French to English swap

[Marko Jotic]

A friends picked up a nearly new used computer with XP Home in French,
he didn't think to ask. Its about to be re-installed, the previous owner
wisely wiped the disk.

Can I install an English version and use the license from his French CD?

--
Marko Jotic
"Common sense is anything but common".
From the notebooks of Lazarus Long. Robert A. Heinlein.
Handmade knives, antique designs, exotic materials at
http://www.knifeforging.com/

 

[Shenan Stanley]

A friends picked up a nearly new used computer with XP Home in
French, he didn't think to ask. Its about to be re-installed, the
previous owner wisely wiped the disk.

Can I install an English version and use the license from his
French CD?

No.

 

[Marko Jotic]

No.

Out of curiosity is that a "legal" no or a "technical" no.

If its the first one I'll call MS to try to exchange the French one

--
Marko Jotic
"Common sense is anything but common".
From the notebooks of Lazarus Long. Robert A. Heinlein.
Handmade knives, antique designs, exotic materials at
http://www.knifeforging.com/

 

[Shenan Stanley]

A friends picked up a nearly new used computer with XP Home in
French, he didn't think to ask. Its about to be re-installed, the
previous owner wisely wiped the disk.

Can I install an English version and use the license from his
French CD?

No.

Out of curiosity is that a "legal" no or a "technical" no.

If its the first one I'll call MS to try to exchange the French one

It's more of a "legal" no, but it may be that different languages have
differnt keys as well - not sure how that one works..

I do know that the laptop likely CAME WITH (originally) Windows XP
installed - and that means it is an OEM situation and Microsoft will not be
able to help you - only the original seller will. That also means that *if*
the key was interchangeable (between languages) - you would need a
plain-jane OEM english CD available to you in order to make this happen -
and I have no idea on the lega implications there.

 

[Marko Jotic]

It's more of a "legal" no, but it may be that different languages have
differnt keys as well - not sure how that one works..

I do know that the laptop likely CAME WITH (originally) Windows XP
installed - and that means it is an OEM situation and Microsoft will not be
able to help you - only the original seller will. That also means that *if*
the key was interchangeable (between languages) - you would need a
plain-jane OEM english CD available to you in order to make this happen -

I think the disks are physically different, but the contents are the same

and I have no idea on the lega implications there.

actually, its not a laptop, but they are OEM versions of home, I am
going to try anyway since its still one license per computer, then if it
doesn't I will get the guy to call MS


--
Marko Jotic
"Common sense is anything but common".
From the notebooks of Lazarus Long. Robert A. Heinlein.
Handmade knives, antique designs, exotic materials at
http://www.knifeforging.com/

 

[Plato]

A friends picked up a nearly new used computer with XP Home in French,
he didn't think to ask. Its about to be re-installed, the previous owner
wisely wiped the disk.

Can I install an English version and use the license from his French CD?

Why even try that? Just use the key that came with your english XP.

 

[Ron Martell]

A friends picked up a nearly new used computer with XP Home in French,
he didn't think to ask. Its about to be re-installed, the previous owner
wisely wiped the disk.

Can I install an English version and use the license from his French CD?

Product keys are specifically coded to identify the edition (Home,
Pro, etc.), version (OEM, Retail Upgrade, Volume License, etc.), and
Language.

They will not work unless the installation CD matches the Product Key
in all 3 of these items.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."