Obtaining OEM CDs for OS Re-Installs

[Danubar]

Is there a way to obtain, legally, OEM CDs from HP, Dell, etc. for reloading the OS on systems?

I have had to reload the OS on several Dells and everytime the person had the original CDs that came with the system. But, what if the person had lost the CDs (or CDs were not included) and the HDD was toast, thus preventing using the recovery partition.

How could I obtain the proper OEM CD from the manufacturer so I could install a new HDD and re-load the OS for the person?

Also, if I was to legitimately obtain a Dell XP Pro CD (for example) would that CD be able to be used on any Dell system in which the OS needed to be re-loaded?

Or to be able to obtain these CDs for use, do I have to be certified with Dell, HP, etc.?

Thank you for any information you can pass along concerning these questions.

 

[Bodaggit23]

The original owner should be able to contact the manufacturer and get the discs, most likely for a fee.

No, one OEM copy of XP will not work on just any computer. The discs are
tailored to the specific hardware.

 

[Danubar]

Thank you very much for the quick reply.

I was afraid that was how it worked. What a pain in the butt.

 

[Bodaggit23]

It shouldn't be too terrible.

Just don't make the phone call on a lunch break.