Windows XP Home...Disc Needed...Help

[tracyh]

Hi,

I have a PC that I need to reformat, the PC has the product key on it to activate Windows XP Home (this was on the PC when bought)

The problem I have is I have lost my Windows XP Home disc that came with the PC and so now I cant do a format on the PC.

Does anyone know where I can now get a replacement disc to do this (or could anyone copy me one and send it to me) I'm assuming this could be done as XP Home was payed for when the PC was bought and I just need the actual disc (like I say, I still have a valid product key that I am using)

Without a disc I have a PC that Windows has been payed for on and its completly useless.

Oh and this is, Windows XP Home, SP 2 edition.

Any help or ideas.

[Octal]

It's illegal to copy disks.

Was it a restore disk? If it was you may be able to purchase a new one from where you purchased the computer from because the copy of XP will be licensed to them. If it was a full version of XP then you'll have to purchase a new disk, sorry Tracy, not the news you wanted to hear.

[tracyh]

It's illegal to copy disks.

Was it a restore disk? If it was you may be able to purchase a new one from where you purchased the computer from because the copy of XP will be licensed to them. If it was a full version of XP then you'll have to purchase a new disk, sorry Tracy, not the news you wanted to hear.

As far as I was aware, its not illegal to copy a disc if you own the licence to it (ie, you can back up a disc you own)

I own the licence to the version of Windows that was on my PC (like I say, I have the product key on the side of the PC)

The PC is Dell and Dell would have replaced the missing disc for free (if it was under warranty) but its nearly 2 years old and so they wont, they said it is perfectly legal to borrow a disc to reformat as the licence was paid for with the PC.

[mcknigma]

Some PC's also have the image files stored on the hard disk and holding the required sequence of keys at boot will send the PC into a restore to factory settings mode.

Be careful though as this usually means you will loose all your files

[tracyh]

Some PC's also have the image files stored on the hard disk and holding the required sequence of keys at boot will send the PC into a restore to factory settings mode.

Be careful though as this usually means you will loose all your files

Our 2nd PC has this, it has a small partition on the hard drive (about 6GB with all the files and such on there) this one however is a little older and doesnt and so I need the actual disc :(

[mcknigma]

Our 2nd PC has this, it has a small partition on the hard drive (about 6GB with all the files and such on there) this one however is a little older and doesnt and so I need the actual disc :(

Sent you a PM :)

[Sean_and_Sue]

Microsoft may be your best bet, just explain your problem. I've always found them helpful when reinstalling XP on the PC when I've installed a new bit of kit.