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XP license and CD question
Name: Matt Date: September 14, 2002 at 01:12:06 Pacific OS: XP CPU/Ram: 384
Comment:
I have two computers running XP. One that actually came with the XP Cd and one that I got at Best Buy that didn't come with a XP Cd.
Both have legal licenses; however if I needed to reinstall XP on the comp that DID NOT come with the Cd, would I be able to use the other Cd with the proper license for that machine?
Name: Rich Date: September 14, 2002 at 01:19:23 Pacific
Reply:
Yes, licences are independent of the CDs
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Response Number 2
Name: CJ Date: September 14, 2002 at 01:36:34 Pacific
Reply:
Actually the computer with no XP cd would have an OEM license and probably would not work. If the computer you purchased was an HP or Compaq it should have a restore partition. If you are worried about hard drive failure or want to be safe you could back up the restore partition onto CD's.
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Response Number 3
Name: Ron Watts Date: September 14, 2002 at 05:34:52 Pacific
Reply:
I dont think it matters OEM or retail if HP or compaq left something out use your retail CD and the OEM key on the back of the machine. Or just insert the cd from within windows and add the backup or netbois or what ever they left out it will be in the value add folder
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Response Number 4
Name: Steve Harding Date: September 14, 2002 at 07:11:02 Pacific
Reply:
I might be wrong, but I think if you use the CD to install XP on the machine that dosent have a cd, you will have problems...ie:Activation. It will probably need activating, & because you will have already done this with the other pc, it will not work. The only way you can reinstall on the pc without the CD, is to do it from the hidden partion (if it's got one) - to do this you MAY need a 'restore' disc. I've never done this myself, so I'm not 100% sure. Regards Steve
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Response Number 5
Name: Dick Johnson Date: September 14, 2002 at 07:18:57 Pacific
Reply:
You can use the retail CD to do any "repair" of the OEM loaded system. It will use the existing OEM key code that's in the system. No reactivation should be required.
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Response Number 6
Name: Ger Date: September 14, 2002 at 10:30:26 Pacific
Reply:
If you do a repair with the cd, it's going to ask for the cd key and you're going to have to enter one. What that will do concerning activation is just guesswork unless someone here has actually done it. If you want to be the test case, you can go ahead and try it, but I don't think it will work unless you have the OEM key, and I don't think you do.
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Response Number 7
Name: Ron Watts Date: September 14, 2002 at 22:20:44 Pacific
Reply:
Most all of the OEM installs on sony compaq emachine or whatever have a genuine MS lable on it with the cd key listed in the holagram. It should activate as long as the hardware matches the key.I had to activate the one I bought at best buy. But I did not have to enter the key.I checked and the key is on the back of the case on the MS sticker. As long as the key matches the PC it should not matter. Just dont get the keys mixed up or your screwed
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