My question is, I have about 5 computers with my that all have Windows XP Pro cd keys. They all need to be reformatted and I need to get a Windows XP Pro installaction disk. What type of Windows XP Pro cd do I need to be able to install XP on each machine? I am looking for an installation disk that I can use on multiple computers. This way I can reinstall Windows using one cd and that computers own cd key. I am very comfused about OEM and Retail and what not and am trying to get a straight answer.

To get a straight answer, we need to know exactly how you came about those five XP Pro keys -- did they come with your machine? Also, are these all VAR/OEM machines like Dull or Getaway etc? http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/... Windows 7 News!

I have 5 laptops, that I bought from eBay, friends, and craigslist. Each basically need to be reformatted and they each have their own COA cd key sticker on the bottom of the systems. 3 are Dell and 2 are Toshiba's. I am just looking for a way to be able to reinstall Windows XP Pro with just one cd. I just want this process to be easy, because sometimes find image files can be tricky. What I am basically wondering is if I purchased say: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat... Could I use this on all 5 machines because I have 5 legit Windows XP Pro cd keys. Then proceed to use it when necessary for other Windows XP Pro machines.

Straight answer: Google & download an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro. It's all you need & there's absolutely no need to purchase anything. I'm guessing that going into exact details about how to accomplish this may not be approved on this site, even though there's no piracy whatsoever involved since you apparently have legal COAs for the OS licenses that came with the machine. But to digress, I'll toss out a hint ... Torrent. Optional Suggestion: Aside from above, there's a long & convoluted way to obtain replacement discs for your OEM equipment & it involves contacting the machine vendor and/or M$ for help on the matter. You might get tossed back & forth but one of them will help you in the end & more than likely it should be the vendor. I wouldn't even waste my time on this option if I was you since the first option will get you what you want without much hassles. http://www.pctoday.com/Editorial/ar... Good luck! Windows 7 News!

Does it have to be OEM or would a retail download work just the same?

If you have like a dell xp pro install disc with a product number you should be able to redo all the PC's and laptops you have with that OS. Home for Home and Pro for Pro. You put in the product key of the CD you are using when installing, and then you put in the COA cd key sticker number from the computer you are re-doing. You will have to use the phone registration for that but it is not too painfull, just enter the numbers in on your phone keypad and answer the question at the end about how many PC's etc the OS is on which will of course only be ONE, as you are using the product key from the specific computer. Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions Cheers

Thank you everyone for all your help. I was just reading up on using... torrents.... and then having to call if the cd key wasn't working, but was a legal copy. They said the whole system is automated which should make the process very simple. You learn something new everyday. Thanks again everyone.