I bought a Windows XP CD from Microsoft a couple of years back. I have also registered it online. A couple of days back I was trying to reinstall my OS and I realized that I had lost the CD. Is there any way I can get a replacement for the CD, I am ready to pay any nominal amount for the same? Fortunately I have the CD Key in case that helps.
Any suggestions on whom I should be contacting?
Well, for installation key, u can view your keys by softwares such as tune up or tweakxp. For creating an installation cd:
*www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
call microsoft on their help line numbers and see what those people say. i have the number for the MS Connect its 1600-11-11-00 or 011-26292640
If u have the key just any CD will do.... it's not the CD that makes it legal... but the key... just use ur key in any CD that is not OEM or unattended setup .....
Still for ur information u are entitled to get a CD from them if u damage ur previos one....i dont know about loosing...
this holds for any software you purchase let me tell you....(there can be exceptions....so dont quote me on this), but most companies give the CD's again if u damage old ones...
Losing a CD is mistake from Customer end. For issues like product faliure, you get a replacement. but not when Customer loses one. So kotuday sorry to say but you have no way to get one from MS.
Ya as saurav and others say..get one from your frnd..but use your Product Key.
if ur old key doesnt work it can mean only one thing
that ur copy of windows was pirated to begin with
but since u say u bought a legal copy , temme what exact msg do u get ! ?
cuz even the oldest key , IF legal , HAS to work on an xp installation !
Or simply get a WIN XP CD from any of your friend and install using your CD key !!!
first of all when kotuday said he has the cd key, there is no need to tell him ways how to retreive his cd key.
The second problem your cd key is not working.
As most of us know XP comes in three packages.
1. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
2. Retail
3. VLK (Corporate)
Despite, their same beahviour, the product keys (cd keys) are not exchangeable. ie; you can't use an oem or retail version key for corporate version.
As u r saying u have legal windows, it should either be oem or retail. and if it was bundled with ur branded pc, it is oem, else it wud be retail. Other way to find if you have oem version is right click My computer. Select properties. Here, in the Registered to section in the general tab, check your product key. (Actually this is the product key, and
xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx is the cd key).
In this key, if you find ur product key something like xxxx-OEM-xxxxxxx-xxxxx, u r using oem version. I can't give ne hints here for retail version. Sorry for that.
Individuals dont buy corporate versions.
But if ur friend is using a pirated version, 99% chances are he is using a corporate version of XP. and ur key is either for oem or retail version and it is definitely not going to work. So, u will have to borrow a cd from such a friend who has the same version (oem for oem or retail for retail). i am not sure whether oem verin and retail version keys can be used interchangeably. U can give it a try.
And if you want a replacement, you can try contacting Microsoft. No idea whether they will issue u a replacement or not. But no harm in giving it a try. And if you got the cd with a branded pc, you can try contacting your hardware store if they can help. They wont give u original copy. But can manage to make a copy for you.
Hope this help you
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