If I use my product key can I use any XP disc to do a clean instal

[leebob]

I purchased an Acer laptop a while back and I didn't get a copy of XP Home on
disc. I have a recovery disc, but I don't want to install all the programs
that came with it (yes I know the drivers are on there also). So, I was
wondering - if I got an XP Home disc from a friend could I do a clean install
and use my product key?

 

[Rich]

I purchased an Acer laptop a while back and I didn't get a copy of XP Home
on
disc. I have a recovery disc, but I don't want to install all the
programs
that came with it (yes I know the drivers are on there also). So, I was
wondering - if I got an XP Home disc from a friend could I do a clean
install
and use my product key?

No you have an OEM version and the install from the borrowed disk would be a
full version or an update and wouldn't accept the OEM key.

Rich

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I purchased an Acer laptop a while back and I didn't get a copy of
XP Home on disc. I have a recovery disc, but I don't want to
install all the programs that came with it (yes I know the drivers
are on there also). So, I was wondering - if I got an XP Home disc
from a friend could I do a clean install and use my product key?

If it is a Generic OEM version of Windows XP Home Edition - it is POSSIBLE
you could use the other CD with your product key.

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I purchased an Acer laptop a while back and I didn't get a copy of XP Home on
disc. I have a recovery disc, but I don't want to install all the programs
that came with it (yes I know the drivers are on there also). So, I was
wondering - if I got an XP Home disc from a friend could I do a clean install
and use my product key?

Recovery CDs are always OEM and OEM keys do not work with other versions
(eg. Retail) anyway. Concerning the use of another OEM CD consult
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php --> "OEM versions"

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I purchased an Acer laptop a while back and I didn't get a copy of
XP Home on disc. I have a recovery disc, but I don't want to install
all the programs that came with it (yes I know the drivers are on
there also). So, I was wondering - if I got an XP Home disc from
a friend could I do a clean install and use my product key?

No you have an OEM version and the install from the borrowed disk
would be a full version or an update and wouldn't accept the OEM
key.

Rich,

How do you know the borrowed CD would be a 'full version or an update'?
Did I miss something in the original posting?