Can I use any OEM copy of XP to reinstall onto my laptop using my own licensed key?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cuervo
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Cuervo

I'm thinking of buying a second-hand laptop and notice that some are
for sale with a COA but no media. This doesn't seem suspicious as
legit companies such as Dell will sell you a laptop without media.

I have two licensed OEM copies of Windows XP; Home and Pro, including
media.
One I bought myself and the other came with my laptop. I think they
are both full versions and not restore discs, although I need to
confirm that with the laptop Pro version.

If I need to reinstall Windows on the new laptop, can I just use one
of my current discs with the relevant key from the new laptop? I
thought there might be a problem as certain OEM copies are BIOS
locked. My copies are not BIOS locked. I'm assuming the laptop
version isn't, as after a recent installation I still had to verify it
online.

If I buy a laptop that is BIOS locked, will that preclude me from
doing the above? I sense that a copy of Windows is locked to a BIOS
but I'm not clear if a BIOS is locked to a particular copy of Windows.
I guess it is just locked to a key, which I have anyway.

Thanks

Cuervo
 
Legit companies such as dell provide some way to restore the computer
whether through CD or a hidden partition.
The BIOS locking prevents the original CD from working on an incorrect
computer type and will not affect another CD.

The CD that came with the laptop is probably BIOS locked and most likely
will not work.
The other may work.
But, Microsoft made recent changes regarding activations using OEM product
Keys such as you have.
You may not be able to activate.
Buyer Beware.
 
Thanks,

Does the fact that the OEM version of XP Pro that came with my laptop
still needed to be activated, point to whether it is BIOS locked or
not?

Cuervo
 
I would think it is not BIOS locked, but the manufacturer knows the facts.
 
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