Re-installing xp

[Lizzie-j]

When I got my computer Windows xp home edition came already installed. I've
had problems with machine and have got to reinstall windows. I've got the
product key of the version that came with my computer but can I use my
parents xp disk to re-install it? Or do I have to buy xp all over again?

Thanks a lot.

[Shenan Stanley]

Lizzie-j wrote:
> When I got my computer Windows xp home edition came already
> installed. I've had problems with machine and have got to reinstall
> windows. I've got the product key of the version that came with my
> computer but can I use my parents xp disk to re-install it? Or do I
> have to buy xp all over again?

Not knowing what your parent's xp disk is (or yours really) - one cannot
say.

First off - check the stuff that came with your computer. If it was sold to
you new - it has to have a way to restore it to the original (as sold)
format. It may be a way that you boot up, it may be something else. Your
manuals and/or those you bought it from can help.

In fact - what type of computer is it and did you get it new?

If your parent's CD is from the same manufacturer and/or a GENERIC OEM (did
not come with any particular computer, is not a retail boxed or upgrade
version, is the same version [Home in this case]) - then *maybe*.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[DL]

You sure there is not a hidden recovery parition on your sys?
Or you have no restore disks?
You *may* be able to use another winxp cd provided its the same version of
winxp as you have installed, but it might depend on whether your PC is from
a large OEM, eg HP / Compaq etc

"Lizzie-j" > wrote in message
...
> When I got my computer Windows xp home edition came already installed.
> I've
> had problems with machine and have got to reinstall windows. I've got the
> product key of the version that came with my computer but can I use my
> parents xp disk to re-install it? Or do I have to buy xp all over again?
>
> Thanks a lot.

[Ken Blake, MVP]

On Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:48:01 -0800, Lizzie-j
> wrote:

> When I got my computer Windows xp home edition came already installed. I've
> had problems with machine and have got to reinstall windows.


What problems? How do you know you need to reinstall? It's hardly ever
the best thing to do.


> I've got the
> product key of the version that came with my computer but can I use my
> parents xp disk to re-install it? Or do I have to buy xp all over again?



OEM vendors are required by their agreement with Microsoft to give you
a means of reinstalling, should it be necessary. They can do this in
one of three ways:

1. An OEM copy of Windows
2. A restore CD
3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information.

If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact
your vendor to find out.

Personally, I find both 2 and 3 unacceptable (especially 3; a hard
drive crash can leave you with nothing), and would never choose to buy
a computer that came with an operating system unless I got a complete
generic installation CD for that operating system.

Regarding your parent's CD, if it is the same type (Home vs
Professional) and is also OEM, as yours is, you can probably use it.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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