is it ok to use HP winxp product key on same PC with generic XP?

[Mike]

I have an HP PC which camer with XP (with of course all the standard HP
'value add' utilities) and it has the standard HP OEM product key stuck to
it.

I had Vista beta running on it - but decided given the amount of hardware
upgrades in ram / graphics card / and hard disk, I would revert to winxp.

Now while I think I have the HP restore CDs with the original image on it, I
don't want this. I just want a plain XP installation.

Questions:
1) Does the XP license that came with the PC allow me to use a generic copy
of XP?
2) Will the product key work with a generic XP version?

Thanks. Mike

 

[Juan Perez]

Hi:

Questions:
1) Does the XP license that came with the PC allow me to use a generic
copy of XP?

2) Will the product key work with a generic XP version?

I am fraid no. Your license key it is for your OEM copy of your windows. If
you want to install a "plain" windows XP copy, you will need to buy a retail
copy.

 

[Malke]

I have an HP PC which camer with XP (with of course all the standard HP
'value add' utilities) and it has the standard HP OEM product key stuck
to it.

I had Vista beta running on it - but decided given the amount of
hardware upgrades in ram / graphics card / and hard disk, I would revert
to winxp.

Now while I think I have the HP restore CDs with the original image on
it, I don't want this. I just want a plain XP installation.

Questions:
1) Does the XP license that came with the PC allow me to use a generic
copy of XP?
2) Will the product key work with a generic XP version?

You can install XP on your HP machine using a generic OEM disk and the
Product Key on the machine. You will probably need to use the telephone
activation option.


Malke