lost xp disk

  • Thread starter Thread starter jlm
  • Start date Start date
J

jlm

Hello I purchased a computer about two years ago. with ms xp installed
and with a disk. I lost the disk and would like to reinstall xp
software. the copy I lost is on the computer I will be formatting.
when I go to control-system the xp disk is registered in my name and
has a number under it. my question is can I use a disk from my other
xp machine and install it using the info from the formatted machine?
or how do you replace a lost disk when all you have is the info on the
machine that I will be reformatting?

thanks
 
jlm wrote:
> Hello I purchased a computer about two years ago. with ms xp installed
> and with a disk. I lost the disk and would like to reinstall xp
> software. the copy I lost is on the computer I will be formatting.
> when I go to control-system the xp disk is registered in my name and
> has a number under it. my question is can I use a disk from my other
> xp machine and install it using the info from the formatted machine?
> or how do you replace a lost disk when all you have is the info on the
> machine that I will be reformatting?
>
> thanks

You will be able to use the CD from the other machine PROVIDED it is the
same version as is on the machine you wish to format. That is to say XP
Pro-XP Pro, XP Home - XP Home, Retail - Retail, OEM-OEM, Specific OEM (eg HP
Dell etc) to the same specific OEM edition.

If the two versions are not the same then you will need to either contact
the manufacturer for replacement CDs (if OEM) or Microsoft (if Retail) or
purchase a new copy.

If the two verions are the same you will need to have your Product Key, this
should be on a sticker on your computer, if not then you will need to
recover your Product Key from the current install on the machine you want to
reformat, use Belarc Advisor ( Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit
(version 7.0t)
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html )to retreive your key, this will
also tell you what hardware you heve installed You will slos need your
driver CDs for your motherboard, video adaptor, sound card etc.

These links may help :-

How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/en-us

How to install or upgrade to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941

Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
 
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