OS for new HDD?

MrsGrey · Apr 19, 2007, 15:23:53

I'm sure there is a simple answer to this question. My hard drive crashed recently and I have to buy a new one. I will have thus lost the Windows XP Home I had running. How do I get a new one without having to pay all that money? I have paid for the licence once after all, and still have the PC it was installed on. There is a sticker on the PC case with a product key. What do I do?
Thanks, all you clued-up people.

Rik · Apr 19, 2007, 15:40:25

Do you have a CD? If so, just install that to the new disk. If you don't have a CD, and system recovery was via a hidden partition, you have a problem. I'm assuming the machine is out of warranty, in which case your best bet would be to pick up an OEM copy of XP. If your original installation wasn't OEM, you might just be able to get a new CD from MS.

Just checked, Dabs are doing XP Home OEM for £56.79 here.

MrsGrey · Apr 19, 2007, 16:03:56

Thanks for your reply. No I don't have a CD and I'm not sure I ever did. As for system recovery being via a hidden partition, I don't know. I'll see if anyone in my family knows. Thanks for the OEM hint. A couple more questions--

How can I tell if the original OS was OEM? The label on the PC just says "Certificate of authentication".
Dabs say that these are not for "consumers". Do they just have to say that or is there real hitch?
If it was never OEM, do you mean I could get a free new CD from Microsoft? Hard to believe, but what would be the way to do that-- email them?

Rik · Apr 19, 2007, 16:17:36

If the machine came with Windows installed, it was almost certainly an OEM copy. The problem is that MS keeps changing the design of the stickers, so you can't tell for certain from those, but on some, the manufacturer's name will be printed.

Technically, OEM versions can only be sold to system builders - but if you're putting in a new HD, you're building the system, it won't work without it.

If the installation wasn't OEM, then you really should have a CD, but if you had one and lost it, it's possible that MS might oblige.

MrsGrey · Apr 19, 2007, 16:27:42

Thanks that's helpful.
Yes, the name ( Mesh computers) is on the lable. I guess that implies it is OEM.
OK so I could get the new HD and the OS together from Dabs, thus showing my self-assembly credentials.

Rik · Apr 19, 2007, 16:32:51

Indeed. You could try asking Mesh for a CD, but from what I hear of their service when you're in warranty, I wouldn't hold my breath. You should have no problems getting both from Dabs.

MrsGrey · Apr 19, 2007, 16:39:29

Cheers. Thanks for all your help. If you need any psychotherapy at any point, I'll be glad to oblige.

BTW, on the whole, when the PC was in warranty, we found mesh not bad, relpacing faulty DVD drives, and so on. Apart from the inevitable hours on hold...

Rik · Apr 19, 2007, 16:43:17

Quote from: MrsGrey on Apr 19, 2007, 16:39:29
Cheers. Thanks for all your help. If you need any psychotherapy at any point, I'll be glad to oblige.

As a depressive, I may just take you up on that!

QuoteBTW, on the whole, when the PC was in warranty, we found mesh not bad, relpacing faulty DVD drives, and so on. Apart from the inevitable hours on hold...

They have a dedicated forum, and reading the posts in there put me right off. Of course, it's all down to what kind of luck you have and who you talk to. I wouldn't recommend Evesham, btw - you can read all about that in Rant'n'Rave!

MrsGrey · Apr 19, 2007, 16:47:07

I'm all for Rant and Rave...

Rik · Apr 19, 2007, 16:49:49

Trust me, you will not be alone!