Lost Windows Disk

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pennypincher

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I've checked the windows webiste but I can't find any details on the following.If a user bought a PC/Laptop from new/second hand and then subsequently lost their CD or product key what are their options.Is it legal to use another users CD to re-install -afterall the original user had paid for the OS but due to a hardware issue or windows issue had to format the hard drive etc.
 
If the COA (the sticker on the PC) that counts... it will have the serial on it... with that its legal to use any disk....
 
Not true - as discussed on another recent thread some Windows installation CDs (e.g. OEM editions) are tied specifically to the PC/laptop with which they are sold and are not transferrable or reusable.
 
ClubMan said:
Not true - as discussed on another recent thread some Windows installation CDs (e.g. OEM editions) are tied specifically to the PC/laptop with which they are sold and are not transferrable or reusable.
Click to expand...

It's the COA isn't transferable , the CD is never tied to the PC......in fact most oem suppliers (like DELL) use the same PC image for every PC they build , just add the serial after...
 
So in the case that your system crashes and you've lost the CD you have to buy another copy of Windows at full price for that same system?Surely there is some onus on the OEM to provide you with the capability to restore your operating system.You have a valid product code on the bottom of your pc etc?
 
ClubMan said:
Not true - as discussed on another recent thread some Windows installation CDs (e.g. OEM editions) are tied specifically to the PC/laptop with which they are sold and are not transferrable or reusable.
Click to expand...
Some CDs may be tied by technical means to a particular manufacturer's machine in which case they won't work on another. But if you can get a CD to work and you use the license key originally allocated to the machine you install it on, you're 100% legal.

As regards losing your CDs and not being able to borrow others, I'd say you'd find that the manufacturer will probably be quite happy to charge you for new ones.

If you lose your code...that's your look-out.
 
Check on the inside of your PC/Laptop. When installing OEM versions of Vista I know the Product code is on a sticker which they advise you to stick it on the inside of the PC/laptop. This way the code is linked to that particular PC.

Also I remeber with my Vista install that there is a validation which must be carried out either online or over the phone. Not sure what information they gather but may be of help?
 
How old is the pc/laptop and what are you intending to use it for ?
Reason I ask is that you could look at installing UBUNTU on it instead of MS. Its free, easy to install and use, and comes with MS WORD/Excell etc compatable software (openoffice). If your looking to just do some browsing, email etc, its the way to go. A great introduction to Linux, and easy enough for those that are not technically minded.
I did this with a secondhand laptop I bought that had no OS on it, best thing I ever did.
Wexfordman
 
jhegarty said:
It's the COA isn't transferable , the CD is never tied to the PC......in fact most oem suppliers (like DELL) use the same PC image for every PC they build , just add the serial after...
Click to expand...
Ah - wasn't thinking that way! :eek:
 
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