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Reinstalling XP - Lost my CD.

4rch3nemy4rch3nemy Registered User regular
edited September 2008 in Help / Advice Forum
So I'm trying to help out my fasha with reinstalling his OS and he's lost his XP Media Center CD.. he's got the key stickered to the side of his case so there's no worry about him losing that too. Problem is, I don't have any Media Center XP CD's lying around as to use up that really expensive key of his. I don't want to buy a new XP just because he lost his CD, so is there anything I can do here?

I'm not against downloading the CD (if it works) because I do have the key which makes it work and wouldn't count for piracy (would it? if it does I don't want to download it). I'd also have to find that specific CD to download somewhere which might pose another problem.

So what would you do, geeks of H/A?

Thanks in advance for any and all helps.

4rch3nemy on

Posts

  • AtomBombAtomBomb Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    You could try this. I found it under this faq about damaged discs.

    "Alternatively, to obtain a replacement disc call the Microsoft Order Desk at (800) 360-7561 and request a replacement for your damaged disc. If you are outside the United States, contact the Microsoft subsidiary for your area. "

    AtomBomb on
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  • bowenbowen Sup? Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Do you have a friend who has the CD? Do you have your key? As long as your friend has the exact same version of WindowsXP that you had, your CD key should work fine. It has to be the exact same one. OEM will not work with Retail even if they're both SP2.

    bowen on
    not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
  • RookRook Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Doesn't microsoft usually recommend borrowing a copy of hopping on bittorrent to get a replacement copy as the disc itself isn't the copy protection mechanism.

    Rook on
  • bowenbowen Sup? Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Rook wrote: »
    Doesn't microsoft usually recommend borrowing a copy of hopping on bittorrent to get a replacement copy as the disc itself isn't the copy protection mechanism.

    Yes, they do actually. Find yourself a copy that matches yours might be a little tricky.

    bowen on
    not a doctor, not a lawyer, examples I use may not be fully researched so don't take out of context plz, don't @ me
  • 4rch3nemy4rch3nemy Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    I think I might have found a copy on isohunt.com so I'm burning it now.

    Unfortunately none of my friends have media center edition (always pro or home), and getting a replacement from microsoft could take weeks when he has to have his computer up and running today (for business reasons).

    Thanks guys!

    I'll let you know what happens.

    4rch3nemy on
  • RuckusRuckus Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    bowen wrote: »
    Rook wrote: »
    Doesn't microsoft usually recommend borrowing a copy of hopping on bittorrent to get a replacement copy as the disc itself isn't the copy protection mechanism.

    Yes, they do actually. Find yourself a copy that matches yours might be a little tricky.

    A local small computer shop might have a MS ActionPack, it includes the CDROM for XP Media Center and they may lend you or burn you a copy (maybe for free, maybe for a fee)

    Ruckus on
  • 4rch3nemy4rch3nemy Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Downloaded a torrent successfully! Thanks guys, he's back up and running!

    SUCCESS!!!

    4rch3nemy on
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