XP CD (with new pc)

[springbokkie]

Well I have an XP cd here I found in one of the boxes I been going through. But the CD doesn't have a key. The key was on the computer (that was hit by lightning). May I still use the CD to load the OS?

Will Windows supply me with an key?

If they don't and I get a key from warez, am I as guilty as anyone using a pirate?

 

[bwana]

AFAIK you need to have a legitimate serial number. You could try M$oft but I envisage a "sure thing buddy, like we havent heard that before. . . . "

When you say the key was on the computer do you mean in the form of a sticker?

 

[supersunbird]

The CD is nothing, it's the little sticker that's all important. You can use any CD to install XP with the same flavour (home or pro)...

 

[stefan9]

It's probaly an oem key. which means that you can use the one that was on the box but to activate you are going to have to call ms and convince them they need to give you a activation key.

 

[springbokkie]

It was on the box in the form of a sticker.
I have paid for this, so why can't I use it again if the previous HD failed and this is not on any other machine?

 

[Gunny]

So you still have the case and the sticker is on it ? then by all means use the key on the case.

 

[supersunbird]

If it was just the harddrive that failed you should still have the sticker on your current box?

 

[springbokkie]

I thought the XP cd was lost aswell. Just found it, Version 2002.

That case never came with me to JHB. AFAIK we claimed a HD, Moterboard ect.

I bought a whole new setup.

 

[springbokkie]

Okay I went a search for a key - don't feel guilty.

Wonder if they will activate it for me?

 

[Nod]

Neighbour lost his XP CD, Microsoft told him he needed to buy a new CD, they do not provide replacements. He got a replacement from a contact in Microsoft for R100. It's ridicules.

 

[springbokkie]

but I just lost my sticker

 

[Nod]

but I just lost my sticker

I think they mention to not lose the sticker, or CD for that matter. There is not a lot of options open to you. Only two I can think off.

 

[nivek]

Neighbour lost his XP CD, Microsoft told him he needed to buy a new CD, they do not provide replacements. He got a replacement from a contact in Microsoft for R100. It's ridicules.

Most distributors provide replacement disks for between R70 and R100..

 

[PeterCH]

Maybe it's possible to read the key off the CD, if its stored there.
Google for it.....

 

[PeterCH]

Neighbour lost his XP CD, Microsoft told him he needed to buy a new CD, they do not provide replacements. He got a replacement from a contact in Microsoft for R100. It's ridicules.

Which is what's evil about Microsoft. They want to treat the software
as a licence, but then charge you a premium for the media (ie a CD-ROM)
- it costs cents to make a CD-ROM and a few bucks to ship it across,
they should charge a shipping fee only - but you know MS wants to
make $$$ everywhere, that's why Bill Gates is the richest man in the world.

It's a lesson, forget MS. Switch to Linux or go the Apple route. Apple
doesn't have any Activation BS and their full version operating systems
cost 1/3 of what MS charges (you get 5 licences too), plus its
a superior system to Vista/XP.

 

[GTi]

Which is what's evil about Microsoft. They want to treat the software
as a licence, but then charge you a premium for the media (ie a CD-ROM)
- it costs cents to make a CD-ROM and a few bucks to ship it across,
they should charge a shipping fee only - but you know MS wants to
make $$$ everywhere, that's why Bill Gates is the richest man in the world.

It's a lesson, forget MS. Switch to Linux or go the Apple route. Apple
doesn't have any Activation BS and their full version operating systems
cost 1/3 of what MS charges (you get 5 licences too), plus its
a superior system to Vista/XP.

But the machines cost an arm and a leg.Expensive.

 

[stefan9]

Which is what's evil about Microsoft. They want to treat the software
as a licence, but then charge you a premium for the media (ie a CD-ROM)
- it costs cents to make a CD-ROM and a few bucks to ship it across,
they should charge a shipping fee only - but you know MS wants to
make $$$ everywhere, that's why Bill Gates is the richest man in the world.

It's a lesson, forget MS. Switch to Linux or go the Apple route. Apple
doesn't have any Activation BS and their full version operating systems
cost 1/3 of what MS charges (you get 5 licences too), plus its
a superior system to Vista/XP.

But and this the big but neither of those have the gaming support that the windows pc has.

 

[killadoob]

phone microsoft and tell them you upgraded

dont tell details about anything, just tell them u need to validate, they will ask how many pc's its loaded on and all you have to do is say 1

then you get your number

you can also use this method to load xp on more than 1 pc