2007-05-15 06:01:37 · 6 answers · asked by Dar R 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
dending on what brand of computer you have you might have a restore partition. I know dell and HP have em.
2007-05-15 06:09:36 · answer #1 · answered by ewtaylor2001 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If Windows XP came "bundled" with your computer, you will have to contact the seller, identify yourself, and see if they will sell you Win on a CD.
If you have a "borrowed" copy, you are out of luck. Here's why:
“When you buy Windows XP in a shrink-wrapped box, you are allowed to install one copy on one PC. When Windows comes pre-installed on a new PC, it stays with the PC. You cannot transfer it from the bundled machine to a different machine. MS uses a technique called “BIOS locking” to make sure the copy stays ties to that specific PC forever.
Windows installer makes you type the 25-character code that’s printed on the case. The Product Activation program looks at various serial numbers inside your PC – the processor, network card, disk drives, etc. – mixes them together, and produces a second 25 character code that identifies your PC. These 50 characters, together, are called the Installation ID.
When you activate XP, you give MS the 50-character Installaton ID. If nobody else activated that 25-character code or if it has been activated with that specific Installation ID (which means you activated this particular copy of XP from the same PC twice) MS send back a 42-character Confirmation ID. The Installation ID and the Confirmation ID are stored on our PC.
If that 25-character code has been already been used on a different PC you will be notified that the number of times you can activate Windows with this product key has been exceeded.”
Source: paraphrased from p. 18, Windows Gigabook for Dummies, by Peter Weverka et al.
2007-05-15 06:12:07 · answer #2 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you purchased your computer new - contact your manufacturer and ask why they did not provide you with a CD.
If not - you need to buy the FULL version - not the updates - and you can try any business local to you that sells software. If you can find the FULL version for less than $200.00 US - your're getting a good deal.
Remember - there are smaller versions meant to only update existing XP programs... to uninstall and re-install, you need the WHOLE program.
Also - the program is a one shot deal. It will not allow you to have it on more than one computer. If you get someone else's disc, Microsoft will identify it's use as being pirated and you will not be allowed any of the upgrades or security patches necessary to maintain the computer.
Peace.
2007-05-15 06:08:54 · answer #3 · answered by Depoetic 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can always borrow a copy from someone and use your product key or
You can learn how to torrent and never buy software again.
www.mininova.org
www.demonoid.com
www.isohunt.com
use clients to download the files
www.utorrent.com
www.bitcomit.com
www.azerus.com
2007-05-15 06:12:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your best choice would be to buy one. u can't get it from a friend.
2007-05-15 06:08:40 · answer #5 · answered by bob_7_5 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy it.
2007-05-15 06:06:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋