Windows Recovery CDs & HDD Restore CDs

Electronics & Photo Fan said:
Surely if these are images of a hard drive, everyone will end up with the same version of Windows? With the same CD-Key??
Click to expand...

Microsoft allow you to use another disk to reload windows but you then use your own CoA to activate it. The CoA will be stuck to the machine if its a branded PC/lappie which is the type of computer to use a restore disk.

Covenant
 
Thanks for that information. I have been told that my laptop hard drive is on the way out so this site will come in very useful as I dont have the recovery cd's for it.

Carole
 
Good link by the way feckit.


It is also possible to create your own Windows XP disc from your recovery CD.
It's sometimes worth doing this if your Recovery CD is the sort that "restores" your computer back to the factory shipped state and wipes out all your data in the process
 
Electronics & Photo Fan said:
Surely if these are images of a hard drive...
Click to expand...

If they ARE images of a hard drive, they are not windows install CDs. They are a 'photograph' of your hard drive in the condition it was when purchased. Therefore activation is normally not needed. So you'll end up with a specific copy of Windows.

I know this, because my mate needs an XP CD, not a key, because he already has one. We can't use a recovery image because we don't have an re-imaging disc that doesn't belong to another PC that's currently in use.

Anyway, most Drive Image Recovery CDs are BIOS-locked.
 
Covenant said:
It is also possible to create your own Windows XP disc from your recovery CD
Click to expand...

Please could you explain how? It would greatly help me.

Moderators -

(I have a key that has been bought - NOT illegal - read my previous post if in doubt of me)
 
Electronics & Photo Fan said:
Please could you explain how? It would greatly help me.

Moderators -

(I have a key that has been bought - NOT illegal - read my previous post if in doubt of me)
Click to expand...
Well, I'll try ...

First off, that site is merely re-distributing what can be found on say, Dell's own site. We'll use Dell as an example.

Dell no longer supply a recovery CD, you have to download your own or build your own off the PC itself ... they are all at it these days.

The PC you receive will have a "sticker" on it somewhere ... "Proof of License Certificate of Authenticity" ... on that, will be the Product Key ... there are different License.

Now, you can use ANY XP Home CD with your License Key of Home XP ... you must use an XP Home CD for home & XP Pro CD for pro ... but your Key is your License to use that OS.

If you have lost your CD, for whatever reason, just borrow a friends CD ... it will work, you may have to phone MS but you use your key when asked.

I used to use my workshop's two CDs to install the OS on customers PC ... I made sure the sticker was placed on the PC, but I never opened their copy of the software. ;)

Now, I have heard that there are "stickers" for sale that have the product key, naturally ... sorry to say, but this is err, a con ... you may have bought that 'sticker' in good faith, but you just got ripped off.

You can only obtain a Licence from MS or an OEM such as Dell ... I do not doubt your word E&PF, could you explain a little further what you mean by "I have a key that has been bought" please ... there will be no repercussion I assure you. :thumb:
 
I'm quite happy to pass on any info I have on how to get Win XP from a recovery disc or even a hard drive. This is perfectly legal if you own a valid CoA, and the information is easily available on the net but apologies to you EaPF I have to agree with Muckshifter on this and you may have been conned. As far as I'm aware, Microsoft do not sell CoAs to the general public.
EaPF, please understand that I am in no way questioning your honesty. If you're happy to let us know a bit more about your licence then I'll post any details you need.

Covenant
 
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