SG Broadband Community

I am not sure if this should go in Marketplace or here, but I am putting it here.

I recently purchased a used Gateway 510X PC. It has a valid XP Home Oem license, but it did not come with the software (nor was there a hard drive included). I want to be legit with this PC, so the question I would ask is if there is anyone out there that has a Gateway XP Home CD? I know I can probably purchase one from Gateway, but I also know that they would charge me an arm and a leg for it.

Thanks in advance.

Waferdog

If you have a legit license key just borrow a XP Home cd from a friend and copy it with CloneCD and use the key you have. You may have to call MS to activate but it is legit, it's not your fault you didn't get an XP cd. I have to use a regular XP Home cd on client's Dells all the time because they lost their cd, I just have to call MS to reactivate.

Thanks for the reply, but unfortunately that method has not worked.

It is not a matter of activation, rather, when installing the OS, it will not accept the product key. I've tried it with a straight XP Home OEM CD, XP Home VLM CD and an XP Home Retail CD. All say 'Product Key Not Valid' when I input it. This leads me to believe that I need to have an actual Gateway branded XP Home CD.

Or is there another way?

Sorry it didn't work, but that is odd, I have used an original XP cd for many installs on Dells, Gateways, EMachines etc.

Many OEM keys are different from retail, and even OEM OS cd's can have a unique install depending on the bulk install packages they come from...some models even do a check with a special BIOS feature to make sure it follows the OEM guideline and you're not installing that key/license on another machine (as technically, OEM software cannot be transferred from the computer it was originally on).

YeOldeStonecat wrote:(as technically, OEM software cannot be transferred from the computer it was originally on).

True.... but when I call I just tell them that a hard drive failed or I added a new mobo, or I had to because of a bug (or something) and they give me new codes. Think I've done that about 5-6 times now.

So what are my options? I contacted Gateway and they are unable or unwilling to provide me any replacement media. They do want to sell me a full $199 version of the software, which makes no sense to me. I already have the legitimate license, which is really what you are paying for.

Newegg has XP Home for $87

MadDoctor wrote:True.... but when I call I just tell them that a hard drive failed or I added a new mobo, or I had to because of a bug (or something) and they give me new codes. Think I've done that about 5-6 times now.

That's still fine..I've done that several hundred times. I mean...you can't (according to Microsofts EULA) take the OEM Windows XP Homeless CD and license...that came with your eMachine or Gateway PC...and install it on that fancy new uber gaming machine that you purchased bare bones, or on a Dell that came with Windows ME that your cousin gave you. Even if you threw out the eMachine or Gateway...and don't intend on ever using it again..that Windows license is intended to follow it to the dump.

YARDofSTUF wrote:Newegg has XP Home for $87

I don't see why I want or have to purchase anything. I have a Gateway PC with the original XP Home license attached. It is legit, but I do not have the media to reinstall it and Gateway will not provide replacement software.

waferdog wrote:I don't see why I want or have to purchase anything. I have a Gateway PC with the original XP Home license attached. It is legit, but I do not have the media to reinstall it and Gateway will not provide replacement software.

The reason you need to purchase something is because you said gateway won't provide replacement media. Unless you can find another Gateway OEM CD that your key will work on, your screwed.

I agree that you shouldnt have to, but I think your stuck.

YARDofSTUF wrote:The reason you need to purchase something is because you said gateway won't provide replacement media. Unless you can find another Gateway OEM CD that your key will work on, your screwed.

I agree that you shouldnt have to, but I think your stuck.

Thus this thread asking if anyone has a Gateway XP Home CD that may work.

Well good luck, maybe check bit torrent or something like that, since you have a legal key.

YARDofSTUF wrote:Well good luck, maybe check bit torrent or something like that, since you have a legal key.

Bittorrent was a no-go.

YARDofSTUF wrote:Well good luck, maybe check bit torrent or something like that, since you have a legal key.

Yah...get a nice "special version" of XP with a couple of hundred trojans built into it. You "thought" you were just downloading an OS...but in reality.....

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Yah...get a nice "special version" of XP with a couple of hundred trojans built into it. You "thought" you were just downloading an OS...but in reality.....

Then you go find a client with a gateway box with XP home on it and burn him a copy of the disc



So I googled the gateway 510X, 2.8ghz. You got a gig of ram, DVD drive, and a decent video card in it? Maybe load up Vista Beta 2?

YeOldeStonecat wrote:..that Windows license is intended to follow it to the dump.

Understood kind sir.