Help with Win XP Pro Repair Re-Install (OEM over Retail!)

[BigB]

I have replaced motherboard, processor, and RAM while keeping hard drive
with Win XP Pro, which was an upgrade from Win98.

After moving the harddrive, I inserted Windows CD and selected Install,
Repair to do "In-place upgrade", as motherboard ide drivers etc will have
changed.

What I didn't realise was that I put in my second licenced copy of XP Pro
(OEM disk, bought with hardware) from my other PC, instead of the Retail
(upgrade) version for this one

Now I am stuck in Install asking for 25-digit Product Key. Of course, my
real Retail key is not accepted...

Should I:
1) just reuse my already-activated key for now, and change it later?
2) Reboot in middle of setup (with "33 minutes to go") and put in correct
disk.

I would prefer #2, but issue is I may kill my hard disk because setup has
not finished? I assume I already haven't killed it by repairing OEM version
over Retail.

Issue with #1 is that I have read that I will not be able to boot into
windows to chg the key since I only activated windows about 3 weeks ago. I
read that I must activate over phone, but problem is it will already be
activated by my other machine.

Will I kill my data/drive if I quit setup now and retry with correct disk?

Is it true I wont be able to log in to windows to chg the key back to the
proper one?

Maybe I can use the key for now, then reboot when installed and put in
proper CD??? (When will I be asked to activate Windows - surely not until
re-install/repair is finshed?)

Thanks in advance

Cheers,
BigB

Lesson learnt: Upgrade motherboards before installing XP... among many
others

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You need to start the repair install process all over, using
the correct Product Key and CD. OEM and Retail
Product Keys are not interchangeable.

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


|I have replaced motherboard, processor, and RAM while keeping hard drive
| with Win XP Pro, which was an upgrade from Win98.
|
| After moving the harddrive, I inserted Windows CD and selected Install,
| Repair to do "In-place upgrade", as motherboard ide drivers etc will have
| changed.
|
| What I didn't realise was that I put in my second licenced copy of XP Pro
| (OEM disk, bought with hardware) from my other PC, instead of the Retail
| (upgrade) version for this one
|
| Now I am stuck in Install asking for 25-digit Product Key. Of course, my
| real Retail key is not accepted...
|
| Should I:
| 1) just reuse my already-activated key for now, and change it later?
| 2) Reboot in middle of setup (with "33 minutes to go") and put in correct
| disk.
|
| I would prefer #2, but issue is I may kill my hard disk because setup has
| not finished? I assume I already haven't killed it by repairing OEM version
| over Retail.
|
| Issue with #1 is that I have read that I will not be able to boot into
| windows to chg the key since I only activated windows about 3 weeks ago. I
| read that I must activate over phone, but problem is it will already be
| activated by my other machine.
|
| Will I kill my data/drive if I quit setup now and retry with correct disk?
|
| Is it true I wont be able to log in to windows to chg the key back to the
| proper one?
|
| Maybe I can use the key for now, then reboot when installed and put in
| proper CD??? (When will I be asked to activate Windows - surely not until
| re-install/repair is finshed?)
|
| Thanks in advance
|
| Cheers,
| BigB
|
| Lesson learnt: Upgrade motherboards before installing XP... among many
| others
|
|

 

[BigB]

Ok, thanks Carey for quick reply.

Just want to confirm that this wont destroy my disk by rebooting in middle
of setup?

Regards,
BigB

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

No problem as long as you do not reformat the drive or
create a new installation.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Ok, thanks Carey for quick reply.
|
| Just want to confirm that this wont destroy my disk by rebooting in middle
| of setup?
|
| Regards,
| BigB