Want to clean reinstall WinXP on laptop but lost CD, only product Key left

Is there anyway to reinstall windows xp home on my old laptop?

Thanks

 

You need the CD with the OS on it to reinstall.

 

Borrow one from someone or download from a torrent (but be very careful if you decide to get it from a torrent, because they are not always clean.. may have viruses or some other malicious programs lurking inside)
EDIT : and of cause use the key you already have, I was only giving options on how to obtain a CD

 

yap! atbnet is right. just use the original key that comes with your laptop.

 

novirusthanks.org

 

you can try calling the manufacturer and ask them if they would be willing to send you a copy....of course you might have to pay shipping.

 

The problem is to obtain the OS legitimately =( (for free) I know someone with a reinstallation cd from dell but my laptop is not dell

 

As far as legality is concerned, I don't see a difference between borrowing a CD from a friend and downloading from a torrent .
P.S : you can still use the DELL CD if the Windows XP edition (i.e : Home, Pro) matches the edition of your serial number.

 

The Dell restore discs are special because they check the BIOS of the computer that you are installing the OS on, so it won't work. You can use any other disc on a Dell computer though.

 

DELL also gives out Windows XP installation disks, if OP is talking about a DELL OEM Windows XP installation disk then it will work. If you use a DELL OEM Windows XP installation disk on a DELL computer it will not ask for a serial, on any other computer it will ask for a serial, that is the only difference. I know because I've tried it.

 

I'll have to take a look at that cd tomorrow. But I remember the disc says win xp reinstallation disc for dell computers only.

Thanks everyone.

 

I just said that... I am saying a Dell restore CD won't work on a non-Dell computer

 

once you give a valid serial it will let you continue

P.S : DELL restore disk IS NOT same as DELL Windows installation disk

 

i'm pretty sure you can get a cd from microsoft by paying shipping and a small fee. I know they were doing it for the 64bit version if you had the 32bit so I'd give them a call/mail.
For free, as suggested just grab a cd from a friend install and use your serial. No need to go to torrents, everyone has a xp cd at home.

 

The disc says reinstallation DVD.

 

The restore DVD is a Windows installation disc.

 

1 800 Microsoft, an OEM CD or DVD with XP Pro SP3 costs $32 bucks plus $5 shipping thats better than Newegg price, get em while you can.

I Had a valid CD Key but no disk, I just read tham all those numbers thats on the back of the PC case the one with the hologram sticker they said OK.

 

http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

you're welcome

 

NO, How many time do I have to tell you that it is NOT the same .Restore disk will restore the operating system to the factory installed state, it includes drivers and everything. A DELL Reinstallation CD is a like a normal Windows XP CD with some minor modifications, so that when you install it on a DELL machine it will not ask for a serial and you don't need to activate (but you still have to install drivers afterwards unlike with a restore disk). If you use it on any other non DELL PC, it will work as a normal disk. Look at the following photo. The one on the left is a normal DELL installation CD, the blue on the right is similar to a restore or recovery disk.

I don't think DELL is shipping restore disks with new notebooks anymore, but earlier they did.

If it looks like the left one, then you can use it.

 

Oh! The one on the left is what I have

Thanks so much PhoenixFx.