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Windows XP SP3 (Legal) download?

I bought a computer with windows XP a few years ago. XP stopped working (probably a virus) and I need to install it again. I have the sticker with microsoft license and cd key.

How can I get/download the XP install disk which will work with

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@Nir Post the brand of PC please – Moab Dec 12 '11 at 18:23
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closed as exact duplicate by grawity, techie007, sblair, DragonLord, studiohack♦ Dec 12 '11 at 18:46

This question covers exactly the same ground as earlier questions on this topic; its answers may be merged with another identical question. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

3 Answers

up vote 0 down vote accepted

Note the manufacturer and model as well as the serial number. Then look up the manufacturer's website and generally somewhere in their support area they probably have an OS/Recovery CD that you can purchase for about 20 to 25 bucks.

Alternatively since you DO have the Key and a valid CoA, you COULD hop onto Bit Torrents and attempt to find the OEM installation ISO. In the case of Dells this is generally pretty easy to do but if you don't get the right image, more than likely that Key from your CoA will be useless.

If you will post your model/maker and Serial Number I'd be happy to try and help you look it up from either source (the Manufacture OS disk or the Bit Torrent)

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eventually I found an OEM disk from another computer, installed it and did activation via phone with Microsoft – Nir Dec 13 '11 at 12:06
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up vote 1 down vote

If it's a big brand machine you can probably get recovery disks from the manufacturer and wipe the drive and start from factory default.

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up vote -1 down vote

Use the SysInternals tools to stop the malware processes on your existing XP install, then update your AV.

http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/SysinternalsMalwareCleaning.pdf

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too late for that – Nir Dec 13 '11 at 9:28
Yeah I am sorry to downvote ya but this did not seem like a helpful starting point considering where the asker started out at. – OG Chuck Low Dec 13 '11 at 20:21
No worries about the downvote. Just where I usually start helping family members who have always lost their OEM disks. – nick3216 Dec 14 '11 at 9:10
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