bigb89 Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi, I don't know how but my Windows XP Home Edition CD got damaged somehow. Now I need to reinstall Windows but the CD doesn't work. I have the CD key but now I just need to find a way to install it without using my CD. Is there anyway that I can install Windows XP Home Edition without actually using the CD? I'm not asking for a way to make a pirate copy or anything like that, but I want to know if there are any alternatives that I can use without having to buy a new copy of the CD or using someone's else copy.Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Contact Microsoft.If you can convince them that your copy of one of their products is damaged (usually by sending it to them) they will offer you a replacement for a nominal fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 As long as you enter your correct key, I believe that you can borrow someone else's disc and use that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 andsome is correct, provided the disk you use is the exactly same type as your damaged one.Differences like OEM vs retail, full vs upgrade, Home vs Pro, with/without SP2 and so on will prevent you doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason.b.c Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi, I don't know how but my Windows XP Home Edition CD got damaged somehow. Now I need to reinstall Windows but the CD doesn't work. I have the CD key but now I just need to find a way to install it without using my CD. Is there anyway that I can install Windows XP Home Edition without actually using the CD? I'm not asking for a way to make a pirate copy or anything like that, but I want to know if there are any alternatives that I can use without having to buy a new copy of the CD or using someone's else copy.Thanks for the help!@bigbi have a question for you...How damaged is "Damaged"...? a scratch .? how badly damaged..?the reason i ask is because i've repaired many-a-CD by simply rubbing them gently with chrome polish..if you try this , it "may" work once - just good good enough to re-install... maybe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaz Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 You could try putting the disc in warm water, and then try wiping it dry with a anti-static microfiber towel. Using a friends cd, with your cdkey wouldnt work. Last time I checked the cd's are unique, and require its own key. Im not sure if that was for later releases of Windows, or earlier.Your best bet is to contact Microsoft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigb89 Posted June 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 Yea, I know someone that has the exact same copy of Windows as me. So I'll just use that CD and then use my CD key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted June 29, 2007 Report Share Posted June 29, 2007 Yea, I know someone that has the exact same copy of Windows as me. So I'll just use that CD and then use my CD key.Well worth a try, you have nothing to loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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