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Thread ID: 96354 2009-01-08 01:38:00 Misplaced my XP Disc - am I stuffed? Chikara (5139) Press F1
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735973 2009-01-08 01:38:00 Hi all,

I was trying to fix a problem I had (Help & Support from Start menu wasn't working), and the solution required access to my original windows CD to reinstall some files.

Now, for the life of me I can't find it anywhere :mad:
I know I had one when I got the PC, and I wouldn't have thrown it away so it must be somewhere around... just can't find it though. Grrrr.

Anyway, I do have my original CD key which is on a sticker on the side of the case - does anyone know if it's possible to get a replacement Win XP Pro CD from Microsoft or elsewhere in situations like this? Obviously I don't want to buy a whole new one with another key.

I know I could probably borrow someone else's CD and use my key with it (that's legal isn't it?) but i don't want to keep on having to do that everytime I need access to the Windows CD.

This is legit, as I said I do have my legitimate CD key, and the original disc that I've misplaced was a genuine disc.

Thanks
Chikara (5139)
735974 2009-01-08 01:43:00 If you have the Product Key sticker on the case then you can use any OEM XP Pro CD.
Someone you know should have one you can take a copy of.
It is legal if you have your own key.
CYaBro (73)
735975 2009-01-08 01:44:00 You can just make a copy of someone else's CD as long as it is the correct version, or Microsoft will send you a new CD for a small charge. Greven (91)
735976 2009-01-08 01:50:00 Oh ok, cool.
Yep, CYaBro, i definitely still have my own product key.
Ill try and borrow someones disc that I can copy (I assume then there's no copy protection on the disc that would stop me making a copy?), otherwise I'll try Microsoft.
Thanks for the help.
Chikara (5139)
735977 2009-01-08 02:23:00 (I assume then there's no copy protection on the disc that would stop me making a copy?),

The protection is the sticker on your PC so any CDwriter software will copy it.
pctek (84)
735978 2009-01-08 02:50:00 ...Microsoft will send you a new CD for a small charge.

$50 ain't a small charge.
bob_doe_nz (92)
735979 2009-01-08 07:23:00 $50?? :eek:
Ouch!
Ok, I'll definitely go with plan 'A' then and try and borrow a disc to copy.
Chikara (5139)
735980 2009-01-08 07:31:00 While your at it you might as well use something like nlite and slipstream the latest updates before burning yourself a new disk. stormdragon (6013)
735981 2009-01-08 21:54:00 While your at it you might as well use something like nlite and slipstream the latest updates before burning yourself a new disk.

I've looked at Nlite in the past, but never done it... I should really investigate that properly. I've got the discs still for Win XP SP2 and SP3, so once I get a copy of the original disc, should I be able to make just one disc that has all those updates included in the installation? What about security updates since SP3, do I need to re-download them, or can I use the files that must be somewhere on my PC already?
I read the NLite guide but it was a bit vague on that part.
Chikara (5139)
735982 2009-01-08 22:05:00 I think you can use cab files for Nlite, but first you have to figure out WHICH cab files

It'll probably be better getting / redownloading the updates after SP3, then slipstreaming all of them
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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