Windows 7: Question regarding Windows XP Pro

Hello! I'm in a pickle!

I have a friend that knows nothing about computers, NOTHING! And I must go to him tomorrow and format+install windows xp pro on his laptop. He bought a laptop with XP pro installed, and he has lost the cd, but the serial is on the bottom of the laptop. I need to know how I can get a legit, untouched XP pro online to burn to a cd, not any of that cracked crap! I wonder if it's OEM since it came with the computer..

Can someone please let me know if you have a link to a copy I can download??



P.s. Can I install a cracked version, get the genuine thingy up and enter his key there??(just curiosity)

If it came pre-installed I expect it will be OEM, what make and model is it and is there a recovery partition on the laptop so it can be taken back to factory settings or was his CD made when he got the laptop as a one time make for recovery ?

I have no idea where you could get anything online but you'd would have to use the same version as he had installed and that may have included the drivers that belong to the machine.

Sorry I can't help but maybe one of the experts will be able to give you more information.

Please read Download XP - Where Can I Download Windows XP? - Windows XP Download.

The way out would be to request Microsoft for a replacement CD after explaining your predicament and they would most likely help you or your friend out.

As for your PS, you could perhaps do as you have suggested but I think it would be stretching the law and illegal.

Since we're in the Chillout Room I can't rep either of you, but the last two posts contained very good advice.

Virtual reps all around.

Thanks a lot, Professor.

Thanks alot for your replies.

Unfortunately I don't have time to contact Microsoft. I will just pick up the laptop and bring it back to my place, then I got time to do this properly. If there is a recovery on it, I should be able to burn it to a cd.
I'll use this thread today if I run into some kind of trouble while installing or something else

Thanks again!

If the laptop isn't too old and if the OS was preloaded onto a recovery partition, all you have to do is go into the Advanced Boot Options Menu (no idea which key, its brand specific) to access the revery options on startup, then there should be a "repair my computer" or similar option in there. No disk required. It's a factory image restore, which will also reformat the HDD automatically before it reloads the recovery image. I use this all of the time on my OEM systems.

Hmm that sounds simple I'll check it! Thanks!

Thank you Steve it's appreciated.