Hello. Am not sure if this subject has been covered, if so I apologize and thanks for the link...So, I have an HP desktop, and want to replace the motherboard and CPU. Typical of today, I have no WinXP disc, it all came on the computer. I do have a set of 6 recovery discs. Anyway, my question is, how do I reload WinXP after replacing my motherboard? Was told I need a disc to get started. Thanks in advance for the help.regards,Bill

Seems illegal to me, but this practice of some vendors (HP and ComPaq come to mind) selling systems loaded with software but not providing the discs themselves is becoming more commonplace. You paid for the software, why didn't you receive the discs?At any rate, if you live in the U.S. Newegg sells XP Home for a little less than $100.00. It's an OEM disc and has no install or troubleshooting instructions, but there's plenty of that sort of stuff on the web should you need it. The OEM product is perfectly legal, and in fact requires activation just like the retail version. It's what I use and I'm quite happy with it.http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc....-102-141&depa=6Hope this helps,Greg

The recovery disks will recover the HP desktop to the default condition when you purchased the computer. However, the recovery disks may bulk at a different MOBO or system, since it looks for key peripherals during the installation.Other than software, you might also have problems fitting a different MOBO into the HP case. Some manufacturers use cases that are hard to modify using standard components.W. Sieffert

big problem there...kinda forces u to stay with that system...thats why they dont give u the cd...and of course to not spend money. Id go for what Soarpics said, get xp..cus if anything happens in the future like hard drive failure or whatever u can install xp whenever u want ;)dario