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I have XP VLK (product key?), can I get a set of disks?

Question
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Hi all,
* I have a client's laptop that she purchased from a local community college a couple of years ago. It's a nice IBM running XP Pro.
*Came with an image from the school pre-installed
*She has had recent problems with the PC, but since she no longer goes to that college she no longer has access to their IT services (I.E. re-imaging). I'm trying to clean it up, but may need to reimage the thing myself...spyware stuff :>().
*Laptop has a Windows XP product key on the bottom of it.
Questions:
Can she get a copy of the software so that we can reload her O/S?
Whom should I contact to do this (assuming it is possible)?
Sincerely,
Scott
Friday, January 4, 2008 1:13 PM
Answers
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SBrehler,
If the CoA on the laptop reads "OEM Product" or "OEM Software" then a systembuilder/OEM licensing kit was used on the computer and you should be able to get a replacement for that CD for $30 from MS.
If the CoA on the laptop has the laptop's manufacturer's name printed on it, then it's almost a certainty that you will have to contact the laptop manufacturer and order a set of Recovery CDs. If the manufacturer says they have none in stock try www.restoredisks.com.
Saturday, January 5, 2008 4:03 PM
All replies
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How to replace missing Microsoft software: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246
Friday, January 4, 2008 2:43 PMModerator -
SBrehler,
Whether your customer still qualifies to use the license for XP that was put on her laptop by the school all depends upon the agreement the school has with Microsoft.
Some schools have made arrangements where their student software agreement allows the students to continue to use Microsoft software even after the student ends their association with the school (graduates/transfers/drops out/ etc), and some school agreements are good only so long as the student is an active member of the school's student body. The tech folks at the school are in the best position to answer that question for you.
If the student is still allowed to use the software, then the tech support staff at the school should be able to supply a disc for reinstallation/clean installation. If still allowed but no CD is available, then I would expect that any genuine Volume Licensing CD for the software in question (XP Pro) plus the still-valid VLK currently being used by the school should get the job done.
If student is no longer allowed to use the installed XP, then the XP license that came with the laptop (as evidenced by the CoA) is still 100% legitimate and authorized, so then it's just a matter of getting the Recovery or OS Reinstallation CDs or Reovery Solution that was provided by the laptop manufactuer and applying it, after of course offloading any data that student needs.
Friday, January 4, 2008 3:12 PM -
Thank you all for your input...
I got the laptop back on track after removing the spyware, but I'm going to contact MS to see if I can get a disk using the COA that I have.
Thanks again for the very prompt and informative replys!
Scott
Saturday, January 5, 2008 3:47 PM -
SBrehler,
If the CoA on the laptop reads "OEM Product" or "OEM Software" then a systembuilder/OEM licensing kit was used on the computer and you should be able to get a replacement for that CD for $30 from MS.
If the CoA on the laptop has the laptop's manufacturer's name printed on it, then it's almost a certainty that you will have to contact the laptop manufacturer and order a set of Recovery CDs. If the manufacturer says they have none in stock try www.restoredisks.com.
Saturday, January 5, 2008 4:03 PM -
My last question then is: what if there isn't either of those (OEM or the MFG. name)on the COA? Should I even bother trying to get disks from MS then?
Scott
Sunday, January 6, 2008 2:18 AM -
Sbrehler,
The only CoA that I am aware of that does not have the above is the retail CoA, and the retail CoA is affixed to the retail package's boxtop. The retail CoA does not have the PK printed on it, either.
If you indeed have a CoA affixed to the computer that has neither OEM or Mfg name on it (discounting the possibility that either one of those was originally on the CoA and then it was defaced), then chances are it's a poorly executed fake.
Sunday, January 6, 2008 3:58 AM -
Ugggh! I got reading glasses last year, I guess that I need to learn to wear them! It looked like just another part of the bar code but, there is the mfg. name on the COA (IBM)...I'm off to contact Lenovo for restore disks. I'm sorry for the confusion. I appreciate your time and the education!
Scott
Sunday, January 6, 2008 3:51 PM