Installation repair possible?

[Wendie]

I have a laptop which recently had a serious hive
failure. I would like to get the documents off of it and
clean reinstall. I believe a second repair option, if it
works, will let me do that. However, the disks that came
with the laptop are recovery disks, I had to clean
reinstall one time before and they just try to reinstall
the operating system, don't give you any options. I
had to send it back to the manufacturer last time under
warranty because the disks didn't work. I tried to use
them anyway this time and the laptop won't even boot from
them. ANYWAY, I would like to use the full copy disk of
XP pro that I have for my PC to try to repair the laptop
XP pro. I have the product ID key on the bottom of the
laptop.

My question is this, can I use my desktop CD of XP pro
for a repair and use the product key for the laptop? I
have two licenses, so I can't see that is an issue, but
will the repair work? I don't want to get to the product
key part, have it fail then be stuck in the reinstall
loop. I know I can technically use XP for one laptop and
one PC but I don't want to use the product key for the
desktop in case I have to send the laptop back again as
it is still under warranty.

Ok, I hope that makes sense, not trying to pirate
anything, I have two full licenses, I just want to repair
the operating system! I tried all the other safe mode,
last know good config, etc but still blue screen of
death, hive is corrupt.

Anyone know for sure if this will work? Thanks for your
help
Wendie

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

My question is this, can I use my desktop CD of XP pro
for a repair and use the product key for the laptop? I
have two licenses, so I can't see that is an issue, but
will the repair work?

No, this will not work. Product Keys are bound to the specific
type and language of CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or
Upgrade) with which they are purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM
Product Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or for
any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key
cannot be used with a full version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product
Key will not work to install a retail product. An Italian Product Key
will not work with an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CDs
cannot be mixed & matched.

I know I can technically use XP for one laptop and
one PC but I don't want to use the product key for the
desktop in case I have to send the laptop back again as
it is still under warranty.

This is incorrect. As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft
operating systems, it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the
EULA, if not technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each
computer on which it is installed. The only way in which WinXP
licensing differs from that of earlier versions of Windows is that
Microsoft has finally added a copy protection and anti-theft
mechanism, Product Activation, to prevent (or at least make more
difficult) multiple installations using a single license. Some
Microsoft _application_ EULAs permit the licensed owner to install the
product upon one dektop and one portable computer simultaneously, but
this has never been true of the operating system licenses.

Your best option in this situation would be to borrow (or
purchase, if it comes down to that) a generic OEM installation CD, and
use it to perform the repair installation. And, in future computer
purchases, avoid manufacturers who only provide Recovery CDs.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Q. "My question is this, can I use my desktop CD of XP pro
for a repair and use the product key for the laptop?"

A. The Product Key that came with your laptop will not
work with a "retail version" of Windows XP. Since
your Recovery CDs apparently has limited repair options,
you should consider purchasing another Windows XP
Product Key so you can use the regular CD for repairs.

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp

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 a laptop which recently had a serious hive
| failure. I would like to get the documents off of it and
| clean reinstall. I believe a second repair option, if it
| works, will let me do that. However, the disks that came
| with the laptop are recovery disks, I had to clean
| reinstall one time before and they just try to reinstall
| the operating system, don't give you any options. I
| had to send it back to the manufacturer last time under
| warranty because the disks didn't work. I tried to use
| them anyway this time and the laptop won't even boot from
| them. ANYWAY, I would like to use the full copy disk of
| XP pro that I have for my PC to try to repair the laptop
| XP pro. I have the product ID key on the bottom of the
| laptop.
|
| My question is this, can I use my desktop CD of XP pro
| for a repair and use the product key for the laptop? I
| have two licenses, so I can't see that is an issue, but
| will the repair work? I don't want to get to the product
| key part, have it fail then be stuck in the reinstall
| loop. I know I can technically use XP for one laptop and
| one PC but I don't want to use the product key for the
| desktop in case I have to send the laptop back again as
| it is still under warranty.
|
| Ok, I hope that makes sense, not trying to pirate
| anything, I have two full licenses, I just want to repair
| the operating system! I tried all the other safe mode,
| last know good config, etc but still blue screen of
| death, hive is corrupt.
|
| Anyone know for sure if this will work? Thanks for your
| help
| Wendie

 

[Guest]

Ok, I understand how that would work. So, you are saying
that if I have an OEM version of Windows XPpro I could
use it with the laptop? I have an OEM XP pro for my
children's machine, you think that would be compatible
with the laptop? If it is, can I use the product key on
the laptop to repair it or do I need to use the one that
came with the OEM XPpro PC?

Thanks for your feedback, I didn't know all this.
regards
Wendie

 

[Len Segal]

Wendie,

This "might work". As for using the PK from your laptop, that part WILL be
compatible. The only problem with this scenario that might crop up is that
the mfr of the laptop and/or your child's machine MAY have created a
proprietary version of WinXP that isn't exactly like the MS distribution
(they do have license from MS to customize their versions) and thus may not
load appropriate drivers, may refuse to work altogether (locked to a
particular CPU/mobo type).

Better suggestion may be to contact the laptop mfr and ask them to ship you
a genuine OEM CD. They may charge you shipping & handling, but they
shouldn't charge you more than $10-20 for the CD. Tell them what you need to
do and why you need it.

If your only option right now is to try the child's CD, I might be inclined
to try it, BUT be forewarned about the possibility for problems.

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Len,
to be or not to be! Wow, I am afraid to try anything.
All I want to do is get the documents off this computer
and it can drown after that. Is there a boot disk that
can read an NTFS file? I only have boot disks for FAT32
that keep telling me there is no active partition. I saw
a microsoft article telling me how to rebuild a corrupt
registry so I don't know which to try first. Should I
try the second repair first and then the registry rebuild
or will one negate the other?
It's life but not as we know it!
thanks for your help
Wendie