Reformat and Install Windows XP Home

**robbery525** · 01-10-2008

I am working on a computer where none of the EXEs worked whatsoever. I had done a system restore, which caused windows to not even boot up. The BSOD didnt appear, but it froze on startup. I even left it there trying to start up for a good hour and still nothing. It was still on the same screen. but with some "..........." saying it was starting up.
So i took the hdd out and hooked it up to another computer, and formatted everything because there was nothing to do with it anymore.
Is there a way to install XP on the disk again and have it still legit? Do you think MS would let that or would i have to buy the cd key somehow?
I dont have the bootable cd, but can easily get one. I just need to know about the cd key pretty much.

Tried ghosting my drive but my comp wouldnt let me. So thats why im postin this.

**Geo3213** · 02-10-2008

Hi,
What i would suggest you in this situation!
Grab a bootable CD & try installing your XP product on your hdd right from scratch! Now see if it asks for CD key & it will now provide the same CD key & see what happens! If everything goes well you don't need to buy the CD key again from MS!
Let us know what happens! I hope this helps you!
All the Best!