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need a windows instal cd
Grimm
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Is it possible to just buy a windows install cd cheap if you already have the license key? I want to format my laptop but don't have any system restore cds. Also, i remember people talking about making custom windows install cds that you could include all your settings, 3rd party programs, drivers, etc. Where can i find more information on those?
Grimm on
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http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml
I will look it up, thanks. I don't have any friends with the install i need. Either way, i would like to have my own so i don't have to waste days trying to get it off of someone since i live about an hour away from most of my friends.
Never thought to try that. Its a gateway laptop i bought a couple years ago. My main concern is getting a install disc for this computer which has windows xp media center edition but i would also like to know how to get discs in general. I'm gonna end up needing one for xp pro on my desktop pretty soon too. You cant just call up microsoft and have them mail out a cd?
Yes it's possible to get a Windows CD without a key, but it will cost money regardless. Copies of such media are restricted to companies/entities with a "right to copy" agreement for Microsoft software, and then they have specific volume licenses for use by their employee's/staff. I do however doubt you are in that position... so your best bet is to see about getting the media from the laptop manufacturer. That's the best bet with laptops anyways, it's pretty common for them to have some really hard to find drivers that are either needed on install or make your life miserable to do without post installation.
As for slipstreaming... this is not worth your time unless you are installing on several systems at the same time, or will be resintalling everything on your one pc lots and lots of times. That's a practice that is used in IT shops because it makes installing the OS on dozens to thousands of nearly identical systems a painless process. In order for it to be worthwhile it needs to be updated.... not much sense making a custom installer to save time, then still needing to spend 3 hours post install running the 2 years worth of updates it's now missing.
Not really, it's just as illegal unless he has the original copy. It's like downloading a copy of an album you owned years ago and lost. As far as MS goes, they don't seem to care that much unless you are using a pirated Key of course, but none the less, they have a totally difference license for companies and the like being able to use copies of the software (aside from the fair use argument of course).
That's what I did when my wife's laptop harddrive crash. I saw it as no different as borrowing a friend's disk - maybe the legalities are sketchy because for a brief moment we were technically sharing the disk image with others, but it was the easiest thing for us to do at the time.
Same thing happened with my fiancee's laptop, and this was the only reasonable option to recover before she had to use it for school.
Mods: This thread seems to be becoming borderline against the rules. Its not my intent for this to happen so if you feel the need to lock this, i understand and offer my apologies.
That's inaccurate, if you read MS's agreement, it specifies you cannot copy or distribute the media. The fact that they rarely enforce it doesn't mean it's legal, they just make their money from the licenses so generally turn a blind eye to copied media. None the less, they have an entire subset of licensing specifically for those who wish to distribute their own versions, hence "volume licensing". You get 1 key/set of keys and the right to distribute the OS however you see fit within the terms of that agreement... but that doesn't filter down to the normal end user.
*edit*
And as a side note.. while I would not advocate downloading the software, I will say that if you get your hands on a disk and have your own key... the chances that anyone would come down on you for installing it on anything save a branded MS certified piece of circular plastic that is yours and yours alone are pretty infinitesimal.
How to replace Microsoft software or hardware, order service packs and product upgrades, and replace product manuals
I don't believe it - I'm on my THIRD PS3, and my FIRST XBOX360. What the heck?
So far it just looks like you can order service pack updates and not the entire operating system. That link is kinda confusing but i'm looking through it. Thanks
There is a link there for information in case you have an OEM system in which the OEM seller no longer exists. You enter in the Information you have, etc etc.
Towards the top it basically tells you to contact the OEM vendor for software/media replacement. In your case that would be Gateway.
I've never had to deal with Gateway support, so I have no idea what you would expect. But it leaves you in the same spot as you were to start.. either Gateway will be able to help you out in one fashion or another, or you will have to find another disk elsewhere.