there is a
Volume License available, to be purchased in quantities of 5 or more.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of CD/license
(OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) 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 upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD, 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 types cannot be mixed & matched.

Your best course of action, of course, would to replace the missing CD.
If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you'll need to contact the computer's
manufacturer.



--

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
 
Rick "Nutcase" Rogers said:
Hi,

If you have *your* code, then you can simply copy someone else's disk and
use it - provided it is the same type ...
Click to expand...

Rick,

It is not OK to just make a copy of a friends CD (I believe our CDs still
have the "Do not make illegal copies of this disk" on the disk surface.)

If the end user has lost his CD then he should get another from us if it was
retail or from the OEM if it was an OEM supplied CD.

How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups
 
Mike said:
Rick,

It is not OK to just make a copy of a friends CD (I believe our CDs
still have the "Do not make illegal copies of this disk" on the disk
surface.)
Click to expand...

but surely if the OP has paid for a licence, whether OEM or Retail, then
copying a CD is OK? Is it not the *licence* that is important here, rather
than the CD?
 
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