C said:
I have a friend who has a Packard Bell. He has no XP CD and he got some
guy to install a pirated version of XP. There is a Product Key sticker
on the side of the case (it's a desktop, Pent 4). Will that product key
work with a generic OEM Home CD?
Thanks,
C
Yes, provided that the Product Key is also for WinXP Home.
Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of CD/license
(OEM, Volume, retail, or full) 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 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 usually (it's been reported that the Product
Key for a full license will work with an Upgrade CD) be mixed & matched.
--
Bruce Chambers
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