no Windows XP CD to reinstall on new hard drive

[britbrat87]

Recently, my laptop shut down on its own and when i restarted, I got the message "No operating system"...later on I found out that my hard drive had been damaged (by unknown causes).

In a few weeks I'll be purchasing a new hard drive, but I do not have the Windows XP CD to reinstall...I DO have the product key though... What should I do? (other than getting another XP CD)...

 

[raybay]

If the CD was provided by a computer manufacture, they will usually sell you a replacement cheaply. Dell sells them for about $14 including postage, and HP and Compaq sell them for $27 including FedEx delivery. Sony is difficult to impossible. eMachines is easy.
Most of them work under the rule that they sell the discs until they run out, but will not make more... so don't delay.
The product key will only work with the install that came with the original disc...
Otherwise Windows XP OEM is $64 to $85...
Many times install discs from other models of the same brand will work, but not with Sony or HP.