XP CD backup?

[bboynitrous]

Hey guys, is there any legitimate way to get a copy of the WindowsXP Home Edition CD? I can't seem to find my green sleeve with my cd key and cd and was wondering if there was another way to download or copy it legally? Would it be best to call up Microsoft? I suppose I could just look around the house more throroughly, but I've already looked well enough I think. Any advice would be great.

[djnes]

Assuming you have your key saved, you can even burn a copy of a friend's CD, assuming it's the same kind as your original (OEM, retail, etc). If you got it from an OEM, like HP or DELL, you could ask them for replacement media. If not, you can go straight to Microsoft, and I believe you can pay a small fee for replacement media as well.

[bboynitrous]

I bought xp retail about 3 years ago for my custom setup in the sig. Really surprised it's missing as it's usually on my shelf with my DVD's. I still have my cd key saved. I used to reinstall so many times that I know half of it by heart though. I don't need to reinstall it yet, but I was hoping i'd find my cd before I did. I'm a little scared because I still dont' know where it's at. THanks for the help though djnes.

Maybe i'll have to upgrade to Vista before I need to reinstall hah.
:D

[Catweazle]

Verify your CD key first. If you've written it down be sure you haven't made any mistakes.

Belarc Advisor (www.belarc.com/download) will report your Windows CD key from your installation. It's in the registry, but encrypted so you need a tool to report it and that one's as good as any.


Burn a copy of a friend's XP to use if you need to reinstall. If it's the same type as yours (i.e Home or Professional, retail or OEM, Full or upgrade) then you can use your own CD key to intall it. If it's a different type then you'll need to use the friend's CD key to install, and then choose to Activate by telephone, and make use of the 'Change CD key' feature when you activate the installation. The Activation people will need only the straight and simple explanation of what you've done. It's perfectly legitimate to use someone else's physical CD to install with, as long as you attach the product key which relates to your own legitimate license for the software.

[bboynitrous]

Damn, alright that Belarch's program works. My friends don't have a copy of home though, one has a copy of Pro, but not home. Hmm.. I made a copy a long time ago, but I don't know where that's at either. Oh well, thanks for the help anyway guys, hopefully my sparkly original will show up somewhere.

[2gigs]

All i can say is its legitimate in a snese for you to download it becuase you own that copy


Or, if you go to college, usaully they have copies you can buy for like 10 dollars

[Volucris]

You know already that you have purchased XP Home Edition.
Don't bother with downloading it or anything. I've found the easiest way is to just find the damn disc. Seriously, it's an xp disc, it's bound to be somewhere.