OEM XP Home Generic on a Packard Bell?

[C]

I have a friend who has a Packard Bell. He has no XP CD and he got some
guy to install a pirated version of XP. There is a Product Key sticker
on the side of the case (it's a desktop, Pent 4). Will that product key
work with a generic OEM Home CD?

Thanks,

C

 

[C]

I used a downloaded (? pirated) XP OEM on an old test machine.

Once I saw it working fine I bought an OEM and used the
new key and entered it with one of change key programs
and had it activated on line with with Microsoft instantly

It is important that that you use Oem Home xp


ES

Not the answer to my question. There are other reasons a reinstall needs
to be done. The question is can I use my generic OEM XP Home CD with the
product key that's on the the sticker located on the side of the tower?

C

 

[Doum]

Not the answer to my question. There are other reasons a reinstall needs
to be done. The question is can I use my generic OEM XP Home CD with the
product key that's on the the sticker located on the side of the tower?

C

That should work, I did it with my Acer laptop (XP pro). I used a generic
XP pro OEM CD slipstreamed to SP3 with AHCI drivers and it worked with the
COA sticker key.

 

[C]

That should work, I did it with my Acer laptop (XP pro). I used a generic
XP pro OEM CD slipstreamed to SP3 with AHCI drivers and it worked with the
COA sticker key.

Thank you. Just what I was hoping for.

C

 

[Daave]

I have a friend who has a Packard Bell. He has no XP CD and he got
some guy to install a pirated version of XP. There is a Product Key
sticker on the side of the case (it's a desktop, Pent 4). Will that
product key work with a generic OEM Home CD?

Yes.

Plan on performing a Clean Install (since pirated versions may contain
malware).

FWIW, the manufacturer did provide a means to return the PC to its
original condition. Did you consider using that method (assuming there
is no CD involved)? That is, assuming there is still a hidden recovery
partition on the hard drive, would you consider using it?

Of course, the advantage to what you are considering is a *totally*
clean install -- without any obnoxious trialware/crapware. If I had a
generic OEM CD of XP Home (his COA sticker indicates Home and not Pro,
correct?), I would probably use that method, too. If you do, offer your
friend a copy of the CD so he can perform a Repair or Clean Install in
the future. No problem with legality; as you know, the license (which
your friend has) is what's important.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a friend who has a Packard Bell. He has no XP CD and he got some
guy to install a pirated version of XP. There is a Product Key sticker
on the side of the case (it's a desktop, Pent 4). Will that product key
work with a generic OEM Home CD?

Thanks,

C

Yes, provided that the Product Key is also for WinXP Home.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of CD/license
(OEM, Volume, retail, or full) 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 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 CD/license types cannot usually (it's been reported that the Product
Key for a full license will work with an Upgrade CD) be mixed & matched.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Have your friend shoot an email to (e-mail address removed) and ask them how
best to resolve his conundrum. They'll be more than happy to assist him.

 

[Daave]

How would that solve his conundrum? All he wants to do is be legit
(following an unfortunate action by someone else). He clearly has a
license to run XP Home on his PC (per the COA sticker), Why not have a
friend like "C" help him out by performing a Clean Install, using a
generic OEM XP Home CD and valid Product Key (from his COA sticker)?

 

[C]

How would that solve his conundrum? All he wants to do is be legit
(following an unfortunate action by someone else). He clearly has a
license to run XP Home on his PC (per the COA sticker), Why not have a
friend like "C" help him out by performing a Clean Install, using a
generic OEM XP Home CD and valid Product Key (from his COA sticker)?

That's what's gonna happen unless there's still a recovery partition. I
haven't physically seen the machine yet. He's bringing it over tomorrow.
I would never recommend he contact MS to buy another license.

C

 

[Daave]

That's what's gonna happen unless there's still a recovery partition.
I haven't physically seen the machine yet. He's bringing it over
tomorrow. I would never recommend he contact MS to buy another
license.
C

I don't blame you; especially since he already has a license!