XP Install - but don't have a CD
 

A friend of mine recently had a hard drive wipe for one reason or another.

She needs to install Windows again. She had a legal copy of XP installed on the machine (a laptop), and she still has her license / cd key (the clever folks at Acer attached it to the laptop itself so you don't lose it).

What she doesn't have is an XP install CD. She claims the laptop didn't come with one, though I told her that's unlikely. In any case, the point is that we don't have one right now. I don't have mine with me either.

Is there a way to help her out? In this circumstance is it legal to seek out a copy of XP floating around on the web in order to install it using her legal cd key? Is there anywhere we can go to get a replacement disc without re-purchasing the OS?

Thanks in advance!

All laptops are that way, nowadays.

I'm not sure if Acer is SLP or not - if they are, you'll need an ACER OEM specific CD. If it actually uses the sticker (most don't, like Dell or HP), then you can use any XP install CD.

On acquiring such a CD - according to the EULA, you're paying for a license to use and install the software, not the media itself. So "acquiring" a CD would not be illegal, provided you have a valid licesne to install it (either by pre-installation by your OEM) or by the COA on the case.

Most computer companies will sell you either media or restore cd's for a resonable price

i think accer laptops came with an image cd that can be used to install windows. but in your case since you actually have the licence key then just borrow a windows xp cd from someone else.

Have her check in the CDs that she does have. Most all systems on laptops come with a "restore" CD that has Windows XP on it. It won't SAY "Windows XP install" on it....It will have "restore disk" on it. Double check.

She'll likely need to find a restore CD from Acer. The license keys that OEMs use will not necessarily work with a retail edition of XP.

For example: You have a Dell laptop. You have an XP key Dell stuck on the back. You wipe the drive and the restore partition that Dell put there for you (and most manufacturers don't give you a CD with the PC/laptop, btw.). Now you need to reinstall. You grab a retail XP disc. You install. Two things will happen: the key straight out won't work, or when you go to update XP it'll fail to validate.

9 times out of 10 the key won't work on install and you'll never get farther.

The best bet is to get a restore CD from Acer. It should cost you about 10 bucks, which is about what an OEM will charge you for it, even when ordering a new PC.

Acer asks you to make boot cds when you first boot up the machine. They also come with recovery programs installed to help with this process. Mine didn't actually come with any cds, though.