Need help getting WIN XP Disc.

[Jsch38]

I am just getting started in the repair business.I need to get a win Xp disc so I can reinstall l it on a customer's laptop. However, the customer does not have their orginial factory reinstall CD or the WIN XP Activation code.
Customer needs WIN XP due to the age of the laptop.
What Can I do ?

 

[Martyn]

I am just getting started in the repair business.I need to get a win Xp disc so I can reinstall l it on a customer's laptop. However, the customer does not have their orginial factory reinstall CD or the WIN XP Activation code.
Customer needs WIN XP due to the age of the laptop.
What Can I do ?

Is the restore partition still intact? Is the coa not on the bottom of the laptop?
What make of laptop is it?

 

[Xander]

Won't help you much now but what I did when I was starting out was ask them for "any original CDs that came with the system". Back then, it was more about getting a driver CD than anything but I also started making copies of various install discs to beef up my library.

I still ask from time to time -- I'd rather have to install an old, working driver for an otherwise unrecognized device than not find one at all.

 

[gikstar]

Are you able to pull out the hard drive, attach it to your bench machine and run 'produkey' on that drive to obtain the O/S key? If you can it will also say if it's Home or Pro Version.

 

[phaZed]

Are you able to pull out the hard drive, attach it to your bench machine and run 'produkey' on that drive to obtain the O/S key? If you can it will also say if it's Home or Pro Version.

+1 for this as well.

 

[ZenTree]

Also check behind the battery for the key if it's not obvious. Not that common with older laptops but worth a shot.

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

Since the Installation media does not matter, as you only need the key, extract the key using Produkey like the others suggested then find a torrent for whichever version of windows xp it is. However, make sure the iso is clean, and that the MD5 sums match. Remember it is only piracy if you use a fake key. I'm sure MS could care less about the installation media.

 

[jdpetrov]

On this topic, is there a place you can go to get PURE ISOs of the media without keys? I've been using modified ISOs from the internet that include extra Windows updates, but I'd prefer to use off-the-shelf fresh-from-microsoft media disks.

Granted, I could go out and buy the stuff, but I'd rather not pay for licenses that I don't need right now. We all know that the value of the software is in the product key anyways.

 

[SmithFamilyDesigns]

On this topic, is there a place you can go to get PURE ISOs of the media without keys? I've been using modified ISOs from the internet that include extra Windows updates, but I'd prefer to use off-the-shelf fresh-from-microsoft media disks.

Granted, I could go out and buy the stuff, but I'd rather not pay for licenses that I don't need right now. We all know that the value of the software is in the product key anyways.

Technet is well worth the investment. There are places that sell media only for a few dollars (frys electronics when they aren't sold out), but that's about it that I know of.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I'm sure MS could care less about the installation media.

Actually, I am sorry to say, but MS, DO care about the installation media.

What we are 'supposed' to do, is ask the client for their recovery disc. If they do not have one, or not made one etc, is to then contact the manufacturer for a recovery disc off them; and use that to install.

IF, it is a retail licence, ie no manufacturer, then you are supposed to contact MS, and get some recovery media off them. You have to quote them the COA details, and then they will either send you a link, or more then likely sell you the recovery media.

We are not allowed to use our own installation media. This is all detailed in
the following thread http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?p=220400#post220400

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

try ebay

you might get it on ebay without the license for a media charge. else google download or file sharing.

You will need every version of XP, Vista and Win7. (Vista premium loads all versions from that media and enables the program based on the CD code)

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

Actually, I am sorry to say, but MS, DO care about the installation media.

What we are 'supposed' to do, is ask the client for their recovery disc. If they do not have one, or not made one etc, is to then contact the manufacturer for a recovery disc off them; and use that to install.

IF, it is a retail licence, ie no manufacturer, then you are supposed to contact MS, and get some recovery media off them. You have to quote them the COA details, and then they will either send you a link, or more then likely sell you the recovery media.

We are not allowed to use our own installation media. This is all detailed in
the following thread http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?p=220400#post220400

I remeber seeing an article about Bryce's onsite tool bag, and it said that he has his own copies of every Windows OS for doing reinstalls.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I remeber seeing an article about Bryce's onsite tool bag, and it said that he has his own copies of every Windows OS for doing reinstalls.

I remember seeing the same article. I have all windows OS for reinstalls. What my post was saying, is what we 'should' be doing, not what we actually do. The should be part, is direct from MS.

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

I remember seeing the same article. I have all windows OS for reinstalls. What my post was saying, is what we 'should' be doing, not what we actually do. The should be part, is direct from MS.

OK, i wasn't sure if everyone here followed MS rules. I thought i committing a crime for a second there.

 

[jeubank]

OK, i wasn't sure if everyone here followed MS rules. I thought i committing a crime for a second there.

Just a quick question - Copyright laws I know expire after a certain time, and if I am correct Patent laws expire as well. Not entirely sure.

Having said that, there is a whole network of people who upload, download, and in some cases make money off of "abandonware". Generally computer games. The abandonware industry generally has a lot of 1995 - 1998 games....

Would it be possible to consider Windows 98 as Abandonware. Especially with the drop of support for that operating system.... So could the same be told true for Windows XP? We are approaching 2012. Would it be possible to consider Windows XP (With its own support now abandoned.) abandonware? if so, it is no longer illegal to download. Right or wrong?