problem with new laptop without OS CD.

M

mahmood

Geek Trainee
I recently got rid of my 5 years old sony vaio and bought a low price laptop called EI Systems. To my surprise I found out that it didn't come with an OS CD although XP is preinstalled. Users on another forums confirmed that most laptops don't come with a OS CD anymore. Apparently it is on a unaccessable part of harddisk.

Now my problem is that I can't figure out how to change the partition of hard disk. At the moment th 40G hard disk is all a single partition. Again users suggested that I reinstall XP but I don't know how to reinstall it. I should although mention that there is no mention of reinstalling OS on its manual - which is only a pdf file and not a hard print booklet. -

Any idea guys?
 
I believe that Microsoft changed the liscensing for pre-built vendors like Dell, HP, etc. to where they could not ship a physical copy of Windows with their systems. Most companies these days send a restore CD because of this. I don't know if this is still in effect or if it only applies to companies of a certain volume. The reason I say that is because some smaller botique builders have shipped a full copy of Windows with their systems.

Now, you should have a product key on your laptop. If that's the case, you can borrow a copy of XP and use that key.
 
Big B said:
Now, you should have a product key on your laptop. If that's the case, you can borrow a copy of XP and use that key.
Click to expand...

I have a windows XP Pro, do you think it will do? I mean I use it and enter the serical number for home version of my Laptop?
 
mahmood said:
I have a windows XP Pro, do you think it will do?
Click to expand...
Does that mean that you have Win XP Pro CD Key on your laptop?? or you are just saying that you have got XPP installed on your system...?
 
No, My laptop is windows XP home. I have a window XP Pro installed on my desktop and got its CD. So instead of borrowing a CD from somebody and install in on the laptop, can I insert my pro CD and enter the serial number of the home version?
The reason I ask because I don't want to get stuck in the middle, losing the currently installed OS on the laptop and not being able to install a new one.
 
Mahmood said:
The reason I ask because I don't want to get stuck in the middle, losing the currently installed OS on the laptop and not being able to install a new one.
Click to expand...
Exactly this thing will gonna happen if you install XPP on XPH..
if you compare their prices...XPP is 100$ more than XPH (in NZ, I dont know about other countries).

Edit: Check with Microsoft how many licenses you've got on your XPP.... You might have 5 License copy with your Desktop XPP...
 
Karanislove said:
Exactly this thing will gonna happen if you install XPP on XPH..
if you compare their prices...XPP is 100$ more than XPH (in NZ, I dont know about other countries).

Edit: Check with Microsoft how many licenses you've got on your XPP.... You might have 5 License copy with your Desktop XPP...
Click to expand...

Actually I don't want pro to be installed on my laptop, I am happy with home but I my laptop hasn't come with an OS CD, that's all.
 
Just a note here, it may not help but it'll back up Big B's post.

My laptop came with no OS CD - after turning on you go through some initial Windows configuration and then are asked to provide either 5 CD's or 1 DVD to burn a restore disc, however, if you've got the sticker with a serial number on it then you're perfectaly within your rights to borrow an XP CD and use your Liscence (sp?) key for that install - if it's on the same machine that is.
 
Strange!!

I installed my XP pro on the laptop and downloaded lots of updates from MSN and haven't had any problems yet.

How come I haven't got caught in activation stage?
 
Well, it's quite possible you've got a corporate version, which doesn't require activation to work. My XP Pro is like that, thanks to some deal MS worked out with at least one of the colleges in town.
 
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