Genuine XP key but no CD

**headsortails** · 25th October 2007

I have a Sony VAIO laptop which used to have a recovery partition until (like a dick) I deleted for more space.

I want to format the HD and reinstall but obviously don't the XP software.

Do you think I could just someone elses disc but enter the key from the bottom of the laptop?

Will any disc of the correct variant (this is Pro) do, or will it need to be pre SP2 as this was and be OEM?

**inspectercoley** · 25th October 2007

You should be able to use that key on any service pack 2 or old windows xp disk but not necessarily.
Make sure if the default is SP2 try to install that and vice versa.
Download all the relevant drivers from the Sony support pages as well unless you have them on disk already.
Quite often it takes me ages to find the sound ones other little annoying ones.

If it does not work, however, you can use a temporary key and then phone microsoft when you get to the activation page and they will be able to fix it.
I think it is only XP Home that has this though. When I tried to install XP on a laptop using the key it had stickered onto it it didn't work so I had to use a more generic one.

The sony partition is not really an xp install its more of an image that includes their software and drivers as well.

**DJAd** · 25th October 2007

Download a "sorted" version mate, I got this pukka OEM (I think) version, I have installed on a few machines with no problems. It's pre-SP1 so I have to update each time, but it's all activated and lets me get all the updates that sometimes need validating.

**hjf288** · 25th October 2007

He has a legal key so he can download the OS and burn it to CD.

He has a license to use the software, by obtaining the software he is only excercising his right to have a backup disc (in the event his original has been lost which it has)