System Install Disk Lost, What Are My Options?

[Los Feliz Slim]

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop that I should really do a clean install on, but I don't have the reinstall disk that came with my computer. Do I have any options other than buying a new package of Windows software? And I'm not really interested in the other option that we can't discuss here anyway, I'm a stickler about not pirating stuff.

[_dave_]

It has the KEY stuck to the machine, right? you haven't lost that?

If so, no worries - just borrow a real Windows disk from someone you know. IIRC it should be the same variant, most likely OEM - so anyone you know with one of those is good.

You are paying for the key, not the installation media - so you are not doing anything wrong borrowing someone elses install disk.

Just avoid downloading some trojan filled CD image off the net.

Make sure to download all relevant drivers from Dell's site and burn them to CD beforehand - once you format, it can be a pain to find out you have no internet access and are stuck without a network driver [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Good luck,

dave.

[Freakin]

call dell, give them your service tag, get a reinstall disk for like $10.

Or

If you have your windows OEM key on the bottom of the laptop then you can get a disk from pretty much anyone who has a dell laptop and got the reinstall disk for your same windows version (XP MCE?).

You have a license to the OEM version of Windows, so if you get a copy of that CD, regardless of where you get it from, you're not pirating.

You can get all drivers directly off dell's site. If you only have one computer, make sure you download all the drivers you will need BEFORE reformatting and back them up to a usb key.

[Los Feliz Slim]

Thanks guys.