Repair Install..

[JD]

When I built my current computer, the one I'm using to post this
message, I bought duplicate parts and built a second computer. For ease
of discussion, the original computer is #1 and the second computer is #2.

I have cloned the two hard drives from #1 and put them into #2. It works
but there are some hardware differences between #1 and #2 so #2 wants to
be authenticated, etc but I don't want to do that. I want to be able to
use both computers.

If I buy Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 OEM can I use that disk
to basically install that version onto hard drive #2 without losing
everything on HD #2?

According to the following web page, what I want to do is possible:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Is the information on the above web page correct?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

When I built my current computer, the one I'm using to post this
message, I bought duplicate parts and built a second computer. For
ease of discussion, the original computer is #1 and the second
computer is #2.
I have cloned the two hard drives from #1 and put them into #2. It
works but there are some hardware differences between #1 and #2 so
#2 wants to be authenticated, etc but I don't want to do that. I
want to be able to use both computers.

If I buy Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 OEM can I use that
disk to basically install that version onto hard drive #2 without
losing everything on HD #2?

According to the following web page, what I want to do is possible:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Is the information on the above web page correct?

The differences you speak of are likely the NIC MAC address and other serial
numbers - most likely.

You need multiple licenses for Windows XP to run it on two different
computers. I believe when you say, "wants to be authenticated" you mean
"activated" and without activation - your system will be worthless shortly.

While the repair installation instructions will take into account the HAL
differences and make the system boot - I assume given your description that
is not your issue. Your issue is you are trying to utilize the same license
(product key) on two different systems - and you cannot do that in
accordance with the EULA.

Now if you have two licenses and you are just trying to save yourself time
in installing one of the machines... Just use the Microsoft product key
change tool to change the product key to the other legitimate key you have
and activate it there.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...46&clcid=0x409

 

[Shenan Stanley]

When I built my current computer, the one I'm using to post this
message, I bought duplicate parts and built a second computer. For
ease of discussion, the original computer is #1 and the second
computer is #2.
I have cloned the two hard drives from #1 and put them into #2. It
works but there are some hardware differences between #1 and #2 so
#2 wants to be authenticated, etc but I don't want to do that. I
want to be able to use both computers.

If I buy Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 OEM can I use that
disk to basically install that version onto hard drive #2 without
losing everything on HD #2?

According to the following web page, what I want to do is possible:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Is the information on the above web page correct?

The differences you speak of are likely the NIC MAC address and
other serial numbers - most likely.

You need multiple licenses for Windows XP to run it on two different
computers. I believe when you say, "wants to be authenticated" you
mean "activated" and without activation - your system will be
worthless shortly.
While the repair installation instructions will take into account
the HAL differences and make the system boot - I assume given your
description that is not your issue. Your issue is you are trying
to utilize the same license (product key) on two different systems
- and you cannot do that in accordance with the EULA.

Now if you have two licenses and you are just trying to save
yourself time in installing one of the machines... Just use the
Microsoft product key change tool to change the product key to the
other legitimate key you have and activate it there.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...46&clcid=0x409

Oops - link got fubar'd.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=50346&clcid=0x409

Short version of my response...

Get your new license for Windows XP Home, run the product key update tool I
linked you to on the other machine to change the product key to the new
legitimate one and activate it online.

Now you have two identical machines whose licenses are good and working.

 

[JD]

Oops - link got fubar'd.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=50346&clcid=0x409

Short version of my response...

Get your new license for Windows XP Home, run the product key update tool I
linked you to on the other machine to change the product key to the new
legitimate one and activate it online.

Now you have two identical machines whose licenses are good and working.

I currently have two XP Upgrade disks, each installed on two separate
computers that are not duplicates of each other. I own two separate
licenses. Those disks are both Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade
with SP2.

I plan to purchase the Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 OEM and
install it on the duplicate computer. This will be my third license.

Will the product key update tool let me use that third license since the
two versions are a little different? Actually, I see I can just buy
another copy of my original disks and then the product key update tool
should work?

 

[peter]

You have 2 upgrade disk
you used #1 upgrade CD to install onto comp#1 and used that product key to
activate
Then you cloned that HD and installed into comp #2
now you need to use upgrade disc #2 Product key to Activate comp #2

There is no need to buy XP sp3 since can download
SP3 for free from the XP Download site.
Burn the file to a CD using the .iso format and then use
that CD to install SP3 onto each machine

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&displaylang=en

got it??

peter

 

[JD]

Maybe I'm thick but, you have 2 computers and 2 licences, why do you
need any more? Just upgrade both with/to SP3

Three computers. Two licenses. Need another license. Don't worry about it.

 

[JD]

You have 2 upgrade disk
you used #1 upgrade CD to install onto comp#1 and used that product key
to activate
Then you cloned that HD and installed into comp #2
now you need to use upgrade disc #2 Product key to Activate comp #2

There is no need to buy XP sp3 since can download
SP3 for free from the XP Download site.
Burn the file to a CD using the .iso format and then use
that CD to install SP3 onto each machine

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ce-b5fb-4488-8c50-fe22559d164e&displaylang=en


got it??

peter

I already had it. Three computers. Two upgrade disks. Need a third one.

 

[JD]

LOOK LOOK LOOKLOOK LOOK LOOK

I only read computers #1& #2, where's the third?

Scroll up this reply and you can see my reply to Shenan Stanley.

I'll add LOOK for you.

No big deal, you're not thick and I did say three computers, perhaps in
a confusing manner.

Have you ever used the product key update tool Shenan Stanley talks about?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snipped>
Entire conversation:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics/browse_frm/thread/d85d31001d03af29/

Scroll up this reply and you can see my reply to Shenan Stanley.

No big deal, you're not thick and I did say three computers,
perhaps in a confusing manner.

Have you ever used the product key update tool Shenan Stanley talks
about?

I believe the point is that you started this whole conversation with:
"For ease of discussion, the original computer is #1 and the second computer
is #2."
There was no #3 originally. ;-)

I have used it many times, suggested it many more.

You do need to use the proper key with the proper type of license. In other
words...

Windows XP Home OEM product key with Windows XP Home OEM.
Windows XP Professional Retail product key with Windows XP Professional
Retail.
Windows XP Professional Volume License product key with Windows XP
Professional Volume License.
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OEM product key with Windows XP Media
Center Edition 2005 OEM.

Etc...

In other words, the type (OEM, Retail, VL, etc) and the edition (Home,
Professional, Media Center, Tablet PC, etc) must match the key type you are
trying to utilize.

Of course - that again assumes your end-goal is to have three legitimate
licenses/product keys and not have to re-install everything because you
cloned (in whatever manner) one computer to another. Looking at your later
question:

"I currently have two XP Upgrade disks"
(Home? Professional?)
"I plan to purchase the Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 OEM and
install it on the duplicate computer. This will be my third license."

You cannot use the tool since the type differs. What you can do is a repair
installation on the new computer with the cloned drives and use the product
key that comes with the OEM product to activate it. Using the link you
originally gave or the official Microsoft one.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

Nothing should be lost - I would say 'make a backup' - but since these are
clones of others - that part is pretty much a done deal, eh? ;-)

 

[dude]

JD ... If I read your post correctly , then this might be of some help ,
view the link below

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/ht/changexpkey.htm

 

[JD]

<snipped>
Entire conversation:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics/browse_frm/thread/d85d31001d03af29/




I believe the point is that you started this whole conversation with:
"For ease of discussion, the original computer is #1 and the second computer
is #2."
There was no #3 originally. ;-)

I have used it many times, suggested it many more.

You do need to use the proper key with the proper type of license. In other
words...

Windows XP Home OEM product key with Windows XP Home OEM.
Windows XP Professional Retail product key with Windows XP Professional
Retail.
Windows XP Professional Volume License product key with Windows XP
Professional Volume License.
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OEM product key with Windows XP Media
Center Edition 2005 OEM.

Etc...

In other words, the type (OEM, Retail, VL, etc) and the edition (Home,
Professional, Media Center, Tablet PC, etc) must match the key type you are
trying to utilize.

Of course - that again assumes your end-goal is to have three legitimate
licenses/product keys and not have to re-install everything because you
cloned (in whatever manner) one computer to another. Looking at your later
question:

"I currently have two XP Upgrade disks"
(Home? Professional?)
"I plan to purchase the Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 OEM and
install it on the duplicate computer. This will be my third license."

You cannot use the tool since the type differs. What you can do is a repair
installation on the new computer with the cloned drives and use the product
key that comes with the OEM product to activate it. Using the link you
originally gave or the official Microsoft one.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

Nothing should be lost - I would say 'make a backup' - but since these are
clones of others - that part is pretty much a done deal, eh? ;-)

Excellent, I'm good to go then.

To clarify, I own three computers. Two are duplicate computers, more or
less since parts changed so fast like the mobo but they are similar. The
other is not anything like the two duplicates but that doesn't matter.

My current XP disks are Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade with
SP2 so I bought a third copy of that. The tool should work!

I used Acronis to clone the drive and it worked but I don't have the new
disk yet. Once I get the disk I'll clone the drive again and go from there.

Thanks for your help. I'll post back after I'm done but it may be a while.

 

[JD]

Yo dude. A way to do it manually. Cool! Thanks!

JD ... If I read your post correctly , then this might be of some help ,
view the link below

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/ht/changexpkey.htm

 

[dude]

your welcome

Yo dude. A way to do it manually. Cool! Thanks!

 

[Jaibaba Bholanath]

Uncle, If you have too many computers and you are sort of wondering
what to do with so many computers then please give one to my brother,
he also wants to play games while I am playing, so then if you give
him he will not disturb me anymore. Thanks a lot Uncle and God bless
you.

 

[Tom Willett]

Hooplehead alert.

Uncle, If you have too many computers and you are sort of wondering
what to do with so many computers then please give one to my brother,
he also wants to play games while I am playing, so then if you give
him he will not disturb me anymore. Thanks a lot Uncle and God bless
you.

 

[JD]

When I built my current computer, the one I'm using to post this
message, I bought duplicate parts and built a second computer. For ease
of discussion, the original computer is #1 and the second computer is #2.

I have cloned the two hard drives from #1 and put them into #2. It works
but there are some hardware differences between #1 and #2 so #2 wants to
be authenticated, etc but I don't want to do that. I want to be able to
use both computers.

If I buy Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 OEM can I use that disk
to basically install that version onto hard drive #2 without losing
everything on HD #2?

According to the following web page, what I want to do is possible:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Is the information on the above web page correct?

I finally got around to cloning the two hard drives in this computer and
installing them into the similar computer that I built a few months ago.
I edited the registry to force a new registration and was able to change
the product code to my third copy of Windows XP Upgrade and everything
is working.

Acronis True Image Home 2009 doesn't work on the new machine so I
removed as much of it as I could and will deal with that later. This is
a backup computer so I'm not too concerned about backing it up.

I haven't had time to test everything on the new computer but so far
everything I've done has been successful.

Thanks to everyone for steering me to the Product Code change idea.