reinstall windows professional with key but no cd !?

Question

how do I reinstall windows professional on my dell computer ? Lost my cd but have the the windows key on the side of my computer ! thank you so much!

Answer 1

Hi,
sorry but you need the disk as well.

Answer 2

You have to have a CD to do the install. The good news is it does not have to be YOUR CD. You can borrow one from a friend, and as long as you have a legal code, you can install from their CD.

Try a non-chain computer store. Often they will have OEM copies of Windows. When they sold the computer, the person did not want the version that came with it, so the dealer kept the CD (but not thekey). You can often get one without a key cheap from them.

Or you contact either Dell or Microsoft. Either will send you a CD without a key for a small fee (usually $10-20).

Answer 3

You can call Dell Customer Support and reorder the OEM Install CD. They will usually ship these to you at no cost.

Additionally, you can find a friend who has a Dell OEM disc for XP Professional. Usually they are purple or green and say Operating System at the top of the disc. Just make sure it isn't a retail copy (one purchased in a store) or else your key won't work. After the install completes and you are prompted for the serial number, just pop in the one on the bottom of your computer.

Best bet though it to probably contact Dell. It only takes a couple of days to get the discs by mail.