Advice re. Windows XP License

hp01jpc · 16 Nov 2008 at 12:14

Hello all,

My house mate has lost his installation disk for windows xp. He has a valid key for it and as far as my understanding goes he is therefore 'legally licensed' to use it.

Is there a legal way that we can obtain a replacement disk? I downloaded an image of xp and burnt it onto a disk, but I presume the key he has is specific to a certain variant of xp (i.e. home, professional, etc) and he now gets messages that the version of windows he is using is not licensed when he tries to install updates etc.

Anyone help? Thanks.

Gigi · 16 Nov 2008 at 12:21

I would phone MS and ask them for a replacement disk.

PhillyDee · 16 Nov 2008 at 12:23

As long as you use the correct disk, then there shouldnt be a problem. I would ring up MS and tell them.
If it says XP Pro with SP2 on the sticker, then thats the disk you need. An XP SP1 disk will not do.

wildman · 16 Nov 2008 at 12:59

Gigi said:
I would phone MS and ask them for a replacement disk.

I though MS had stopped supporting XP earlier this year, so would it not be unlikely that they would send out a replacement?

If you have got a legal licence key then you could always get one of your mates to lend your their disk or make you a copy. I always thought that you were paying for the licence and not the disk so you couldcopy that to your hearts contents as long as you paid your dues for the licence key ?

swinnie · 16 Nov 2008 at 13:09

MS are supporting XP until 2010 I think.