need to reinstall windows XP Pro but...

[iDoof]

Hi,

I have Windows XP Pro on my computer but due to some problems I've been having, I need to reinstall it. The problem is I lost my install disc and product key (all reprimands aside!). My friend has a disc of his own but he got it from the university, and it can only be installed in one computer at a time (I don't know if that goes for all Windows XP discs).

Anyway, do you think my friends' disc will work in reinstalling? I mean, I'm REINSTALLING it not installing for the first time so I feel like it doesn't matter which disc you use...


Thanks for your input everyone

[chrisling]

Try solve it by repair Windows if you can. I think that can work if use other installation disc to repair.

[Paul Komski]

There should be no problems with the disk as such but there will be problems with the product key and with activation - regardless if it is a new installation or a repair installation.

I don't know if that goes for all Windows XP discsInstalling one product key per individual physical computer is the norm.

[ErnieK]

If you have access to your desktop download and install Belarc it will let you know what liciences you have on the machines for the software including the XP Licience Key.
You can get belarc from http://www.belarc.com

[Erik]

That still won't help for sure. That will only work if both Windows are the same exact version, for example they must both be XP Pro SP2. If your system came with SP1 or the original XP and he has an XP SP2 CD it won't work.

The good news though is that once you know the key you can try and hunt down a CD for the proper Windows version that matches that key.