Reformatting without any CDs?

[impguardman]

I have a Compaq Presario that came with XP Media. It came with a bunch of usual things like Norton and junk programs. What I am looking to do is reformat. I have no OS cds to my name atm. I called HP and it is $45 for recovery cds.

I got my product key out of the registry, something I always did in the olden days of computer troubleshooting.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
The number is listed under ProductId

So I have my key, all I need is an OS cd. Now if I was to download a Windows XP Media edition torrent, burn to CD run that and input my product key I got from my registry would that work. I am looking just for the OS. The drivers I can get no problem, its just the OS.

Also is the legal? Using my cd key that origionally came with my computer.

Also if anyone have a good link for XP Media Edition torrent that would be great.

 

[peterhuang913]

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Retail SP2 Integrated June 2007 Torrent - btjunkie

this is a good torrent

 

[OatesyX]

It should work .Ive done it with a dell a few times. I think its legal because you paid for xp with the computer and technically you have a right to have a right to have a backup version of the software you purchase.
( Correct me if im wrong)

 

[AOneEyedCobra]

Cripes i wish this had posted yesterday I could have saved 60.00$ from IBM for a recovery cd

 

[EricB]

tell them you want you money back.

do you have the I386 folder on your C Drive and do you have external hdd?

you don't need a torrent if you have this. you will need a bart pe cd though. it's free.

isn't your serial on the bottom on the computer?