XP install CD is lost

  • Thread starter Thread starter George
  • Start date Start date
G

George

I need to reinstall Windows XP on a HP laptop.
The XP product key is attached to the laptop but the
installation CD(s) have been lost.

This has to be a fairly common problem, isn't it? But I
can't find anything posted about how to get around this.

Help please.
 
Did HP supply any CDs or did you get a manual with
instructions on how to burn CD from a hidden partition?


message | I need to reinstall Windows XP on a HP laptop.
| The XP product key is attached to the laptop but the
| installation CD(s) have been lost.
|
| This has to be a fairly common problem, isn't it? But I
| can't find anything posted about how to get around this.
|
| Help please.
|
 
Get around what? You losing your CD? No one can help you to be more
responsible!

You have the key - use any comparable Windows XP CD. Be careful NOT to lose
the one you borrow. Burn a copy for yourself and use YOUR key!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)
 
well...atleast you have the key id #...as far as being common....not
really...only about .00002% of the folks supposedly "lose" their disk...so
you can deduce whatever you care from that....
 
Greetings --

Call HP for a replacement.

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
 
Hi,

Lost CD? Call the laptop manufacturer (HP) for a replacement.

In the meantime, try running the winnt32.exe file from the I386 folder
located on the hard drive (this is usually a hidden system folder placed on
the drive during setup), if it exists.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
I need to reinstall Windows XP on a HP laptop.
The XP product key is attached to the laptop but the
installation CD(s) have been lost.

This has to be a fairly common problem, isn't it? But I
can't find anything posted about how to get around this.

Help please.
Click to expand...

Most of the HPs have a hidden partition with the files needed to restore
XP. Check your system manual (or HP's online tech support resources) for
more info. Also, I've read a few posts here where HP owners can press a
function key during startup (F10?) and it brings up an option to do a
"non-destructive recovery" or a "full recovery." Perhaps your system came
with this ability too.
 
Simple. Purchase a new set of CDs. However, be careful about what you
purchase because yours is a laptop, and laptop versions of the OS are often
special versions. Your best bet is to get a replacement from HP.
 
-----Original Message-----
I need to reinstall Windows XP on a HP laptop.
The XP product key is attached to the laptop but the
installation CD(s) have been lost.

This has to be a fairly common problem, isn't it? But I
can't find anything posted about how to get around this.

Help please.

.You can use any XP disc of the same type (i.e.
Click to expand...
Home/Pro) to reinstall, but use the product key that came
with the laptop
 
You need to contact HP to get replacement media from HP in
order to use the HP OEM product key. New media might even
come with a new key.

Or buy a retail XP and do a repair install using the product
key with that CD.

Be sure your HP laptop drivers are available.

Windows CDs are like cash, you lose it, you buy it again.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


|
| >-----Original Message-----
| >I need to reinstall Windows XP on a HP laptop.
| >The XP product key is attached to the laptop but the
| >installation CD(s) have been lost.
| >
| >This has to be a fairly common problem, isn't it? But I
| >can't find anything posted about how to get around this.
| >
| >Help please.
| >
| >.You can use any XP disc of the same type (i.e.
| Home/Pro) to reinstall, but use the product key that came
| with the laptop
| >
 
-----Original Message-----
.You can use any XP disc of the same type (i.e.
Home/Pro) to reinstall, but use the product key that came
with the laptop
Click to expand...

To the original poster of the thread (top): Yes there are a few
people here and there who lose their original recovery CD(s), But I
wouldn't go as far as saying it is a "fairly common problem". I even
think it is quite rare. Original recovery CDs can only be used on
that particular computer. The XP on them is valuable. otherwise it's
around $190 for a stand-alone copy of XP home, or around $90 for an
Windows upgrade copy.

What I see more of than people "losing" their recovery CD(s) is people
buying a new computer with XP on it and they didn't get any recovery
CD(s). This is unfortunate, but they were newbies and didn't know any
better. They plain & simple got shafted. I could be wrong, but I
think it is illegal to sell a computer with XP on it & it isn't
licensed & they didn't give you a copy of the recovery CD(s)
(OEM version, right)?

....D.
 
Home/Pro) to reinstall, but use the product key that came
with the laptop
Click to expand...

Are you sure it came with CDs? A lot of the HPs have a recovery partition on
the hard drive, and some of the manufacturers want you to make your own
recovery CDs.
 
I would contact HP support. They may provide you with replacements for
some nominal fee.
 
Contact HP, they do provide replacement CD's for their computers.
All you need is your serial number on your computer. If you bought
it second hand don't volunter that information.

Always contact the vendor that supplied the computer with the software.

Home/Pro) to reinstall, but use the product key that came
with the laptop
Click to expand...

No, HP and other vendors tie there version of XP to their computers.
It is very easy to get a restore disk from them becuase you can not install
them on any other computer. HP, Dell & Compaq started doing this with
Windows 98SE.
 
...D. said:
To the original poster of the thread (top): Yes there are a few
people here and there who lose their original recovery CD(s), But I
wouldn't go as far as saying it is a "fairly common problem". I even
think it is quite rare. Original recovery CDs can only be used on
that particular computer. The XP on them is valuable. otherwise it's
around $190 for a stand-alone copy of XP home, or around $90 for an
Windows upgrade copy.
Click to expand...

You can pick up XP Home from Walmart full version (OEM) for $119.
There are some cheaper on eBay but they always add on S & H of
$20-$25 dollars, so they are about the same in price.

I notice that people on this newsgroup like to scare people with this
if you lost your CD you have to pay $190 to reinstall it FUD. Some people
are also wannabe Microsoft legal department employees and start declaring
what is
legal to buy. Wouldn't it be better to actually help people solve their
problem then rant at
them about what you think is legal to do? If MS has a problem with people
buying
and selling Windows XP OEM versions I'm sure their legal department is fully
capable of
stopping that activity.

Of course, there are rip off artists out there and it is good to tell
someone who asks
about WinXP Pro from Russia for $25 is a 100% rip-off, but lets not make
Microsoft look like a organized crime outfit that likes to rip off grandma
and grandpa
because they lost their CD which they can get easily replaced from the maker
of the computer.

When I had a defective CD for WinME I called MS to find out what I should
do, they did
not snarl at me that I had to buy a new CD they simply took my information
and
sent me a brand new CD.
 
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