Need to re-install windows XP. Legit product key, but no CD.

[george benjamin]

Hello,

I am very lucky that my computer still works. It got so many viruses in the past couple of days.

I bought a new toshiba laptop 1.5 years ago. I have the Windows XP Home product key sticker at the bottom of my computer.

But, i don't think it came with a CD. Was it supposed to come with a Windows CD? It only came with a Toshiba CD which i think has all the drivers on it.

So, what do i do?

Thanks.

[ItemFinder]

Download Windows XP Home Edition OEM?

[masterc]

Toshibas usually come with restore CDs. Odd are that the "drivers disk" is that ...

[AcidBomber]

You could borrow it from a friend?
Or just download one and use your legit key, i am sure that doesnt count as piracy

[renhui]

you can either download a toshiba OEM WINXP HOME which shouldn't ask any key on a toshiba computer, or a general WINXP HOME and use your key on the back to activate it.
The COA entitles your laptop to run a legal version of WINXP HOME.

[Phils]

Look for a program called Recover XP CD Key. It will give you the cd key you have installed.

[Composter]

try the disc it came with, chances are it will go into loading XP again. Toshiba wouldn't put drivers on a separate disc from the OS.

[B Prime]

Your laptop didn't come with a recovery disc because Laptops don't come with recovery discs anymore. They have a recovery partition which allows you to restore to factory settings without the disc. I believe it's pressing F10 for a toshiba laptop during start up but I can be wrong.

[george benjamin]

Your laptop didn't come with a recovery disc because Laptops don't come with recovery discs anymore. They have a recovery partition which allows you to restore to factory settings without the disc. I believe it's pressing F10 for a toshiba laptop during start up but I can be wrong.

The cd/dvd it came with is the Product Recovery DVD

When i restart, and press F2, and load from the CD, it asks me if i want to format everything and the partitions.

but will that bring back my windows XP Home?...everything will be the same like i just bought it?

Thanks

[dragon_drift]

The cd/dvd it came with is the Product Recovery DVD

When i restart, and press F2, and load from the CD, it asks me if i want to format everything and the partitions.

but will that bring back my windows XP Home?...everything will be the same like i just bought it?

Thanks

it will be back to factory-like condition. so yes everything will be the same like you just bought it

[talktwo]

The cd/dvd it came with is the Product Recovery DVD

When i restart, and press F2, and load from the CD, it asks me if i want to format everything and the partitions.

but will that bring back my windows XP Home?...everything will be the same like i just bought it?

Thanks

If it's the recovery CD likely it will have the operating system on it. Including all the junk programs and other things that you don't need. Effectively yes, it will restore it to the same state you bought it.

Rather my suggestion would be to do a completely fresh format (including deleting the hidden partition that the manufacturer made to store their recovery stuff, usually takes up 3-6GB) from a Windows XP Home disc using the key provided to you by Toshiba.

[lead]

I bet its like acer hp and dell and any win xp won't work. The key is bound also to the mainboard or something ********. you need the manufacturers oem version. Or else your stuck with just the recovery cd.