Got a virus and lost my XP CD, can I use anothe person's to reinst

[mshutch]

I have XP on my machine now, I am looking for a person who has the same
machine so I can use the recovery disk. A moderator in a group states this is
illega- violation of copyright.

I have my priginal paperwork and numbers, but not the CD.

Is it legal to install from someone else's CD??

[Patrick Keenan]

"mshutch" > wrote in message
...
>I have XP on my machine now, I am looking for a person who has the same
> machine so I can use the recovery disk. A moderator in a group states this
> is
> illega- violation of copyright.
>
> I have my priginal paperwork and numbers, but not the CD.
>
> Is it legal to install from someone else's CD??

You should check the EULA, and you'll probably find that it is permitted.
In the context of retail or OEM CDs, for a given type and build, the CDs are
all exactly the same, and are interchangeable (again, given that the types
match). It's the CD key supplied with the package that is important.

If the CD is for exactly the same machine, it should be fine. It's the
install key that's the important thing, and you may need to check and change
the key if activation is refused. The key on the system case is the proof
of license, not the install media.

The real issue is a practical one - can you find anyone who actually does
have the same system?

HTH
-pk

[Bruce Chambers]

mshutch wrote:
> I have XP on my machine now, I am looking for a person who has the same
> machine so I can use the recovery disk. A moderator in a group states this is
> illega- violation of copyright.
>
> I have my priginal paperwork and numbers, but not the CD.
>
> Is it legal to install from someone else's CD??
>
>


As long as you use your own Product Key, yes. It's the Product Key
that represents the license, not the installation CD.

Of course, you do need to find either an identical Recovery CD, or an
unbranded, generic OEM installation CD. Product Keys are bound to the
specific type and language of CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or
Upgrade) with which they are purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM
Product Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any
version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot
be used with a full version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will
not work to install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not
work with an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot
be mixed & matched.

If you do find and use an unbranded, generic OEM CD, you'll also
probably need to download any proprietary device drivers from the
computer manufacturer's web site to restore full functionality to your
system.


--

Bruce Chambers

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