I lost my XP disc

OtistheGuard

I want to reformat my drive, I have numerous security problems, and I can't find my boot disc. Is there a way to use someone else's disc to install the OS? I still have the reg keys stickered on my tower, and it's a completely legal copy.

Thanks.

LoveIsUnity

Just make sure the OS your friend has is the same OS you have a key for. If the key on your tower is for XP Home Edition make sure you're installing XP Home. I don't believe there are any legalities involved in using someone else's disc as long as you have your own key.

Q_Prime

also make sure yours isnt the oem version while his is the full retail. even if yours and his both say windows xp home, they need to be the exact same version, service pack 2 keys will not work with original versions of xp. the best thing to do is attempt to install xp from within a running copy of windows, then try to preform an upgrade using your key and his disc.

Fibretip

if it turns out that you have OEM and nobody else does... you can call microsoft up and tell them the company you bought the pc from never gave you the backup cds, and they will take your reg number from the case and for a small price (about £20 here in the uk) you can order a new cd with a new key.

that's what happened to me anyway.s

Deusfaux

i havent heard of "SP2 keys"

for a fact i know sp1 era keys will work on sp2 discs, I don't guess it's any different the other way around

but yes, version of windows, and type of release (retail vs oem vs corporate/volume) must be the same

FyreWulff

SP2 keys will not work on SP1 discs. I know because I've already tried it.

The workaround is to install SP1 into "trial mode" (by giving it a valid SP1 key but not allowing it to activate), and then activate with the SP2 key.