i recently purchased a new (used) comp with "windows xp professional 2002." it's registered to the previous owner and he can not find his cd for it. the computer has errors that i need the cd to repair and unfortunatly he had system restore turned off. any ideas short of purchasing a new cd for $129.00 on how to restore it to factory settings. thanks for ur help.

You can use any CD. A friends, a neighbors. As long as it is the same type of install i.e. OEM; Full; Upgrade; Home; Pro; etc. You just need to know the Product Key that was installed on your machine.


The Windows 25-character Product Key (required to perform the
installation) is stored somewhere on the CD packaging on a bright
orange sticker that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM
(factory installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC
manufacturer affixed to the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom
of a laptop.

If your current Windows installation is still functioning, you
should be able to use ViewKeyXP from
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm or AIDA32 from
http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php to find the Product Key. (If you have
a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since reinstalled the OS,
the revealed Product Key may be that of the drive image used at the
factory and not _your_ specific Product Key; therefore, it probably
cannot be used for a re-installation.)

To recover a lost CD or Product Key:

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should contact whomever sold you the
OS; although few keep records of Product Keys sold, it's worth a try
before you have to buy a new license. Also, if you did originally
register the OEM installation with Microsoft they might be able to
help, although they're under no obligation to do so; All support is
the sole responsibility of the OEM.