Installing XP from a CD I don't own?

  • Thread starter Thread starter markus4412
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markus4412

Hi, I have a 'tiny' branded laptop, bought two years ago here in the
UK. It's one of those laptops with a hidden partition that contains a
backup image of the entire hard disk. Normally, i'd put in my
'recovery cd' and this image is restored to the hard disk, with a ready
to run install of Windows XP.

Unfortunately, S.M.A.R.T software tells me my laptop's hard disk will
fail soon'.

Tiny as a company don't exist any more.

Opening the EULA.TXT file in my windows directory, I looked at the last
line in the text file which says: XPSP1_RM.1_HOM_OEM_EN

I assume this means the copy of Windows XP that I have intsalled is
Windows XP Home OEM edition with Service Pack 1.

I also ran another program I found which extracts the 'cd key' from
windows.

If I can obtain an OEM copy of windows xp with sp1, firstly would I be
able to install windows XP using my extracted CD key, and secondly,
would this be legal?

Mark.
 
Hi, I have a 'tiny' branded laptop, bought two years ago here in the
UK. It's one of those laptops with a hidden partition that
contains a backup image of the entire hard disk. Normally, i'd put
in my 'recovery cd' and this image is restored to the hard disk,
with a ready to run install of Windows XP.

Unfortunately, S.M.A.R.T software tells me my laptop's hard disk
will fail soon'.

Tiny as a company don't exist any more.

Opening the EULA.TXT file in my windows directory, I looked at the
last line in the text file which says: XPSP1_RM.1_HOM_OEM_EN

I assume this means the copy of Windows XP that I have intsalled is
Windows XP Home OEM edition with Service Pack 1.

I also ran another program I found which extracts the 'cd key' from
windows.

If I can obtain an OEM copy of windows xp with sp1, firstly would I
be able to install windows XP using my extracted CD key, and
secondly, would this be legal?
Click to expand...

That might work.
My opinion - since you have the warning and time on your side..

Image the drive - replace the drive - apply the image - continue like it
never happened.

Symantec/Norton Ghost
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/

Acronis True Image
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage

BootItT NG
http://terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html

XXCLONE
http://www.xxclone.com/iwhatis.htm
 
Agree with Shenan. The more critical part here is the SMART warning. It is
imperitive that the drive be replaced immediately, they are seldom wrong.
Biggest problem you may run into with a generic OEM disk is it may be
missing needed drivers for the laptop.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Mark;
Follow what Shenan said.
But to add a little...
If you would use an OEM CD, you may have problems activating because of
changes Microsoft made to curb piracy.
Also, if it is still the original configuration and you have never entered
the Product Key, the key found by the program may not work.
You would need to use the Product Key affixed to the computer, probably
underneath.
 
What kinds of problems could happen though? Surely if I know the
version of my windows xp install, like i said xp home with service pack
1, oem edition, then If i install windows xp from an oem service pack 1
xp home cd and use the product key thats underneath the laptop, is
there any reason why it can't work? Are individual oem xp cds tied
directly to some kind of hardware code?
 
Will these allow me to image the entire drive; ie: even the special
'hidden partition' that contains the restoreable windows xp install
etc.?
 
Yes individual OEM CDs are unique in every which way you can think of.
you can't use DELL Cds on HP machines etc.

You should only use the CD or CDs that came with your system if you want
to get any support from your computer manufacturer.

hth
 
Shenan said:
That might work.
My opinion - since you have the warning and time on your side..

Image the drive - replace the drive - apply the image - continue
like it never happened.

Symantec/Norton Ghost
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/

Acronis True Image
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage

BootIt NG
http://terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html

XXCLONE
http://www.xxclone.com/iwhatis.htm
Click to expand...
Will these allow me to image the entire drive; ie: even the special
'hidden partition' that contains the restoreable windows xp install
etc.?
Click to expand...

I can speak from experience on the first two - yes.

I have never used BootIt NG that way - and I am unsure of XXCLONE at this
point - but it comes recommended by others here. I added it to my lists
recently - still playing with it.
 
Most OEM computers such as yours will install Windows XP without activation
provided you use the system provided by the manufacturer.
Some people started using the key applied to their computer with a generic
OEM CD to install on a second computer. Microsoft changed their policy in
activating those since activation is not required when using the procedures
provided by the manufacturer.
If you use the affixed key with a generic key you may or may not be able to
activate, I have heard it both ways.

You would need a generic OEM Windows XP Home CD, Service Pack does not
usually matter.
Also an OEM CD from your computer manufacturer may also work.

Best case, you can use and activate with a generic OEM CD.
Worst case, you will not be able to activate a generic CD and may have to
purchase/switch another OS.
Ebay may be an option for an OEM CD from the computer manufacturer.

The best option is to get the CD from the computer manufacturer.
The CD will be needed sooner or later.
 
Jupiter said:
Most OEM computers such as yours will install Windows XP without activation
provided you use the system provided by the manufacturer.
Some people started using the key applied to their computer with a generic
OEM CD to install on a second computer. Microsoft changed their policy in
activating those since activation is not required when using the procedures
provided by the manufacturer.
If you use the affixed key with a generic key you may or may not be able to
activate, I have heard it both ways.

You would need a generic OEM Windows XP Home CD, Service Pack does not
usually matter.
Also an OEM CD from your computer manufacturer may also work.

Best case, you can use and activate with a generic OEM CD.
Worst case, you will not be able to activate a generic CD and may have to
purchase/switch another OS.
Click to expand...

I've had my generic OEM Cd fail AUTOMATIC activation , but I have to
date a 100% success rate with telephone activation. As long as you can
answer the questions to the guy working the phones in India's
satisaction, you'll be alright.

If he asks, tell them you're using a generic disk on a tiny computer
..(the truth) Make sure you know the exact model, and make sure you have
the product key.
 
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