How can I install hardware if I no longer have my Windows XP CD?

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i am having the same problam i have the windows xp disk but it is scrached and have just downloaded a film and i would like to watch it with sounds so all day since 10 o claock am i have been trying to get my sound on so please can you help me ps this site is the best

Two approaches come to mind: first borrow an installation CD from a friend. I'm assuming you're trying to install drivers to make your sound work, so I'd visit the web site for the manufacturer of the sound card or system and see if the drivers can be downloaded and intalled. Sometimes that doesn't need the instllation CD.

I recently restured my computer to the original factory and as a result lost my microsoft word.

Someone has taken my word installation cd but I do have my Product key no.

What do I do to install microsoft word?

Borrow an installation CD from someone for the same version you had, and use your product key when you install.

Yada, yada, yada! Okay, I'm not "tech literate". I searched and found the I386 file, but don't know what to do with it.

The "Tech Guy" at my former job (also a FORMER employee) upgraded my computer. I hounded him for the XP installation CD but he never gave it to me. There is no "contact" (phone/address, etc.) on him.

I don't have other tech friends, nor, do I, believe it or not, know anyone with a computer, let alone WinXP (not everyone has joined the computer generation!) they use the computer at work.

I need the CD to to install my printer/fax machine.

My thoughts: Go to ADD/REMOVE and remove winxp from my computer; and PURCHASE a copy of Winxp and install it; or call BestBuy or CompUSA, GeekSquad, etc, and have them "fix" my problems.

What is my best option?

Thanks.

If you found the I386 directory (not a file, but a directory full of other files) then to install your software just enter the location of that directory (for example, c:\i386) when you're prompted for the installation CD-ROM.

I have multiple windows XP OEM CD's when i got HP desktops. I kept all the CD's together, the problem know is one of the PC's OS is Corrupt and i want to install it again but i am not sure which CD belongs to paticular workstation the CD-key is on the desktop itself. I just want to know how can i find a CD-KEY under windows XP i386 directory in the CD.

Please help.

Reagards
Rasiq.

Actually the CD key isn't stored on the CD: http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_find_the_windows_cd_key_from_the_cd.html

Chances are any of the CDs will do.

A friend of mine inherited a virus on her computer. She has an Emachine T184. She's also lost her installation CD. I'm trying to perform a clean windows xp installation by using the cd I received from the purchase of my dell computer. When I use it, I get the error message: ".SIF file missing or corrupted. Value 0 ....

I've also tried using another Windows XP Home Edition installation disk, but I get this on the Windows XP Home Edition Setup screen: Setup could not read the CD you inserted, or the CD is not a valid Windows CD. Please insert you Windows NT 3.51 Workstation, etc., etc. Please help me? Thanks!

I can't get on my computer at all. My gateway won't let me past the windows activation screen and I don't have the cd or activation id. I need to know how to download this information to my pc somehow and transfer it to another pc.

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