I physically cracked my Win XP PRo cd. Help!

[redalert]

hello,

I rode over my winxp pro cd wiith my computer chair cracking it and in the process rendering it useless. Now will MS send me another copy or do I have to shell out $140 or so dollars for a new copy?

I stupidly laid it on the floor as I was preparing to reinstall the OS after unknowingly downloading some nasty viruses that sent the OS into a tailspin.

[bailey]

give them a call, if you regestered it and activated it, and with a fee, they may replace it, or not.
got to at least give it a shot.

[yellohut]

you can always use a friends cd, or have them burn you a copy..
it's legal as long as you have your own registration ncode from the original cd.

[bailey]

Originally posted by yellohut you can always use a friends cd, or have them burn you a copy.. it's legal as long as you have your own registration ncode from the original cd.

but that won't work

[Confused]

Originally posted by bailey but that won't work

Without getting into the legalities, I will say this. I have a burned copy of my XP at my desk with the original in the safe. I built my sister a PC and purchased a copy of XP for her. I loaded her PC using my burned copy and used her license number when prompted. I really do not think I did anything illegal. I have a legal copy of XP in the safe and my sister has a legal copy of XP still in the shrinkwrap.
Chas

[bigandy]

It is legal, and will work if you burn your own copy of the disc, for your personal use only, or in the case of Chas, the person still has their own copy.

I think you're still better off trying to contact MS, and explaining what happened. They should give you a replacement, but hey, it is MS .

[HAL9000]

MS WILL replace the broken CD for the cost of the media plus shipping and handling.

[redalert]

Thanks guys . I guess I'll try the MS route since I've no way of getting a copy of WinXP Pro by other means. I'll keep you posted.

[Strong Lead]

I heard that on XP Pro you don't activate your copy your just use a serial number whereas in XP Home you must activate it.

I figure it's because an admin that is install Pro on 50 computers would get pretty annoyed having to activate all of these copies.

Don't they get just the one CD but buy multiple licenses (serial numbers)???

[bailey]

Originally posted by Strong Lead I heard that on XP Pro you don't activate your copy your just use a serial number whereas in XP Home you must activate it. I figure it's because an admin that is install Pro on 50 computers would get pretty annoyed having to activate all of these copies. Don't they get just the one CD but buy multiple licenses (serial numbers)???

not true

[Strong Lead]

show how does it work?

[bailey]

xp-pro and xp-home are the same and must both be activated to work after 30 days

some educational instutitions have a specical edition, but I do not know for sure about the activaction for them.

also there is a corp, edition that does not require a activation, but you cannot buy them.