free version of xp?

Does anyone know of the availability of a downloadable free version of xp home? If not, a downloadable free recovery disk. Thanks.

R:confused

 

Used this guide to make one from an exixting emachine setup. It didn't work at first, but with a few minor changes I got a functioning, updated, validated, XP Home CD for a system that didn't have one. The i386 file was the key.
http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

 

Thanks - and I appreciate your advice. HP/Compaq no longer supports older versions of XP(or humans) and they are only willing to offer assistance for the "nominal" fee of $100.00 bucks. WARNING!!: To All -- never buy a Compaq or HP. They might work but generally they suck because they build
them on the cheap.

R:mad

 

Thanx Bugballou! I'll try this -- and pray!

R

 

What Compaq computer do you have?

 

presario 3630kr - FYI, etal, after arguing with hp techs for 3 days I finally convinced them to send me the xp recovery disk set they did not include in the factory sent edition. HP routinely leaves support items out of initial purchase packages to generate additional income from after market sales.
Please be aware of ALL the included items of ANY piece of hardware you purchase. As fast as this industry changes it gets worse instead of better for "average" home users. Superior techies, geeks and pros know what they need. It's the dufus like me that needs all the help they can find.

Thanks, kelnav.

R

 

Just a quick note for your next purchase, HP stopped supplying recovery disk for their systems. you can buy them but they will not come with a new machine like they use to. They put the task in your hands by telling you to make a back-up disk (1 allowed ) of your system right out of the box. If you fail to make it and you crash you are on your own unless you pay them for a recovery disk. I'm not sure about dell, gateway acer and so on but I'm sure if it a way they can save a few pennies, the rest of the industry will follow suit.

 

some computer makers keep the backup on a separate partition on your hard drive, and they use their own recovery software during boot up.... but as far as i know, alot of them are not shipping cd's anymore.