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Windows XP I have the original product key BUT NO DISK

I have a Dell Inspiron 9400 I don't have any backup cd's or any other type oF restore  or installation disks or media of the os. I do have the original product key, how can I get a replacement disk? I can not get one from DELL.

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If you cannot get one from Dell, you are pretty much out of luck.  The key on your computer will only work with Dell restore media.  Windows XP is no longer marketed so it's pretty unlikely you can find a trustable, legitimate source.

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Hi,

I have reason to believe that the Inspiron 9400 has a recovery partition accessible at boot time by Ctrl-F11. You could use this mechanism in the event that your system needs to be restored to 'factory condition'.

To preserve the ability to use this mechanism you could clone your current hard disk using, for example, Acronis software. A clone would protect you in the event that your current hard drive suffers a catastrophe.

Tricky

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You can use an OEM disc.  Ask a friend if you can borrow his OEM disc.  Only and OEM disc will work.
A+ce, Network+ce, IT for sales certified technician

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http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/feedback/forum/user/what-is-and-isnt-piracy/c3f9b09d-e56b-4af6-8002-3b03008af01e?page=1

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Out of curiosity, was that pointed to me?  Using a friends CD is not piracy, it is only piracy if you use their key. 
A+ce, Network+ce, IT for sales certified technician

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According to your manual, you are not supposed to have a disk. Instead, you need to run Dell PC Restore by Symantec, per these instructions:


To use PC Restore:

1. Turn on the computer. 

During the boot process, a blue bar with www.dell.com appears at the top of the screen.

2. Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press <Ctrl><F11>. 

If you do not press <Ctrl><F11> in time, let the computer finish starting, and then restart the computer again.

  NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot in the following step.

3. On the next screen that appears, click Restore. 

4. On the next screen, click Confirm. 

The restore process takes approximately 6–10 minutes to complete.

5. When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer. 

  NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot.

6. When prompted, click Yes. 

The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer was turned on.

7. Click Next. 

The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts.

8. After the computer restarts, click OK.


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Hello Allen,

It was for the information of all current contributors and future readers. It is a somewhat lengthy thread with several offshoots. Please feel free to add to the debate.

Tricky

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I appreciate your answer, but it was bought used, no manuals or anything else, I went to the Dell website, I got the same information you've given me. However, as stated in my question, I do not have any backup, restore or installation disks or media, where media refers to partition or hard drive, It seems someone installed a pirated copy of Windows XP Professional on the computer, so now it doesn't pass windows genuine validation test.. I  would try to change the key, but the original OS was Windows XP Home edition,  Thanks

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What is an OEM disk? And are you sure that would work?

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Well... with the new information, no, you will have to use an OEM disc for XP home and use the key that is on the laptop.  An OEM disc is one of three types of disc, retail, OEM, and volume.
A+ce, Network+ce, IT for sales certified technician

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Last updated December 13, 2023 Views 3,224 Applies to: