Do i have to buy XP..

.. again, when i bought my pc it came with XP pre-installed - but no CD, i asked the guy at the store, what happens if i need to format, he said find a CD - not great advice but pc was a one day cheap special or some ****. Anyway, im tempted to download it on warez and install that, is this legal since i own a pre-installed version?

Edit: Ive got the windows xp home booklet and the other rubbish that came with it.

 

Hi Andrew,

As far as i know, as long as you have the serial number you used the first time its perfectly fine if you use another cd to install XP, although I could be wrong.

Some computers come with the sticker of the serial number on the back of the pc, so if you dont it you could give that a try.

Hope this helps.

 

To the best of my knowledge, the store where you bought your PC from, assuming is is a real store OWES you a CD, or some means of restoring your OS. You have paid for the copy of Windows that is on your machine, or at least paid for the license, which authorizes you to be able to reinstall it on the same machine at your leasure... There should also be a sticker on the outside of the machine with the OEM Serial # and Key Code. If there is no CD and no Key code sticker, you need to consider bringing the machine back to the place of purchase all the time screeming references to fraud, software piracy, BBB and maybe suing someone.
As I said, you paid for the copy of Windows that is on your machine, you also paid for the key code and the CD for the same.... Do not accept a copy of Windows, only the holographic CD will do...

Be sure you get what you paid for!!!

Good Luck

Ski

BTW - Stay away from warez if you can....

 

Ok i checked the back of PC and there is a holographic sticker saying "Windows XP Home Edition" and a 25 Letter/Number Code

The store i bought it from is a place called TIME computers, its a UK company, but the store in my local area closed and moved about 40miles from me.

Is there a number i can phone to make sure my copy is legal and get a replacement CD or do i have to phone the company or go there, also if i have to go there, what can i say or do to make them give me a copy of XP?! Receipt?

 

I phoned there customer support, they said "tuff" Microsoft removed there licence to give me the OS. If i wanted to recover id have to pay £60 for a cd.. alas i think im gonna go one over the man. Download what is rightfully mine, since i paid for it.

oh well

 

I had this troble from TIME too! They dont give the CD coz there method of installing is to send ur PC back for repair!

I hate TIME now and I spent weeks chasing a recovery CD which in the end I got free (as I new the guy in the store).

Basicly, email me as I might be able to help you out (not gonna post how on the net)!

Gary

 

They might have put the whole CD on a partition. You can image that to a CDR. Or this might work, it is worth looking into, it's just a link so other retailers might have it. You do have a CD Key http://www.idg.net/english/crd_internet_1245623.html

 

Is that legit? Cos id rather pay $25 for a proper CD then download it.

I already downloaded XP but it ended up being SP2 RC2.2 Beta.. very annoying.

 

If that is the Key (combination of letters and numbers) on your machine then you have a License. They hand those out to students and shows all the time. They can't put illegal stuff on your machine. http://www.magicaljellybean.com Go here and see if it is the same. Hit help in anything in Windows but IE. See if it is a legal copy.