Laptop reinstall no cd

[NC]

If I lose the XP cd for a laptop, how can I reinstall? Is the code on the laptop bottom good enough?

[RealBeast]

You'll need an install cd but may be able to get one from Dell that will work with your key.

[humanity]

You can usually install from an OEM disc with the product key on the bottom of your laptop, but this is NOT the case for all manufacturers. You can often order replacement recovery media from your manufacturer for $20 or less.

[adam_chevyss]

Also as stated earlier it is easiest to install from the manufacturer media, because of the drivers are usually included, if you just use a standard windows xp disc you will generally have to go to the manufacturers website for the drivers.

[Wurm]

Yes a OEM CD will work with the key on the bottom. However with one important caveat... if you use a Standard Windows XP Pro CD with a Windows Media Center Key.

Your Windows Media Player will cease to work. And there is nothing short of messing around in the registry you can do about it.

So if you can't get the manufacturer CD and do not have a Media Center Key, all you have to do is download the drivers you need from the manufacturer's website and borrow a friends OEM CD.

[Steve R Jones]

Dell Customers can now request a set of backup discs containing the factory-installed operating system as well as the device drivers and utilities specific to your system.

1) Requests are limited to one (1) set of backup discs per system purchased.
2) The backup discs requested must match the operating system that was factory installed on the original order.


To proceed with requesting these backup discs, please fill out the request form below and click Submit to continue.

Continued Here

[Ubon94]

Normally there is a back image on a hidden partition on these laptops such as HP/Dell
You maybe able to restore with F_ key upon booting up