missing CD's (not in warranty)

Question

Is there any way to buy the restore CD's for my dimension 4400 desktop and my inspiron 1100 laptop.  My kids went crazy in the basement and lost both sets.  I have the keys from microsoft on the computers, but no CD's.

pentaj · Answer

AW NUTS!  That's what I was afraid of but didn't want to hear.  So if I go retail purchase, will I be able to use the same CD with the OS for both since I have the activation codes? It's xp pro for both.

SadeghiJK · Answer

I don't think you can buy them anywhere, try contacting Dell Support or something.

rickmktg · Answer

@pentaj wrote:
AW NUTS! That's what I was afraid of but didn't want to hear. So if I go retail purchase, will I be able to use the same CD with the OS for both since I have the activation codes? It's xp pro for both.

No. The Dell keys don't work for retail CDs, and the retail CD is one per computer.

Hard lesson to learn, but when I get a new computer I remove all CDs and put them out of reach. Also, I just sent my son to college and his original CDs are here in a box, he has only copies. If they get lost or stolen, I'm covered.

Denny Denham · Answer

pentaj, You can try Dell but if you're out of warranty it's not likely they will provide replacement CDs in which case retail purchase is indicated.

pentaj · Answer

Sigh.  Anybody want to sell some restore disks for these machines?     I have the desktop set up to monitor my kids in their use of the internet.  Yep, I spy on them and they know I do. I don't tell their mom though, she would be crushed at some of the stuff they do.  I just warn them not to do that anymore.    I took out the original hard drive that I had used as my backup and it says put in the restore disk.  Plus it has been getting really odd in it's behavior lately.  They go to some really strange sites.

Denny Denham · Answer

pentaj,

There is a workaround if you know someone who has a Dell with Windows XP Professional. Their CD will work to reinstall XP on your two systems (Dell OEM copies of XP are preactivated so you will be using it under the existing license represented by the 25-character Product ID on each computer's case).

Doogie-224 · Answer

Denny, I'm curious about what you said 'Their CD will work to reinstall XP on your two systems (Dell OEM copies of XP are preactivated so you will be using it under the existing license represented by the 25-character Product ID on each computer's case).'  We have a Dell 2350 and 8250 with XP Home and have a restore CD for both. My question is could I use either CD to reinstall on these computers as long as I used the 25 digit number on the case I'm installing XP on?  Thanks Doogie

volcano11 · Answer

'if it is software your missing you can go to microsoft.com and download almost any software you need for free' This is the funniest thing I have seen posted on these forums all year! Steve

Denny Denham · Answer

Doogie-224, Based on the experience of a large number of users, you can use either CD for either system and it is unlikely that you would be prompted for the Product ID on either machine.

5smits · Answer

if it is software your missing you can go to microsoft.com and download almost any software you need for free and the just save and burn to a disk.

Doogie-224 · Answer

Thanks Denny

pentaj · Answer

Whew, thanks folks.    I tossed the area and found the disks for the laptop and got that working.  Later today I'll try the desktop (dimension 4400) with that disk set.    Have a good day.

Windows General

missing CD's (not in warranty)

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