EULA Question

[Technically Challenged]

I have four completely legal copies of Windows XP Home, 2 full and 2
upgrades. One of the full versions came installed on my laptop computer along
with an OS disk.

My problem is that my laptop is in dire need of a clean OS re-install,
however the OS disk is missing. The other full version is on my desktop
computer, so I know I can't install that on my laptop.

The 2 upgrade versions are not installed on any computer. The computers they
were on are long since dead and gone off to the recycling center. I can't see
why I can't use one of those disks to re-install the OS on my laptop.

Does anyone know otherwise? I'd like to know before I attempt it.

Thank You

 

[JS]

You should not have a problem using the other Full version CD as long as:
1) The other 'Full' version CD is at the same Service Pack level.
2) If condition 1 above is meet then you can reuse the key code from the
missing CD.

If you no longer have the key code use one of the following to retrieve it
from your laptop.
Here are some utilities which will display your product key:
First try Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.

Also available are:
and: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
and: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
and RockXP: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4138.html which has additional
features

Also make certain you have all the drivers (Video, Network Card, Audio, Etc)
for your laptop before you start.

JS

 

[JS]

Forgot to mention that even though your laptop came with a full version CD,
the factory may have installed Windows using their own key code which will
not work with your CD (even if you found the disk).

Also check the bottom of the laptop for a key code sticker, if you find a
sticker, this is an indication that the key code you retrieved using one of
the utilities I mentioned is the manufacture's key code and therefore that
retrieved key code will not work with any of your CD's. The code on the
laptop sticker was meant to be used with the missing CD most likely.

JS

 

[Plato]

My problem is that my laptop is in dire need of a clean OS re-install,

Laptops like to see the CD that came with the laptop, as it has all the
drivers you need. If you use a real, standard, XP disk, then you will
have to find the drivers for it.

 

[Technically Challenged]

The laptop came with 2 disks, the Windows XP OS and a drivers and apps disk.
I still have the drivers and apps disk.