I lost all my cd's that originally came with the computer and I dont know of any other way to format my computer...
is there another way?
also, if any of my housemates have their XP Pro cd, can i use that cd and my original product key for Windows XP to format and reinstall Windows on my computer?

8/23/2006 7:17:17 PM

you can use any number of free tools to format a hdd, however you will need a windows xp cd to put windows xp back on the machine.

The problem with using another person's cd is that it might not match your key. You see there are different key types for different media. This is especially true for OEMs. If your computer came from dell and your friend's winxp cd came from HP theres a chance it wont let you install using that key.

But then again some times it does work.

Its really hit or miss. If it was a retail microsoft cd you could buy a replacement from microsoft for like $15. Or you could maybe find a copy online. Not that thats entirely legal, but if you have a legit cd key and you just need the media I dont think its that huge of a deal.

If the cd came with an OEM system like from dell, holla at your manufacturer and tell them to send you a restore cd. They might try to charge you a fee, but you could probably talk them out of it.

And then you can always try your housemate's cd. If it doesn't work, though, you're computer will be SOL until you can find the correct media for your key.

8/23/2006 7:32:10 PM

Is it illegal if you were to install your roommate's copy of XP and use their key because yours didn't work (like Shaggy said with different types of media), and then call Microsoft and activate the product using your product key on the side of the computer?

8/23/2006 7:39:28 PM

Quote :

"Is it illegal if you were to install your roommate's copy of XP and use their key because yours didn't work "

when did he say he was gonna use his roomates key?


and assuming you got your key with your computer, you need to install the OEM version of Windows XP Professional.

The only place I've seen that version available for download is thru the bit torrent network:
http://www.torrentz.com/torrent_216689.html
http://www.mininova.org/tor/383378

I've used these kinds of tools (for installing windows) for years with great success.

8/23/2006 8:57:49 PM

^^ you got it,, just install normally then activate over the tele with microsoft, read them YOUR key on the side of your computer, they will give you a number to enter and you are golden. I have done it plenty of times, unless you are instally XPpro vs home. good luck

8/23/2006 9:21:33 PM

Quote :

"you got it...just install normally then activate over the tele with microsoft, read them YOUR key on the side of your computer, they will give you a number to enter and you are golden. I have done it plenty of times, unless you are instally XPpro vs home. good luck"

activation isnt the problem, installation is.

he can't install it unless he has the correct media to match his key. he'll have to call to activate no matter how he gets it installed (unless he gets a retore cd from dell...then he prob wont have to activate)

8/23/2006 10:19:15 PM

Quote :

"when did he say he was gonna use his roomates key?"

he didn't. i was just saying that if that's what he had to do, would that still be illegal to use the roommate's product key to install it (if his OEM key didn't work with the roommate's XP CD), and then use his key for the activation?

8/24/2006 12:07:29 AM

If its a compac(hp) then there might be a program in the start menu that will let you burn a copy of the restore cd. I had to do this for my girlfriend. I called up HP and they wanted to charge me $35 for a copy of the restore cd. I has like ninja please... So I did some more research and found out I could burn it myself. Not sure if other computers have the same software.

^ How does the type of media matter if you wipe the whole hard drive and reinstall windows? The activation is where you have to do it over the phone.

8/24/2006 7:37:55 AM

Quote :

"^ How does the type of media matter if you wipe the whole hard drive and reinstall windows?"

there are a bunch of different version of windows xp:

retail box
upgrade
oem
msdn
academic
etc

a key for a certain version of xp will not work when trying to install windows with the media from a different version (with rare exceptions). if he has an oem key (aka it came with his computer) then he needs to get that windows 9 in 1 i posted above and install with that...if he has no luck getting a restore cd or whatever from the vendor.

i prefer using the windows 9 in 1 anyways tho, cause thats a clean install of xp. versus a compaq or whoever restore cd putting all kinds of crap on your pc which you in turn have to clean off...which leaves remnants behind slowing everything down etc

8/24/2006 9:39:32 AM

ah, ya i gotcha. i misunderstood what you were saying and forgot you have to input the cd key before installing, way before activation is even an issue.

8/24/2006 11:03:04 AM

The legal and easy answer to this is to call whoever the manufacturer of your PC is, and get a new set of restore disks.

At most they will charge you 15 bucks, and generally if you ask nicely, they wont even charge you

8/24/2006 12:17:58 PM

^ i dont see why using the 9 in 1 to install windows isn't legal.

you pay for the license (represented by the key) when you purchase windows. whatever media you use shouldn't be a legality issue as long as you are using the key you paid for.

[Edited on August 24, 2006 at 12:36 PM. Reason : ]

8/24/2006 12:36:35 PM