If I've had an XP box for many years from some retailer that didn't come with disks, how do I go about re-installing XP?

No worries about backing-up files that I want to keep or any personal files or w/e. Just a complete re-install as if I just brought the computer home from the store.

I'd imagine once I've done it I can update windows and it's service packs etc?

If you don't have install packages/software/CD, you must obtain such. Either from the original retailer, or from a store that sells XP CD's.

What if someone else had a windows CD for the same version [home edition] and I use my own Microsoft product key? (the product key on the tower instead of the one on the CD case)

What is the make and model number of the computer. Many come with a hidden partition on the hard drive that you can use to restore the system to it's factory installed state.

Most also have the ability to create a set of restore CDs that you access via the Start menu.

Originally Posted by soundsev3n

What if someone else had a windows CD for the same version [home edition] and I use my own Microsoft product key? (the product key on the tower instead of the one on the CD case)

If the disk is from a manufacturer (such as dell) and it isn't your computer's manufacturer then quite possibly it will be prevented from installing on any other system even if you are using your own product key. Retail disks are the only ones you can depend upon being platform independent and therefore usable on multiple makes/models. In addition the other manufacturers disk will come with drivers and programs specific for that computer. In short as stated earlier you will either need to obtain disks from your manufacturer or a retail copy unless your system has a recovery partition on it's hard drive.

Alright so... this is what I found.

Can I re-install Windows XP without disks/CDs? (computer didn't come with CDs)
Yes, generally if a computer came without windows disks/CDs there is a partition on the main drive for recovery purposes which contains the necessary files/software. System recovery on my computer can be reached by pressing F10 on start-up. Google your computer make and model or ask someone here how to reach your own recovery console.

-or-

A windows disk of the same edition as yours (example: you have home edition, disk must be home edition) can be used with your own product key instead of the one on the CD case.
This was a plain ol' retail copy of Windows if I remember correctly, and not a manufacturer specific copy! A manufacturer specific copy may not work as stated above by "townsbg".

I went with the "someone else's disk, my product code" method.
ALSO: since I didn't use the recovery partition or manufacturer specific disk, I do not have some of the software extras that came specifically with my computer when it was purchased. To me, this is a good thing, to others it may not be.


[I was looking to complete what my restore software called a "destructive system restore" that wiped my HDD in the process of re-installing windows. Many people may not want to lose the data on the drive and should go with the non-destructive option.]

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One more question before I say thanks and goodbye...
Is it legal/acceptable for me (a registered owner of the same exact microsoft product) to copy this borrowed Windows disk to use again in the future for the same reason, so as not to disturb my friend for his CD again?

For one, retail disk and OEM disks (those that come from manufacturers) as well as their serial numbers are different. They are cheaper. Therefore I can't guarantee that an oem number will work on a retail disk. As for the legality of copying a disk that isn't yours, I don't know so I'm not going to comment either way.

Have you tested for a backup partition? Where you quoting an article? If so what?