windows xp oem media

[lodore]

Hello,
my client's hard drive failed. i installed a new hard drive but they cant find their windows disc.
the computer is a sony vaio. does my client need to get the media from sony or is there a form to fill in to get the oem media directly from ms?

i also need to do the same for my parents computer since their disc has a huge big crack across the middle.
i thought i may as well combine them in to one post. btw for my parents computer the oem went bank corropt so i cannot get media from that company. im hoping in this case i can get media direct from MS.

[Lucio]

Sony Vaio I think use a recovery partion, so unless they made the discs as instructed they're screwed. Sony are also likely to be unhelpful for someone other than a Sony engineer making repairs at their vastly inflated prices.

For the second one, you can try MS, show them the cracked disc and proof that the company is bust but I wouldn't expect anything from them

[Splash]

With OEM the responsibility for support lies with the OEM, not Microsoft so I'd say you'll need your client to speak to Sony. You could try Microsoft themselves though, but I'm pretty certain that they'll be under no obligation to help.

[gss03]

With OEM the responsibility for support lies with the OEM, not Microsoft so I'd say you'll need your client to speak to Sony. You could try Microsoft themselves though, but I'm pretty certain that they'll be under no obligation to help.

Splash is correct.
OEM software is supported by the manufacturer of the machine, not Microsoft.
However, Sony will no doubt be able to supply you with a CD for £Shedloadofcash

Best solution would probably be to speak to someone who has XP Pro/ XP home and borrow their disk. Ensure you get the right one as the key on the COA won't work if you install the wrong version!

[Lee H]

Sony Vaio I think use a recovery partion, so unless they made the discs as instructed they're screwed

This is usually the case as most laptop manufacturers now have a partition with the image of the discs which can be burnt back. Usually it documents this in the MANUAL (yes I know people don't read them) but everytime a friend or family member gets a laptop I always inform them to do this as it makes my life easier 6-12 months down the line when something goes wrong with it.

[Kumagoro]

you should be able to install windows from a proper install disc (be it a retail one or OEM).

You enter the number on the sticker and it tells you to call microsoft to get it activated
they should (from my experience) do it no problem. I just tell them the HDD broke and so
lost the recovery partition.

I always Image it with acronis true image after it has been activated to save time later.

[lodore]

i was trying to use my parents windows xp oem disc to reinstall windows on my clients computer but it had a crack in it. the version i updated and slipstreamed sp3 didnt work eiether obviosally it couldnt read the original disc properly since it was partly cracked when i did that.
btw my client is going to ask their family if they have a windows xp disc they can borrow so it could be alright soon.