How To Tell Which Install CD Goes To Which Installation

G

Gary Brown

Hi,

We have two computers running XP Pro. How do
I tell which install CD goes to which computer?

Gary
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

If the CDs are identical, it does not matter.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi,
|
| We have two computers running XP Pro. How do
| I tell which install CD goes to which computer?
|
| Gary
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Gary said:
We have two computers running XP Pro. How do
I tell which install CD goes to which computer?


Both the same type (Retail, Upgrade or OEM)?
The actual CD won't matter if they are the same type - it is the CD Key that
matters.

You can find out what codes were used on the two machines - at least -
so you know which key goes with each:

Belarc Advisor
http://belarc.com/free_download.html

EVEREST Home Edition
http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?pid=1&lang=en

Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v1.41
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Magical JellyBean Keyfinder v1.5B3 (Office 2003)
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/kfbeta.shtml
 
Y

Yves Leclerc

If both systems are using the exact same "type" of CDs, then it does not
matter.

What is really important is that the CD Keys must match the software on the
CD. You can not install the Retail CD Key with an OEM version of the
install CD. This is the same for OEM CD Keys with Retail version of the
install CD.
 
G

Gary Brown

Gary said:
Both the same type (Retail, Upgrade or OEM)?
The actual CD won't matter if they are the same type - it is the CD Key
that matters.

You can find out what codes were used on the two machines - at least -
so you know which key goes with each:

Thanks, Belarc did it.

Both disks are retail, full install. One computer has a
corrupted OS and its CD and repair disk are missing.
All attempts to fix using the "other" CD have failed
therefore I assumed the missing CD was needed.
That might be incorrect. I have the key for every
OS from W95 on recorded except the missing one
(figures!).

Are all retail versions identical or do some include
SPs not in others? Would that prevent one disk
being used to repair an installation of the another?

Thanks,
Gary
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Gary said:
Thanks, Belarc did it.

Both disks are retail, full install. One computer has a
corrupted OS and its CD and repair disk are missing.
All attempts to fix using the "other" CD have failed
therefore I assumed the missing CD was needed.
That might be incorrect. I have the key for every
OS from W95 on recorded except the missing one
(figures!).

Are all retail versions identical or do some include
SPs not in others? Would that prevent one disk
being used to repair an installation of the another?

If they are both Full Retail versions - then it does not matter which you
use. However - you should use something like AutoStreamer to
slipstream/integrate the latest Service pack into your installation media
and create new media for yourself. That may solve the issues you are having
using the other CD.
 
G

Gary Brown

Yves Leclerc said:
What is really important is that the CD Keys must match the software on
the CD.

The problem computer is temporarily running off an old disk with ME. I
can access the disk with the corrupted OS and copy all important files.
A reformat of that disk and reinstall of XP will require the CD key, won't
it?
Where would I get the CD key for the corrupted OS? Did MS get a copy
when XP was registered or will Belarc or other sw extract it?

Thanks,
Gary
 
R

Rock

Gary said:
The problem computer is temporarily running off an old disk with ME. I
can access the disk with the corrupted OS and copy all important files.
A reformat of that disk and reinstall of XP will require the CD key, won't
it?
Where would I get the CD key for the corrupted OS? Did MS get a copy
when XP was registered or will Belarc or other sw extract it?

Thanks,
Gary

See if this might help retrieve the key:
http://nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
 

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