What XP home version is this license label for?

[Gammel Gris]

I've been given a used laptop that needs a complete reinstall of Windows
to get working, probably due to a virus attack. It does have a valid
"Certificate Of Authenticity" (COA) label (with the product key), but
unfortunately I received it with no installation or recovery CD. I may be
able to borrow an installation CD from a friend with XP home, provided
it's the same version (or compatible with the license key).

I'm not sure if the COA label is for a Spanish, English or other
version of Windows XP home, or whether it's OEM or retail.

The first thee lines on the label show:
Windows(R) XP Home Edition
I.S.
(bar code) N09-00319

For reasons you probably understand, I won't post the product key here.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I've been given a used laptop that needs a complete reinstall of Windows
to get working, probably due to a virus attack. It does have a valid
"Certificate Of Authenticity" (COA) label (with the product key), but
unfortunately I received it with no installation or recovery CD. I may be
able to borrow an installation CD from a friend with XP home, provided
it's the same version (or compatible with the license key).

I'm not sure if the COA label is for a Spanish, English or other
version of Windows XP home, or whether it's OEM or retail.

The first thee lines on the label show:
Windows(R) XP Home Edition
I.S.
(bar code) N09-00319

For reasons you probably understand, I won't post the product key here.

Well, there's no way to tell language from that information. Have you
tried booting the laptop to see what language is installed? As for
license type, the presence of a CoA label affixed to the laptop can mean
nothing other than an OEM license.

You should be able to use a generic, unbranded OEM WinXP Home CD in
conjunction with that Product Key.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Gammel Gris]

Well, there's no way to tell language from that information. Have you
tried booting the laptop to see what language is installed?

I don't think the boot process actually got that far. Anyway it's too
late now, as I installed Windows 98 just to check that it wasn't a
hardware failure.

As for license type, the presence of a CoA label affixed to the laptop can
mean nothing other than an OEM license.

Even if "OEM" isn't written anywere on the label? (I think the
computers with 2000 or XP Professional at work have written "OEM" on the
labels.)

You should be able to use a generic, unbranded OEM WinXP Home CD in
conjunction with that Product Key.

Regardless of language?

Any idea what the line "I.S." means?

Thanks for replying!

 

[Gammel Gris]

[...]
You should be able to use a generic, unbranded OEM WinXP Home CD in
conjunction with that Product Key.

One more thing: Would a OEM XP Home SP2 CD work, or will the license keys
for the pre-SP releases only work with pre-SP CDs?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Gammel Gris wrote:

I don't think the boot process actually got that far. Anyway it's
too late now, as I installed Windows 98 just to check that it
wasn't a hardware failure.

<snip>

Just because Windows 98 installed does not mean you do not have hardware
failure.

Windows 98 is smaller, takes up less resources and is not as "sensitive" to
hardware issues as Windows XP.

 

[Gammel Gris]

Just because Windows 98 installed does not mean you do not have hardware
failure.

Windows 98 is smaller, takes up less resources and is not as "sensitive" to
hardware issues as Windows XP.

I won't completely rule out a hardware problem, but I find it more likely
that Windows was corrupted. First, the previous user was no computer
geek, and I have reason to believe he could be sloppy about opening
suspicious emails or attachments. Second, I did a full disk scan after
the Windows 98 install, so I think the hard drive is OK. I also did a
memory test (memtest86) that didn't reveal any problems, and I've
checked that the CPU fan is running.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I don't think the boot process actually got that far. Anyway it's too
late now, as I installed Windows 98 just to check that it wasn't a
hardware failure.

I'm afraid that such a test is essentially meaningless. A computer
component's working with Win9x/Me is absolutely _no_ indication that it
will work with WinXP. Computer components designed for use with
Win9x/Me very often fail to meet WinXP's much more stringent hardware
quality requirements. In particular, WinXP is quite sensitive to
borderline defective motherboards, RAM, and hard drives that may have
seemed to have worked fine with Win9x/Me.

Even if "OEM" isn't written anywere on the label? (I think the
computers with 2000 or XP Professional at work have written "OEM" on the
labels.)

CoA labels are affixed to computers by *ONLY* the computer
manufacturer, and only to certify the presence of an OEM license.
Retail licenses do not come with CoA labels; their Product Keys are on
brightly colored labeling attached to the CD's packaging, while the CoA
is affixed to the outside of the retail box. No Win98, Win2K, or WinXP
Product Key has ever included the term "OEM," although some computer
manufacturers might print "OEM" on their labels.

Regardless of language?

No, not regardless of language. Product Keys are bound to the specific
type and language of CD and/or 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 types cannot
be mixed & matched.

Any idea what the line "I.S." means?

Sorry, no.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Bruce Chambers]

[...]
You should be able to use a generic, unbranded OEM WinXP Home CD in
conjunction with that Product Key.

One more thing: Would a OEM XP Home SP2 CD work, or will the license keys
for the pre-SP releases only work with pre-SP CDs?

The Service Pack level of the CD, if all else is correct, should make
no difference. If it did, no one would be able to use home-made
slipstreamed installation CDs.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I won't completely rule out a hardware problem, but I find it more likely
that Windows was corrupted. First, the previous user was no computer
geek, and I have reason to believe he could be sloppy about opening
suspicious emails or attachments.

Even if the previous owner had been an expert, with second-hand
computers, especially if acquired from strangers but perhaps even if
acquired from a family member or friend, your wisest course of action
would probably be to format the hard drives and start fresh. You don't
want to get in trouble because the original owner may have filled the
hard drive with kiddie porn, or have problems because the original owner
downloaded/installed viruses or other malware.

Second, I did a full disk scan after
the Windows 98 install, so I think the hard drive is OK. I also did a
memory test (memtest86) that didn't reveal any problems, and I've
checked that the CPU fan is running.

Win98's ScanDisk wouldn't necessarily mean much as to
WinXP-suitability, but it does rule out any severe problems. Also, a
clean report from Memtest86 is a good sign.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Michael Stevens]

I've been given a used laptop that needs a complete reinstall of Windows
to get working, probably due to a virus attack. It does have a valid
"Certificate Of Authenticity" (COA) label (with the product key), but
unfortunately I received it with no installation or recovery CD. I may be
able to borrow an installation CD from a friend with XP home, provided
it's the same version (or compatible with the license key).

I'm not sure if the COA label is for a Spanish, English or other
version of Windows XP home, or whether it's OEM or retail.

The first thee lines on the label show:
Windows(R) XP Home Edition
I.S.
(bar code) N09-00319

For reasons you probably understand, I won't post the product key here.

How can I tell if my copy of XP is real?
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#40

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP Shell