I have the original product key for my windows Xp home edition which is sticked to my laptop. Now i want to format it but, i done have the Home edition CD. Can i download it from internet and use my product key to install windows?????
2007-02-05 08:39:26 · 7 answers · asked by Pawan 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Programming & Design
Microsoft directs that if you have lost your original installation media, that you contact your OEM if you received Windows as part of an OEM install; or, if you purchased a retail version of Windows, Microsoft will replace lost product discs for a small fee.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=326246
Of course, we all know you are not asking how to steal software, as that would be in violation of the community guidelines and the Yahoo! TOS, not to mention dumb and beneath you.
Note to previous answerers: Windows XP discs are not keyed to individual machines or serial numbers.
It's a physical impracticality for Microsoft to do that; there are hundreds of millions of Windows discs in the world, and keying each one to a specific name or serial number would be beyond onerous.
Instead, once you install Windows XP and use your product code to validate it, Windows collects information about the hardware in your computer and generates another key (often called a dongle, even though it isn't really a dongle, per se) based on that equipment, which is then transmitted to Microsoft.
Every time you try to activate or patch your copy of Windows, Microsoft gets that dongle, generated when you first installed Windows XP, and compares it to the key sent, once again, by your computer, when you are activating for a second time, or are trying to get an update.
If the dongle your computer sends doesn't match the dongle Microsoft has on file for the Windows registration number you entered, then your copy of Windows will not validate as genuine, and you cannot patch or reactivate Windows.
That's why many people complain that upgrading your hardware can cause activation issues if you ever re-install Windows after the upgrade; a new dongle is generated every time you reinstall Windows, and it may well be different than the original dongle if you've made hardware changes since the first install.
It's also why you can't use someone else's product key to install Windows on your PC; it won't authenticate because the dongle your PC creates won't be the same as the other person's dongle, even if they contain identical parts. The reason for that is technical, and I won't bore you with the details.
Leave it at this: Please don't spread misinformation as fact. If you don't know, don't speak. Thank you.
2007-02-05 13:50:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
contrary to popular belief, there is not specific key code for any windows CD. I used to build computers as a hobby (and small moneymaker), I one time ordered 15 OEM copies of Windows XP Home, and recieved ONE cd, and 15 COA's. with 15 unique key codes. Also, if you read some fine print somewhere in your Windows owner's manual it states that you can buy additional licenses...this is what they mean. So, the answer is, YES you can download XP home from the internet and use it with your existing key code. You can also simply borrow the disk from a friend...just remember it has to be the same version. A home edition Key will not work with a Pro edition disc, and vice versa.
2007-02-07 03:12:22 · answer #2 · answered by Ritchie B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends... If you bought the brand-name laptop from a store, you will need to get an OEM disc. You can't just download any version of XP Home and use your license key. It has to be specific to your brand of laptop you use.
Best way to get one is to call your brand's phone number and order a set of recovery discs from there.
2007-02-05 09:04:20 · answer #3 · answered by dawpa2000 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It still won't match the product key with the illegal copy of XP you are looking to download.
2007-02-05 08:43:32 · answer #4 · answered by Carella 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
most likely not. Each copy is given a UNIQUE license key code. Purchase it from your local computer store, or take your computer to a local technician.
2007-02-05 08:47:09 · answer #5 · answered by Richard H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could, just find a torrent site that has one.
But it sounds like your pc either has a partion with the rescue
disk, or you need to make your own rescue disk, HP,s
have both.
2007-02-05 08:46:24 · answer #6 · answered by rodjared 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it needs the ethernet driver. go to the site of the motherboard that you have. get the LAN/ethernet driver. install it on the desktop. from there you can just use the device manager to locate all the missing drivers
2016-05-24 19:14:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋