I purchased a Dell computer a few yrs ago that came with XP Professional. I can't find the original installation CD that came with it, but the license serial number is attached to the case. Since I never actually did an install I'm not even sure if it was a CD, might have been a DVD. But anyways, I'd like to obtain replacements. How do I go about this? Thanks.

Do you know someone who has an XP Pro CD? Ask them to burn you a copy, then use your legal key to do the install.

That won't work. At least, I'm damn sure it won't. If the 'legal key' on the computer has been already used with another XP CD, as far as I know it won't work with another, i.e., after 30 days when it comes to activation time, no go. If I'm wrong, this is news to me. Why serve in heaven when you can reign in hell?

celcius, guess what...you are wrong! The coa is not tied to the CD except as to being the Type of operating system...ie...Retail...upgrade...OEM..etc. All branded computer manufacturers, such as Dell, HP, Gateway... use OEM licenses (COA) but because they install hundreds of operating systems on the same makes and models they use a Volume license installation where they can install the Original installation and activate with one lincese key. that is why the COA licenses don't ever match from what the installation shows as the activation COA and what the sticker is on the computer. The sticker COA is the true one and is what has to be used to reinstall if need be. If the operating system is XP Pro then any XP Pro OEM will work to reinstall the operating system. In The Matters Of Style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, Stand Like A Rock "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."

I've had some success using that method on a couple of occassions with the exception that I got a new CD, media only type, from one of the surplus eSellers. Pricewatch.com is one source and Google, my best friend, is sure to come up with more sources. What's really important I think is that the media match the product key that you have. If XPPro is installed be sure the CD is XPPro. I would also use an app like SIW or PCWizard 2008 to extract the product keys and serial numbers, anything that would identify the OS to Microsoft, and if push came to shove, order a replacement CD from MS. Keep us posted if you would. It would be helpful to have a record of the actual results of your efforts.

If you phone DELL Support they will confirm that you can use any DELL XP Professional CD, even a copy, this does not ask for a "KEY" during install. I have done this on 6 DELL PC's which the original owner had lost the Media. If you have a non Service Pack CD, it is feasible with nLite to create a CD with SP2 etcetc

If you are just looking for a disk to use in the future then I suggest you contact Dell and request one. I believe they will charge you $25 dollars. I don't know what Dell is doing these days but you may be able to create your own disks from the data on the harddrive. It depends. If you DID receive a restore CD then you probably can't create one. The advantage of having the Dell CD is that all the drivers will be included. In addition there may be additional software that was originally included.