Can I use my OEM license to install a clean version of XP Pro?

[witchseason]

Hi

I have a new laptop which comes with 'system restore' CDs but not a
Windows Setup CD. If I use these restore disks, there is no way to
prevent them from installing huge amounts of rubbish that I don't want
along with XP Pro. I don't want all the other software, I just want to
do a clean XP install.

I have access to a (genuine) XP Pro installation disk and tried to
install from scratch using that, and when it asked for my product key
I entered the (legitimate) product key written on the label under my
machine - but it was rejected.

Am I not entitled to install XP in this way? Don't I have a license
for it (albeit an OEM one)? I'm not trying to install it on any
machine other than the one I have a license for...

TVMIA

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have a new laptop which comes with 'system restore' CDs but not a
Windows Setup CD. If I use these restore disks, there is no way to
prevent them from installing huge amounts of rubbish that I don't want
along with XP Pro. I don't want all the other software, I just want to
do a clean XP install.

I have access to a (genuine) XP Pro installation disk and tried to
install from scratch using that, and when it asked for my product key
I entered the (legitimate) product key written on the label under my
machine - but it was rejected.

Am I not entitled to install XP in this way? Don't I have a license
for it (albeit an OEM one)? I'm not trying to install it on any
machine other than the one I have a license for...

If your XP Professional CD is a retail one, an OEM Product key will not work
with it. CDs and Product Keys have to match with respect to OEM vs. Retail,
Full vs. Upgrade, and Home vs. Professional.

 

[Daave]

Hi

I have a new laptop which comes with 'system restore' CDs but not a
Windows Setup CD. If I use these restore disks, there is no way to
prevent them from installing huge amounts of rubbish that I don't want
along with XP Pro. I don't want all the other software, I just want to
do a clean XP install.

I have access to a (genuine) XP Pro installation disk and tried to
install from scratch using that, and when it asked for my product key
I entered the (legitimate) product key written on the label under my
machine - but it was rejected.

Am I not entitled to install XP in this way?

You are legally entitled to install XP Pro provided it is not tied to
another computer (and even if that particular OS was removed from the
other PC, you are still not entitled to use it if it is an OEM version).
But you will need to use the product key associated with it, not the one
on your computer!

But you said that you merely "have access to" it, which implies it *is*
tied to another computer. Assuming this is someone else's disk and that
that license is already being used on another computer, then you may not
legally be allowed to do what you are asking.

Don't I have a license for it (albeit an OEM one)?

You will need to tell us. Do you have a license for it? We know you have
a license for the OS on your new laptop. Unfortunately, that license is
only for the particular OS installed on that machine; that is, you are
not legally entitled to install another OS (unless you also have a
license for that one, too).

As I am reading your post, you don't have a license for the XP Pro you
would like to use, but you need to tell us!

I'm not trying to install it on any machine other than the one I have a
license for...

That doesn't matter. That is why an OEM version is less expensive than a
retail version.

I believe you have three choices:

1. Assuming you don't have a license for XP Pro, purchase one. This
would be pricy. And I would advise against it because your version of XP
(the one you have the license for) is probably all you need.

2. Uninstall all the crap you don't want. Use Control Panel, Add/Remove
Programs. This is the most logical option. And once you do this, make an
image of your hard drive (after all your updates) so that you may easily
return your laptop to its "original" state whenever you deem necessary.

3. Although I've never done this, I believe it's possible to create your
own installation disk (using your recovery CD and a tool such as XP Iso
Builder). I have no idea if your license entitles you to do this or not.
Frankly I don't see why it would be a problem legally... unless you
eventually decide to use this same disk for *another* computer. Anywho,
you may want to look at "Upgrade a Windows XP Recovery CD to a full
installation one" at:
http://www.ghacks.net/2006/11/07/upgrade-a-windows-xp-recovery-cd-to-a-full-installation-one/

Bottom line: if you don't have a license for this other XP (Pro) disk,
then you shouldn't be using it.

 

[Rock]

Hi

I have a new laptop which comes with 'system restore' CDs but not a
Windows Setup CD. If I use these restore disks, there is no way to
prevent them from installing huge amounts of rubbish that I don't want
along with XP Pro. I don't want all the other software, I just want to
do a clean XP install.

I have access to a (genuine) XP Pro installation disk and tried to
install from scratch using that, and when it asked for my product key
I entered the (legitimate) product key written on the label under my
machine - but it was rejected.

Am I not entitled to install XP in this way? Don't I have a license
for it (albeit an OEM one)? I'm not trying to install it on any
machine other than the one I have a license for...

You purchased a license to use that branded OEM version of XP. If you use a
generic OEM installation CD of the same type as is installed on the laptop,
that is Home, Pro or MCE, then the product key on the sticker should work.
That product key will not work with a retail XP CD.

By the way, you don't need to crosspost this to so many groups. Just pick
one.

 

[LVTravel]

What you basically have is two different versions of an OEM
program. The XP install that is on the restore CD is one
OEM version and that is tied to the key on the bottom of the
system. The OEM XP CD you have is a different OEM version
and the key from the bottom of the system won't work for it.

I don't know if this will work (probably not) but you could
try it. Install using the Windows installation CD and key
that was supplied with that CD. Once installed (if it will
install, don't activate.) Run Magical Jellybean key finder
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml and then
attempt to change the key to the one on the bottom of the
system. If the key gets changed, activate then. If it
works you will have a legally licensed system set up the way
you want without all the garbage.

Let us know if it will work for future reference. All you
would lose is time.

 

[SchoolTech]

Hi

I have a new laptop which comes with 'system restore' CDs but not a
Windows Setup CD. If I use these restore disks, there is no way to
prevent them from installing huge amounts of rubbish that I don't want
along with XP Pro. I don't want all the other software, I just want to
do a clean XP install.

I have access to a (genuine) XP Pro installation disk and tried to
install from scratch using that, and when it asked for my product key
I entered the (legitimate) product key written on the label under my
machine - but it was rejected.

Am I not entitled to install XP in this way? Don't I have a license
for it (albeit an OEM one)? I'm not trying to install it on any
machine other than the one I have a license for...

TVMIA

License keys for system recovery CDs are usually locked to that type of CD.