Windows Install Cd's

[Jimmystechrepair]

I have searched the web, done days of research, even called Microsoft MSDN and still feel empty handed. Very unfortunately I cannot find a legitimate route for obtaining an entire set of windows installation CD's for reformatting a customers computer. I don't mind buying them, but of course I cannot buy all of them at full retail at $200 a piece. Can I purchase just the CD's without the licence key anywhere??

Also am I missing any relevant versions of windows cds in this list ?

XP Home 32-bit OEM
XP Home 32-bit Retail
XP Home 64-bit OEM
XP Home 64-bit Retail
XP Pro 32-bit OEM
XP Pro 32-bit Retail
XP Media Center Edition OEM
Vista Basic OEM
Vista Basic Retail
Vista Premium OEM
Vista Premium Retail
Vista Business OEM
Vista Business Retail
7 Home OEM
7 Home Retail
7 Professional OEM
7 Professional Retail
7 Ultimate OEM
7 Ultimate Retail

Man thats a lot of CD's. I hope someone can point me in a better direction than having to pirate them.

Thanks
James

 

[Martyn]

Technet for retail version.

 

[Jimmystechrepair]

I was seriously considering that, but when I contacted Microsoft to get more details on if there was a difference between the technet cds and the retail cds they were vague. Are they indeed full retail versions that I can use the customers retail key with for reinstalls?

And can I use the retail cds with OEM reinstalls or will it get stuck at the product key?

 

[Jimmystechrepair]

Oh, and thanks for the quick reply !

 

[cpalmer2k]

TechNet is definitely a good starting point, remember that with Vista and Windows 7 all you have to do is remove the ei.cfg file and you have one DVD that will install any retail version of those OS's.

 

[Jimmystechrepair]

I am going to sign up on Monday and I will let everyone know how it goes. Does anyone know the specifics on what the best route for the OEM versions will be?

 

[ajc196]

Just a few tips:

1. For XP, you only need to get one or the other (retail vs OEM). You can change the PID of an OEM disc to make it take retail keys, and vice versa.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/...etween-retail-oem-and-volume-license-channel/

2. For Vista and 7, you will only need an Ultimate retail for 32 and 64 bit flavors. The Vista Ultimate will take keys for any edition(Home/Bus/Ult) for both OEM and retail. Same for 7, but you have to edit one file and recompile the image.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/...ction-on-install-with-ei-cfg-removal-utility/

3. I really doubt you'll need XP retail much, I've needed it only once in the past 2 years and I work on dozens of XP machines a week. 99.9% of what you come across is going to be OEM, but as I mentioned before, you can change the PID and make a retail disc if you do ever need one.

4. You will have to do the PID change if you want a true OEM XP Media Center. You'll only come across retail images on the likes of TechNet and eBay. Technically, Pro discs will use Media Center keys, but several OS functions, IE, Media Center, and WMP can quickly go awry if you start slipstreaming service packs and updates...

 

[Jimmystechrepair]

That is perfect. I have been on the site for months and thought of asking a few times and am really glad that I did. That will really streamline a lot of work arounds that I have had to do.

 

[datadatau]

Tech Net retail version.

Do a search for coupon codes, you can usually find one that will give you a discount that makes it worth while. I found one a while back that allows the upgrade to premium from the standard level.

You will have two options, download only, or with media. I find the download is not that bad, just need to kick it off and save the files. I use to get all of the media with my MSDN developer edition and it was always a bunch of DVD's to deal with.

Enjoy.

 

[Martyn]

I signed up for Technet about 3 months ago and I'm really pleased with what I got. I've downloaded all the OS's I wanted, I think about 20gig and run about 7 different VMs on my desktop. Don't forget you can use 10 licences of each version for your own testing

I thought there is/was a deal I saw on here recently for people in the US that didn't apply elsewhere?

 

[xxsilk109xx]

I have technet and downloaded the ultimate version of 7 and vista and just changed the config file so that it makes it a master disk, I have one for 32 and 64 bit

I also have a 9 in 1 windows xp disk (32 bit) that has all the xp versions on it. So really, you only need about 5 disks in all.

 

[Coffee is good :)]

I also have a 9 in 1 windows xp disk (32 bit) that has all the xp versions on it. So really, you only need about 5 disks in all.

Did you torrent that????

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

If you do get them from torrents, test them on a test pc, and check the md5 sums to make sure it hasn't been tampered with.

 

[Coffee is good :)]

If you do get them from torrents, test them on a test pc, and check the md5 sums to make sure it hasn't been tampered with.

But it's illegal?

... filler... dots....

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

But it's illegal?

... filler... dots....

It's only illegal if you use an illegal product key, since you just need the install media, you are going to use the customer's product key. Remember it's the license, not the disc.

 

[RegEdit]

I buy copies on Ebay, copy 'em, then turn around a resell them for about what I paid for them.

 

[ProTech Support]

I also have a 9 in 1 windows xp disk (32 bit) that has all the xp versions on it. So really, you only need about 5 disks in all.

Same here, that CD saved my life. Was such a great find.

 

[othersteve]

Same here, that CD saved my life. Was such a great find.

Would you guys mind pointing me in the right direction on this one? I can't seem to Google it, and it'd sure be useful...

Thanks.

 

[JosephH]

Just to bump on the 9 in 1 disc, I've done a good bit of searching for it but can't find a reliable download?

 

[JosephH]

Found a link, downloading now don't know if it is reliable will post here in awhile with how I get on and a link (if thats allowed?)