Lost OS install CD - what to do?

[Merlin]

Okay so here is the deal - The yeaterday I picked up a new laptop. I saw that Bestbuy had a printable coupon for 10% off of any open box laptop. So I figured what the hack? I got a really nice system for for a great price. The only problem is that it didn't have the software CDs. So I have the laptop with WindowsXP already installed and the Windows label on the bottom. Obviously the OS came as part of the system so it is paid for. I'd like to do as most people do can wipe the drive and start cleanly. I don't have another copy of XP - I use Win 2000 on my other machines. What am I allowed to do at this point? Can I just borrow someone else's copy, install it and register it myself? Like I said the machine has a fully licensed copy on it but what should I do to get another CD to do clean installs?

The computer is a Gateway. Do I need to call them and ask for one? Any of you folks with good knowledge of what I am actually supposed to do in the case of a lost CD please chime in.

Thanks.

[Cheesypuff]

imo, the gateway xp cd comes with a bunch of crap you don't need. I would just borrow a copy of any xp pro or home, depending on what your key is for, and install as such. You essentially get the same os, just without the FREE INTERNET ISP crap that goes along with the gateway xp os

[mechmike0034]

I would just borrow a copy of any xp pro or home, depending on what your key is for, and install as such.

His key is OEM, which will not work with retail/VL versions of XP. Gateway will probably sell him restore CDs, but, like you said, they've got a lot of crap with them. Some PC makers don't include CDs at all, but have restore files on a partition on the HD.

The Gateway website might be a source of information.

[_=DeltaForce=_]

Does anyone have the Dell Windows XP restore cd?? Its actually Windows XP oem cd and that should be fine... Thats how I installed XP in a ****paq when I lost the restore cd

[Bires]

Honestly, I would download a few versions of whatever the WinXP (Home/Pro) off the internet (using DC++ or Bittorrent). Many of those are OEM. (or, at least used to be...it's been a few years)

[doolittle]

what you really need is the device drivers cd from gateways website, windows you can get anywhere, that driver cd you cant. all the gateways ive worked on, come with a large package of c-d's, including an oem version of windows that doesent need to be activated, even though the os is preloaded.

[Merlin]

Okay, so there a couple of places where I can "borrow" a copy of XP. Presumably the copy I borrow would need to have its own installation key and the one on the bottom of the laptop would not work. Would I then run into any issues with product activation?

[doolittle]

your best bet would be to find a copy of xp that would work with your cd key on the bottom of the laptop, and then if you had an activation problem microsoft support can fix anyother activation issue's (if any arise). you could pm me for activation advice,(that im afraid to post here) or you could find a copy of xp sp2 Borg edition somewhere.

[Bires]

...you could find a copy of xp sp2 Borg edition somewhere.

:borg: edition?

[SolidSnake]

just boorrow a copy from someone else although when you need the authentication of the software it'll say you don't have an originally registered software and with this first reformat your hard drive to start from scratch but hey im just saying this... mechmike is the genius in this kind of situations :P and everybody know that ...

[navyones]

Your biggest challenge will be finding the correct drivers for your system after installing Windows XP. Take a look through your Device Manager and write down what hardware is installed. Attempt to locate the drivers, and download them to a removable storage device.

[SolidSnake]

Your biggest challenge will be finding the correct drivers for your system after installing Windows XP. Take a look through your Device Manager and write down what hardware is installed. Attempt to locate the drivers, and download them to a removable storage device.


totally agree with navyones try to keep your system up to date!

[mechmike0034]

mechmike is the genius in this kind of situations :P and everybody know that ...

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here... I don't know/do any XP activation "tricks". I do know that the retail and OEM keys are different.

Merlin, what's the model number? Like I said, the Gateway website would be the place to start with your question and to find specific drivers.

[SolidSnake]

I ment it as in software/hardware stuff!!!:Pbut well if you don't like to be praised... just kidding :P

[bachviet]

Dell doesn't have restore CD but it has the OEM Windows XP CD. My new Compaq laptop has the OEM Windows XP Home CD also. The drivers and appliations came in another DVD. :D

[kei2]

This is sort of related... I downloaded an update from Microsoft (for DirectX), and now it says I need to activate Windows. I tell the automated voice the number on the screen, but that doesn't work. (Maybe the Windows installed is bunk? I got the comp used.) A friend told me I just need to talk to a CSR, but the problem is I can't seem to get hold of a Microsoft CSR... I was on hold for like an hour yesterday--at least I THINK I was on hold--and nothing. No mention of a CSR coming if I stay on the line long enough. Any ideas?

[eSDee]

No need to piss off Microshaft especially since you bought the computer and you own a WinXP license legally. I have some contacts with Gateway. Give me the model number and I can get you a Restore Disk.

[mechmike0034]

I ment it as in software/hardware stuff!!!:Pbut well if you don't like to be praised... just kidding :P

Dude, I appreciate it, but you're giving me WAY too much credit...

I just share what I find, that's all.

[Merlin]

No need to piss off Microshaft especially since you bought the computer and you own a WinXP license legally. I have some contacts with Gateway. Give me the model number and I can get you a Restore Disk.
Thanks,

Model - 7422GX
Serial Number - N304C F10 32545

You'll be my hero if that works! :thumb:


Your biggest challenge will be finding the correct drivers for your system after installing Windows XP. Take a look through your Device Manager and write down what hardware is installed. Attempt to locate the drivers, and download them to a removable storage device.
I can download the drivers from their support web site no problem. They just don't seem to have copies of the OS available for download - go figure :P

[navyones]

You are going to have to obtain an OS. That is never available for download from a company website.

[eSDee]

My contact said to send an email to tech support from this page:

http://support.gateway.com/s/SOFTWARE/shared/7512564faq13.shtml

They should be able to send you a free restore disk from there. Let me know if that works.

[Showtime]

System restore.

On another note my legit copy of XP pro is now flagged and everytime I do an install I have to call in. I explained to the MSiNdian rep that I have HD I have several hd's to "test" and that I would be calling them again and again and again.
The final straw was putting an old hd into a new rig and the too much new hardware warning came up. I was hoping MS would go through at least one more os without monitoring too closely. I wouldn't be surprised if the next version had something to shut down extra copies. The one after that will probably subscription based. Time to learn Linux.

-show

[doolittle]

This is sort of related... I downloaded an update from Microsoft (for DirectX), and now it says I need to activate Windows. I tell the automated voice the number on the screen, but that doesn't work. (Maybe the Windows installed is bunk? I got the comp used.) A friend told me I just need to talk to a CSR, but the problem is I can't seem to get hold of a Microsoft CSR... I was on hold for like an hour yesterday--at least I THINK I was on hold--and nothing. No mention of a CSR coming if I stay on the line long enough. Any ideas? ive activated xp over the phone many times, yea your call does goto india, but the longest ive waited was 20 min, try calling after working hours if your not getting thru, they ask you a few questions,your name, the number the activation wiz gives you, why are you reactivating windows, how many computers are you running this cd-key on(1), they give you a number(allways repeat this number to make sure you heard it correctly) its pretty quik once you get thru.

[Bires]

...my legit copy of XP pro is now flagged and everytime I do an install I have to call in. I explained to the MSiNdian rep that I have HD I have several hd's to "test" and that I would be calling them again and again and again. ...

That's pretty common for those of us that upgrade every few months. It's almost like that WANT us to use illegal corporate editions.

[Jeffbx]

They're going to have to come up with a better system, because they're just going to crack down even more. Today, if your system is not activated, you're forced to do so before you can download Media Player 10 or the Anti-spyware tool. I predict that they're just testing the waters for the day when everything, including Windows Updates, requires an active copy of Windows.

[Merlin]

My contact said to send an email to tech support from this page:

http://support.gateway.com/s/SOFTWARE/shared/7512564faq13.shtml

They should be able to send you a free restore disk from there. Let me know if that works.
I wound up calling into tech support and asking them. They are charging me $20 for a replacement set of CDs. A little steep but I'm fine with it. Now to see if it is a "clean" copy of XP of if it loaded with lots of crap like AOL and the like.

[doolittle]

the gateway win c-ds ive seen are pretty clean, they do have the standard xp isp software and a few gateway themes. most of the spam comes on a seperate cd.