I have a sony laptop with windows XP home edition on it. The computer is having extreme problems and I just want to clear the OS. My question is I have all the license information for this PC and it had a legal copy of windows installed on it, but the windows cd I have is too damaged to use. Is there any way I could get this replaced...?
any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much

was the laptop new when you got it?
have you tried gettng in touch with Sony, as your copy of XP may be for Sony products only?

Ive been avoiding calling sony... I hate waiting on the phone for 45 minutes for tech support
I know you all know what I mean.

Sony's online support site is here:

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/select...CS&PRODTYPE=24

You need to insert your model & look at the FAQ or the Manual for Recovery Options.

As brain_damage points out the CD you need is a Sony Recovery CD.

You will probably find an address where you can purchase one. Or find a friend with a similar Sony laptop.

There is a way around your problem. However before I start you must have a legal copy of the Windows OS software.
Ok there is a bit of software freely available which allowes you to exchange the software keys. You borrow your friends Win Xp disc and install it on your computer. When you have done this you run this software to exchnge the licence keys before you register with microsoft. This will put you on the right side of the law.
You will obviously need to get the relevent drivers from your laptop manufacturer to finish off the installation.
The software is called xp_key_exchanger
If you can't get hold of it give me a call.
Good luck