multiple versions of xp pro - finding correct reg #

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hi there.

I have 4 xp pro cds and several cds with the activation #. two of these are
currently used on a pc and 2 are from old cds. I want to do a clean install
of xp on a laptop that has media edition.

I'm concerned with making sure with reg number goes to which cd. Is there
anyone I can match up cd with sleeve so that I won't have a problem when
installing?
 
bayBook said:
Hi there.

I have 4 xp pro cds and several cds with the activation #. two of these
are
currently used on a pc and 2 are from old cds. I want to do a clean
install
of xp on a laptop that has media edition.

I'm concerned with making sure with reg number goes to which cd. Is there
anyone I can match up cd with sleeve so that I won't have a problem when
installing?
Click to expand...

Use the one from the manufacturer of the laptop.
 
bayBook said:
Hi there.

I have 4 xp pro cds and several cds with the activation #. two of these
are
currently used on a pc and 2 are from old cds. I want to do a clean
install
of xp on a laptop that has media edition.

I'm concerned with making sure with reg number goes to which cd. Is there
anyone I can match up cd with sleeve so that I won't have a problem when
installing?
Click to expand...

Product keys are not tied to the CD, in that you cannot match a specific
product key to a specific CD. Any product key will work with any
installation CD of that type. For example any retail product key for XP Pro
will work with any retail XP Pro CD. The product key and CD must match in
the following way:

Home v. Pro
Retail v. Generic OEM v. Branded OEM, v Volume License version
Language version

If you don't know what product keys are currently installed there are
utilities that will query a booted system and say what product key is used.

Branded OEM versions are quite often BIOS locked to the motherboard and will
only install on specific motherboards from that computer manufacturer.

Here are links to some of the utilities that will tell you what product keys
are installed:

ViewXP http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/ViewKeyXP.exe

AIDA32 http://www.aumha.org/freeware.htm

Belarc Advisor http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Magical Jellybean http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
 
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