I lost my Windows XP Compact Disc. Help?

2048Megabytes · 04-18-2008, 12:11 AM

I lost my Windows XP Home Edition compact disc. I can't seem to find my key that came with Windows XP but I do have my Windows Confirmation Identification number. Is this enough information to get a replacement Windows XP compact disc from Microsoft?

PC eye · 04-18-2008, 12:29 AM

You lost your installation disk? Where'd you leave it?! You would still end up paying for a new disk even if you had the product key on the same sticker to read off to them. You lose the disk you buy another! Even with a prearranged free upgrade of Windows you would still pay for MS to ship out a full install disk or disk set.

StrangleHold · 04-18-2008, 12:40 AM

What do your mean by compact. Is it a OEM Compaq disk. If so the Pin number should be on the back of the Compaq stack on a sticker. But if it is a Compaq OEM XP disk microsoft isnt going to help, only Compaq/HP.

2048Megabytes · 04-18-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangleHold

What do your mean by compact. Is it a OEM Compaq disk. If so the Pin number should be on the back of the Compaq stack on a sticker. But if it is a Compaq OEM XP disk microsoft isnt going to help, only Compaq/HP.

It was an original equipment manufacturer disc in compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) format. I bought the computer from Totally Awesome Computers. I heard you can get a near free replacement disc once from Microsoft if you had your key. Am I mistaken?

I don't think the original equipment manufacturer will help me as they have gone out of business.

StrangleHold · 04-18-2008, 12:52 AM

You could give Microshaft a call and see what thay say, would not hurt. You might be able to work out some lower cost deal with them. If the computer boots that was installed with that CD you can find the key.

PC eye · 04-18-2008, 01:57 AM

It sounds like that wasn't any branded disk but one the custom builder included since that was the one for the preinstalled OS seen there. Without the original disk in order to perform a repair or full reinstall of XP there you would need a totally new disk onhand.

MS won't replace any disk free simply due to you losing it. That's your headache to them! For obtaining a new license they will readily sell that however. The original builder being "Out of Business" otherwise means you simply buy a new full install disk to use with a totally different product number to start over with.

Simply recovering the product key for a disk you no longer have won't do anything for you. For a Dell, HP/Compaq, Gateway, or other prebuild a rep dealer will simply use the serial number on that particular system to order a replacement recovery disk set that should see all prepackaged softwares included for a prce there.

04-18-2008, 12:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
2048Megabytes Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mainland United States Posts: 858	I lost my Windows XP Compact Disc. Help? I lost my Windows XP Home Edition compact disc. I can't seem to find my key that came with Windows XP but I do have my Windows Confirmation Identification number. Is this enough information to get a replacement Windows XP compact disc from Microsoft? __________________ "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." -- George Washington Operating Systems: 32-bit Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Processor: AMD Athlon 4600+ Dual-Core (2.4 gigahertz) Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-M78SM-S2H Memory: 2 gigabytes of Super Talent PC2-6400 Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Two Hard Drives: Seagate ST380815AS and Western Digital WD800JB-00ETA0, 149 gigabytes

04-18-2008, 12:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,226	You lost your installation disk? Where'd you leave it?! You would still end up paying for a new disk even if you had the product key on the same sticker to read off to them. You lose the disk you buy another! Even with a prearranged free upgrade of Windows you would still pay for MS to ship out a full install disk or disk set. __________________ Turning auto exhaust into a new energy source http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5552209 Ahead of theCurve: Extreme gamers play 45hrs. a week http://blogs.abcnews.com/aheadofthec...extreme-g.html

04-18-2008, 12:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
StrangleHold Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In a realm of unknown Wonders Posts: 7,084	What do your mean by compact. Is it a OEM Compaq disk. If so the Pin number should be on the back of the Compaq stack on a sticker. But if it is a Compaq OEM XP disk microsoft isnt going to help, only Compaq/HP. __________________ NZXT Apollo Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Gigabyte GA MA770 DS3 G Skill DDR2 800 4gb PNY XLR8 8800GT Spinpoint F1 500gb. Too bad stupidity isn't painful.

04-18-2008, 12:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
StrangleHold Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In a realm of unknown Wonders Posts: 7,084	You could give Microshaft a call and see what thay say, would not hurt. You might be able to work out some lower cost deal with them. If the computer boots that was installed with that CD you can find the key. __________________ NZXT Apollo Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Gigabyte GA MA770 DS3 G Skill DDR2 800 4gb PNY XLR8 8800GT Spinpoint F1 500gb. Too bad stupidity isn't painful. Last edited by StrangleHold; 04-18-2008 at 12:55 AM.

04-18-2008, 01:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,226	It sounds like that wasn't any branded disk but one the custom builder included since that was the one for the preinstalled OS seen there. Without the original disk in order to perform a repair or full reinstall of XP there you would need a totally new disk onhand. MS won't replace any disk free simply due to you losing it. That's your headache to them! For obtaining a new license they will readily sell that however. The original builder being "Out of Business" otherwise means you simply buy a new full install disk to use with a totally different product number to start over with. Simply recovering the product key for a disk you no longer have won't do anything for you. For a Dell, HP/Compaq, Gateway, or other prebuild a rep dealer will simply use the serial number on that particular system to order a replacement recovery disk set that should see all prepackaged softwares included for a prce there. __________________ Turning auto exhaust into a new energy source http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Ahe...ory?id=5552209 Ahead of theCurve: Extreme gamers play 45hrs. a week http://blogs.abcnews.com/aheadofthec...extreme-g.html

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