I need to reformat Windows XP, but i don't have a copy of the installation disk. I know that the manufactor puts it on the hard drive, but i just figured out that i deleted it a little while back. (dumb of me, I know, but i did not know what it was and i figured it couldn't be that essential because it was not in the WINDOWS file). Getting to the point, is there any way i can reformat Windows XP without the CD and with the partition that is usually on your hard drive? i do have my CD-key

I'm assuming that by "reformat Windows" you mean reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows. If that's the case, do you know anyone with a Windows XP CD? As long as you use your own CD key, I'm pretty sure it would be legal to borrow a CD from someone. Just make sure that it's exactly the same version.

I have a desktop and a laptop, and I use the CD that came with my laptop if I have to install Windows on either of them (the one I bought for my desktop is scratched). It works fine. If I have to install on my desktop, I use the CD key that came with that copy of Windows. If I have to install on my laptop, I use the CD key that came with my laptop.

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Unfortunately that's not quite true.

Well the part about it being legal yea that's fine... However he will encounter problems during the installation/activation of Windows. The reason being is that each Windows XP disc comes with it's own little code which is located under the CD near the ring... Now this code (I can't remember what we used to call it) is what Microsoft uses to generate new CD-Key's for that specific Windows XP copy... So the installation will not go through using a normal Windows XP CD... The reason being is that OEM copies have different features then a normal Windows XP copy...

So all and all you really have no choice other than to call your manufacturer to get another copy or buy a whole new copy of it... OEM copies are really a pain

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