OS install help

[Thrillparks]

I just bought a pc without an OS and my current pc has xp pro on it and I want to install xp on the other computer but I have lost my install cd. I am wandering if there is any way to maybe burn the xp install files to cd or something from my current computer and then install xp on the newer one. I have done this before with Windows 98SE and WinME and it worked, but I cant find anything that looks like the OS install files. Does anyone know where I might look to find them or have any other suggestions? Help is appreciated.

[peekaboo]

rephrase your question to make it sound less like pirating and the folks here can surely help you.

[bigandy]

You'd have to buy another copy anyway, legally. You're only allowed to have the OS installed on one machine at a time. I suggest you buy the OEM version of XP from Newegg, it'll be much cheaper.

[Thrillparks]

Oops, sorry. Forgot to mention that I have legal COA's for both of the pc's just not the disks. Would it be legal to transfer the Os files somehow? Thanks.

[peekaboo]

since you have licenses and everything is on the up and up, why don't you just burn yourself a complete installation cd?
you could also refer to this page.

*Here's another moral/legal question: Is it legal to download software from filesharers (filesharing of copyrighted software is illegal but i believe downloading it is not) and then using the software legally by purchasing a license?
Is that not like downloading music from a legitimate service?
What's the difference if the filesharer paid the copyrighted or the downloader, so long as the legal owner is satisfied?

[Thrillparks]

That's what I am trying to do, but I don't know where to look for the files to burn. Can someone tell me how to do that? I really don't want to pay Microsoft more money to replace the cds unless there is no other choice. And as for filesharing, I don't want anything to do with it.

[peekaboo]

i was not encouraging you to get into filesharing (quite the opposite).
I just threw the question out there because i think it's an interesting one and i'd like to get peoples views.
perhaps i'll open a new thread about it.

I was suggesting that you borrow someones complete installation cd and either burn yourself a copy (one for each license you have) or simply install it onto your computer, with your legal license, rather than try to extract files from the running version.
I believe that doing this is morally sound since you are paying the software owner (MS) what is owed to them by purchasing a license and there is no need (in my opinion) to pay the additional cost of a nice box and cd (with all the markup).
But then again, what do i know?

[Thrillparks]

I don't know anyone with an xp pro install cd. Is it possible to get the install files from the running version? I don't believe that's illegal is it? When the OS is installed does it put any oof the install files on the hd?

[freakitchen]

I'm pretty sure you can't create a Windows install CD from a currently installed version.

The question about 'borrowing' a CD for the install process, and using your own, purchased COA is certainly an interesting question. Theoretically, it should be quite legal, given the fact that your purchase of XP is essentially a licence to use the software. Would be good to hear a definative answer on this one...

Freakitchen