I don't have an installation CD for Windows XP - what if I need one?

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Hi.
I was never given a copy of my CD, and now the retailed refuses to send me one. I want to reinstall windows. I have a copy of the i386 folder that I put onto CD, but will that do it?

Do i need to just buy another CD?

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It's possible, but not easy if you're not familiar with the tools.

You'll need to find or create some kind of boot floppy (bootdisk.com would
be a place to start) that when booted, recognizes the CD-ROM drive. If
you can do that, you can run setup.exe or winnt.exe from the I386 files.

And that's all *if* the I386 has what we hope it has - a full copy of
the original installation files.

Yet another reason I always insist on getting the Windows CD from the
manifacturer to start with.

Good luck....

Leo
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I have a hp desktop and I recently bought and used the wipe drive program. I did not realize that it would delete absolutely everything including windows xp. now I can only access a screen that tells me to insert the drive installation cd. I can't find the reboot cd that came with the computer. If I can find another windows xp installation cd where would my key be located?

i have got the windows xp disc but i do not no what the 25 number code is all it says on the disc is P/N mw879 .....I do not have the original case because it was snapped. I rely need to use my disc..can you help

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You need a product key. It's not on the CD, it was on the packaging that the CD
was in. This article has more:
http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_find_the_windows_cd_key_from_the_cd.html

Leo
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About sfc with no cd. I have run into a problem with this that makes no sense to me at all. 1. I do have the cd, but when prompted for it the system doesn't recongnize it and I get some goofy cd label in my computer, not the windows logo with the cd Windows version title like I normally see. But the auto start does run and and I can read the contents. 2. I have the I386 directory copied to the hard drive in the root of c: and 3. I'm not getting the option to browse for a path to the setup files. and 4. I'm being prompted also for a service pack 1 cd with no option for browsing to it either. Is there a command line or registery solution to tell windows where these files are located?
Thanks in advance,
David

My Recovery cd-rom is demage can I download from internet or what? thankyou for help

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What. You'll need to contact the manufacturer from which you originally got
that disk.

Leo

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You can order a replacement CD from Microsoft, without buying the whole package. You'd probably pay a small fee plus shipping. Have all the information regarding your computer, including your product key, before you call.

If you are calling from the United States, contact the Microsoft Order Desk at the following phone number:
(800) 360-7561, Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific time.
If you are calling from Canada, contact the Canadian Order Desk at the following number:
(800) 933-4750, Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific time.

I have the same issue as tamba (above). sfc scans my computer and tells me that it needs the CD, but all I get are retry, moe info, or cancel. Even though I have a nice \i386 directory, it doesn't let me point at it, and so all I can do is cancel. It asks me the same question about ten times before SFC just gives up and shuts down.

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