need Windows XP Home disk

**dave154304** · September 3rd, 2009, 07:26 PM

Hi Everyone - Hopefully I have a simple situation. My Aunt needs Windows re-installed. Her computer has the activation key on the side of it, but the XP Home Edition disks have been lost a long time ago - and there isn't a backup on the hard drive.

Can anybody point me in a direction to find it? If I recall correctly, the install disk is basically generic, and the product key is what is important. Does anybody have a download for it? Any other options?

Thanks in advance.

**Niclo Iste** · September 3rd, 2009, 07:31 PM

There aren't any legal sites to download from that I have heard of. You could try contacting the manufacturer of the computer for replacement disks.

**MobilePCPhysician** · September 3rd, 2009, 08:37 PM

If you are doing a repair install, just borrow someones disk of the same type. Is this a name brand pc? If it is, you need to get the oem disks from the manufacturer.

**dave154304** · September 3rd, 2009, 10:36 PM

It is an old emachines computer... I contacted them, and they don't have anything to support a machine as old as this one - they go back to 2006. I was hoping to just find a generic Win XP Home disk...I have the key that came with the PC, just not the install disks.

**Niclo Iste** · September 3rd, 2009, 11:42 PM

If you can't borrow one and can't get one from E-machines the closest lead I can get for you is probably this from amazon.com

**dave154304** · September 4th, 2009, 11:42 AM

Alright - $219 for an OS that is quickly fading! Gotta love that.

Thank you for the suggestions... I might just recommend a new PC if we're spending that kind of money to replace the OS on the existing machine.

**CCT** · September 4th, 2009, 11:46 AM

Call a shop - explain the situation - get a quote.

If it is as old as you imply, probably SP0 (ie, original issue XP Home) OEM.

If they price favourably, have them install, activate and then buy a spare HD and clone the installation.

**xpuser357** · September 4th, 2009, 06:32 PM

http://compucycle.net/Sales/laptops.html You can go here and get a computer for 114.00 that has xp pro and you get the disk. what a deal

**Guts3d** · September 6th, 2009, 06:53 AM

Nice find, Xpuser357! Often I'll come across a user who just needs a single core machine for E-mail, solitaire, etc. This will bring the cost down considerably. Thanks!

**rgharper** · September 7th, 2009, 07:42 AM

You may be out of luck. With Windows XP, the key and disc do make a difference - if you have an OEM key sticker on the computer then you would need the CD from the same OEM in order to activate Windows. The only other choice would be to buy a retail copy, use the key on the retail copy and hope that the manufacturer still has the drivers you need.