Quick Legal Question

Okay, I want to keep things as legal as I can, so I have a question for you guys.

If I had a Windows XP Professional CD that I purchased and installed on my computer. Recently, I lost my CD, and that's where the dilemma comes in. My buddy has the exact same CD, so would it be legal to make a copy of his CD? I figure that, since I purchased the license in the form of the CD-Key, it would be perfectly legal. But I would like your guys' opinions.

Thanks!

 

all legallity aside for the moment, not all windows cds are the same... they are in themselves coded to a group or batch of cd keys... so it may not even work in the first place.... however if it did work then "TECHNICALLY" it would be legal... so motor on IMO

 

Yes, you can. As long as it's the the exact same installation (Home or Pro) and same license (OEM or Retail), it will work. The XP installation CD is not coded to any particular product key. The activation process is the anti-piracy feature, and has nothing to do with the CD. Since you have a valid license and product key, you should have no problems. MS is concerned more that you paid to use their OS, not the particular disc you use to install it. BTW, you must use your product key to activate, not your friends.