Going straight

[Ragnar]

I have decided to 'go straight' and replace my slightly dodgy installation
of Windows XP Pro with a legitimate version that I can authenticate online
with Microsoft. So I bought an OEM version on Ebay.

It has just arrived and comes with a COA as advertised. However it is a
Fujitsu-Siemens recovery version and my computer is not a Fujitsu-Siemens.

First question - can I do a format and install using this disk? (I suspect
the answer is NO)

Second question (if the answer was NO) - can I keep my present install
(which works perfectly well by the way) and use my legitimately-acquired COA
in some way to authenticate it? If so does anyone have a link to a good site
that gives blow-by-blow instructions for doing this?

If the worst comes to the worst I can just send the disk back and get a
refund.

TIA
R.

 

[Malke]

I have decided to 'go straight' and replace my slightly dodgy installation
of Windows XP Pro with a legitimate version that I can authenticate online
with Microsoft. So I bought an OEM version on Ebay.

It has just arrived and comes with a COA as advertised. However it is a
Fujitsu-Siemens recovery version and my computer is not a Fujitsu-Siemens.

First question - can I do a format and install using this disk? (I suspect
the answer is NO)

Second question (if the answer was NO) - can I keep my present install
(which works perfectly well by the way) and use my legitimately-acquired COA
in some way to authenticate it? If so does anyone have a link to a good site
that gives blow-by-blow instructions for doing this?

If the worst comes to the worst I can just send the disk back and get a
refund.

I'm sorry but the answers are No and No. You need to purchase a full
retail version of XP Pro if you want to keep your installation intact.
Otherwise purchase a full retail version of XP [some version] or a
legitimate OEM version (understanding that limitations of OEM) and do a
clean install.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#018 - I need to change my
XP Product KEY #18 on the FAQ list


Malke

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You probably bought what for you is no more than an over priced
coaster.
The recovery CD will probably not work on your computer, but you can
try.
I suggest you get a refund if that is possible.

Purchase Windows XP from a legitimate source such as a respected local
shop or major retailer.

If you want to avoid a clean Installation, you need to purchase
windows XP Pro since there is no downgrade path from Windows XP Pro to
Home.

 

[Ragnar]

You probably bought what for you is no more than an over priced
coaster.
The recovery CD will probably not work on your computer, but you can
try.
I suggest you get a refund if that is possible.

Purchase Windows XP from a legitimate source such as a respected local
shop or major retailer.

If you want to avoid a clean Installation, you need to purchase
windows XP Pro since there is no downgrade path from Windows XP Pro to
Home.

Let me be sure I understand you JJ - you talk about Home but I never said
it was Home edition. Both my existing installation and the disk I purchased
are Professional edition.

With that in mind, are you saying that I can not use the COA on my legally
owned OEM disk to authenticate my present installation?

R.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

With that in mind, are you saying that I can not use the COA on my legally
owned OEM disk to authenticate my present installation?

R.

You seem to have a pirated Volume License installed, and that *cannot*
be "validated" with an OEM Product key. Product Keys are bound to the
specific type and language of CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or
Upgrade) with which they are purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM
Product Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any
version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot
be used with a full version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will
not work to install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not
work with an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CD/license types
cannot be mixed & matched.

You'll need to use your OEM *full* license of WinXP Pro to perform
a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation over the VL
installation, using the new CD and Product Keys.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Daave]

Let me be sure I understand you JJ - you talk about Home but I
never said it was Home edition. Both my existing installation and the
disk I purchased are Professional edition.

In your original post, you indicated that "it is a Fujitsu-Siemens
recovery" disk. If you want to "go straight," then you either need to
purchase a full retail version of XP Pro or a full generic OEM version
of XP Pro. The Product Key that comes with either of these would be
used. Specifically, you would need to use the Windows Product Key Update
Tool. The Fujitsu-Siemens recovery disk you purchased and its associated
product key won't work. If you choose to purchase the generic OEM
version, do yourself a favor and purchase it from "a respected local
shop or major retailer," as Jupiter Jones said.

With that in mind, are you saying that I can not use the COA on my
legally owned OEM disk to authenticate my present installation?

That COA is tied to the original Fujitsu-Siemens PC on which that
particular copy of XP was installed and is not transferable. You bought
a coaster, my friend.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The reference to Windows XP Home was intended if you considered
purchasing Windows XP Home.
If that is the case, a Clean Installation is your only option.
If you purchase Windows XP Pro, you can perform an upgrade
installation since the pirated version is Windows XP Pro.

You can try to use the recovery media, but my guess is it is worthless
to you unless you have value in a low quality coaster.
The key that came with it is OEM and thus probably will not work with
other media.
You can try it with generic OEM media, but there may be problems.

The easiest solution may be to purchase Windows XP Pro retail or
generic OEM.
And return the recovery media and key.

"legally owned OEM disk"
That is questionable.
Generally OEM licenses live and die on the original computer
regardless the condition of the original computer.
You may legally own the disk, but use other than a coaster is what is
questionable.

some of the many reasons OEM is cheaper than retail.

 

[Ragnar]

Thank you all for your replies.

The disk goes back tomorrow for a refund.

R.