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Nirav04Flag for United States of America

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Lost Windows XP Home Cd need to reinstall

I have lost Windows XP home CD for Dell PC, but I need to reinstall OS. Is there a way to copy registration information with Microsoft from this PC, because I can use Windows XP cd which belongs to my friend. I do not want to spend money to purchase new CD.

Thanks for all the help.
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theProfessa
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Yes, you can use a program called BelArc to get your CD Key
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Once you have the serial number to your machine, you can then reinstall using your friend's media

Hope this helps
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Pete Long
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PeteLong is correct, the media must match or the serial number will not be accepted
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sgiglia

This depends on what kind of CD you originally had.  If you bought a dell, you'll need a Dell cd to reinstall.  But if you bought a CD from a retail store, then your friend's retail CD will work, just use your own COA from your own packaging.  

reinstalling with different CDs can become confusing, because there's a difference with whether you use an oem cd, a retail cd, an upgrade cd, or a volume cd.  just make sure that your own COA coincides with the type of CD you are installing with.
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Thank you very much for everyone's help, I found out that Dell sell reinstall replacement disc for around $30. I will just purchase that.
Bet you will get one on ebay for much cheaper :)

ThanQ
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that you can get the software you need from:
www.oemsoftwaresource.com

I am a computer tech and I just found this site recently.  Hopefully this can help someone! Anthony