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Lost Windows CD

  • 07-01-2009 3:15pm
    #1
    PH4T
    Registered Users Posts: 931 ✭✭✭


    My PC is running very slowly so I'd like to reinstall Windows. I can't find the CD though. I called Dell to see if I could get another one. They said call Microsoft. I called Microsoft and they said call Dell.

    What can I do?


Comments

  • #2
    dazzerb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 156 ✭✭dazzerb


    did you buy the PC from Dell with Windows pre-installed? If so Dell need to provide you the CD. You just need the original recovery CD that came with it.

    You can order a replacement online at

    https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form


  • #3
    PH4T
    Registered Users Posts: 931 ✭✭✭PH4T


    dazzerb wrote: »
    did you buy the PC from Dell with Windows pre-installed? If so Dell need to provide you the CD. You just need the original recovery CD that came with it.

    You can order a replacement online at

    https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

    Yes I bought it from Dell.

    That link doesn't work...


  • #4
    dazzerb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 156 ✭✭dazzerb


    goto http://search.dell.com

    and search for "request backup disks"

    It should be your first search hit


  • #5
    PH4T
    Registered Users Posts: 931 ✭✭✭PH4T


    dazzerb wrote: »
    goto http://search.dell.com

    and search for "request backup disks"

    It should be your first search hit

    Found it, but the page itself is not working...


  • #6
    dazzerb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 156 ✭✭dazzerb


    ah - this link only works for US customers.

    you should just call your local Dell support and just order the cd by phone.

    What you are asking for is normal and Dell ship these CDs out all the time. Ask for the "Recovery CD" or "Reinstallation CD".


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  • #7
    PH4T
    Registered Users Posts: 931 ✭✭✭PH4T


    dazzerb wrote: »
    ah - this link only works for US customers.

    you should just call your local Dell support and just order the cd by phone.

    What you are asking for is normal and Dell ship these CDs out all the time. Ask for the "Recovery CD" or "Reinstallation CD".

    I called the Tech support number on here.

    I'm through to India and I have a 15 minute wait time...

    Is there any number to talk to someone in Ireland?


  • #8
    PH4T
    Registered Users Posts: 931 ✭✭✭PH4T


    PH4T wrote: »
    I called the Tech support number on here.

    I'm through to India and I have a 15 minute wait time...

    Is there any number to talk to someone in Ireland?

    Solved. I got through to some Indian dude.

    He said to just insert any Windows XP CD into the machine and use the product code from the bottom of the machine and format it.

    All the drivers from the recovery CD are available online at http://support.euro.dell.com.


  • #9
    TouchingVirus
    Registered Users Posts: 8,584 ✭✭✭TouchingVirus


    That guy isn't very smart, this will most likely not work because Windows XP uses a Product ID (PID) located in the i386 folder than identifies if the disk is OEM, Retail or Volume-Licensed and specifies what CD keys are valid or invalid. I've had access too over 1000 dell PC's, none of their CD keys worked on anything but an Official Dell Windows XP CD (the one that comes bundled with your PC).

    Retail CD's will only take retail keys, Volume-Licensed will only take VLK's and OEM will only talk OEM keys. Trust me on this, I spent a good part of half a day trying to turn a Retail version into a VL one by changing the PID [I lost my VL CD] and it didn't work, I had to download a Windows XP VLK CD from the internet and just use my own CD key.

    To make matters worse, big companies have their own PID's for OEM, so if you get a Gateway OEM CD from the internet, it'll not take a Dell Serial Number and vice versa.

    I'd still try get an OEM CD from the internet or a friend and try it and if it works then voila, but don't expect miracles


  • #10
    mp22
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Regional South Moderators Posts: 6,854 Mod ✭✭✭✭mp22


    Use any cd you can get and use
    http://www.download.com/XP-Key-Changer/3000-2094_4-10832984.html
    enter your own key


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