OS Product Key; Extent of Compatibility

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

Guest

Hi there.

I'm in the process of formatting and reinstalling Windows on an HP laptop.
It was delivered new without a Windows install CD and also without a
recovery/HD-image disk, so I have not yet been able to do this.

There's an official MS label and product key on the underside of the
computer, and I have friend who could lend me an install CD, but I was unsure
of:
- the likely compatibility; the key refers to - and laptop runs - XP Home
(later updated to SP2), but what if the CD borrowed is an integrated XP Home
+ SP2? Would my key be valid?
- the legalities of this; do you know if I'd I be infringing on any
anti-piracy restrictions by using an install CD not my own?

I'd be really grateful for any assistance on the topic - thanks in advance.
 
The Product Key affixed to the HP PC is only valid
when used with the HP Recovery method.

HP Pavilions that ship with Microsoft Windows XP do
not come with Recovery CDs. Instead, they use a hidden
space (partition) on the hard drive to store the recovery
information.

Read the following article thoroughly, then follow
the steps outlined to perform a "non-destructive"
recovery operation.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...docname=bph07145&product=71013&dlc=en&lang=en

If a "non-destructive" recovery will not work, then you'll have
to resort to a "destructive recovery" which will reformat the
drive, thus wiping it clean of all files before Windows XP is
reinstalled.

Obtaining HP Recovery CDs
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...3&lang=en&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bph07143
 
Carey Frisch said:
The Product Key affixed to the HP PC is only valid
when used with the HP Recovery method.
Click to expand...
Not true, that key can be used to do an install from a standard Microsoft Windows XP Home OEM CD.
 
Call HP. They must, by contract with Microsoft, give you a way to restore
your computer to the way it was when delivered to you.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
David said:
Not true, that key can be used to do an install from a standard Microsoft Windows XP Home OEM CD.
Click to expand...

Ayup. I have _never_ encountered a "vendor specific" OEM key that did
not work using a re-install from a truly generic OEM CD. Only _once_
have I had to even resort to the "dreaded" phone activation, and _that_
was using a vendor specific CD _and_ key! ;)

Carey is infamous for spouting off buulcrap that he's never tested nor
investigated for himself as though it was the Gospel. I suggest he be
ignored entirely, despite his ill-deserved "MVP" status. The only
replies he ever hits on the money are by pure chance IMO, since he is so
prolific in replying with his near-automated copy-paste based on keyword
search tactics, (he obviously has no life, nothing better to do, I
suppose) some are bound to hit the mark... sheer odds... but not many
though, from what I and others have observed over the past few years
here. You make your own judgements though.

Steve N.
 
An OEM Product Key, issued to a major OEM computer
manufactuer, is only valid with the OEM manufactuer's
recommended recovery procedure. Anyone suggesting
otherwise is suggesting software piracy and should be
ignored.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
 
Carey said:
An OEM Product Key, issued to a major OEM computer
manufactuer, is only valid with the OEM manufactuer's
recommended recovery procedure. Anyone suggesting
otherwise is suggesting software piracy and should be
ignored.
Click to expand...

You're full of horsesh!t! Again. And again and again!, id10t! There's no
piracy involved. Get your facts straight, you fscking moron!

YOU are the only thing around here that should be ignored. You spew out
mis-information and hide behind your MVP title, which you DO NOT
deserve! You refuse to admit when you're wrong (which entirely too
often), you have no respect for your peers, not even fellow MVPs when
they try to correct you. You're a waste of bandwidth and time. You
disgust me. You're a hopeless, M$ @$$-kissing f$ckwit. Not an insult
Carey, a FACT!

Steve N.
 
The OEM license is the COA, the original installation media, and the
documentation.
Whoever is suggesting otherwise is telling people they should engage in
illegal pirating behavior.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Certified System Builder


"Steve N." ignorantely:
 
Carey said:
The OEM license is the COA, the original installation media, and the
documentation.
Whoever is suggesting otherwise is telling people they should engage in
illegal pirating behavior.
Click to expand...

Yeah Carey, keep repeating it like the scratched record you are.

The OEM license is a document called the EULA. That's it. Period. And it
is subject to interpretation, contestation and (if ever) legal ruling by
a court of law. Just because an EULA claims to be legally binding
doesn't make it so anymore than your ill-informed advice is. Quit
pretending to be legal counsel. Your brain isn't up to the task.

The EULA is not a law. It is a very loose "contract" (I use the ""'s
because a real contract is a _signed_ documentment, yet still subject to
interpretation, contestation and possible legal ruling by a court of
law). The EULA is NOT a signed document and no one can prove or disprove
that any one particular person or persons agreed to it without a
signature and verification of identity. Even a signed document contract
is not "law" in and of itself. Get that through your thick skull.

Furthermore, if the license is contigent upon the inculsion of possesion
of the "original installation media" as you claim it is, then HDD
recovery partitions, OEM CDs, System Recovery CDs and the like do not
qualify, since they were not used originally to install the OS at the
factory; therefore anyone who restores/re-installs their OS using such
methods in violating of the license agreement.

As usual, you are full of rhetorical bullsh!t. Get over yourself. Try to
learn something for a change, that is if you're indeed capable of such a
task.

Steve N.
 
Carey said:
The OEM license is the COA, the original installation media, and the
documentation.
Whoever is suggesting otherwise is telling people they should engage
in illegal pirating behavior.
Click to expand...

The license is in the Product Key, not the install media used, Carey.
As usual, you have your head up your ass.

http://carey.microscum.com

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
 
Direct quote:

My Microsoft software came with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Is that my End-User License Agreement (EULA)?

No. The Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is not a license to use the
Microsoft software. The COA is a security device that accompanies legally
licensed Microsoft software. The COA assists you to determine whether the
Microsoft software and components, such as media and manuals, are genuine. If
your Microsoft operating system software (such as Windows XP Professional or
Windows XP Home Edition) was supplied to you preinstalled on a new computer
system by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), look for the Certificate
of Authenticity on the exterior of the chassis. Your Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) is required to affix the Certificate of Authenticity in
this manner. For other Microsoft software, your COA is included with the
software components and you should keep them in a safe place. The COA
contains anti-counterfeiting devices, such as the holographic strip, to help
prevent the production of counterfeit Microsoft software. If you suspect you
might have pirated software, or you have concerns about the legal
ramifications of using such software, click Related Topics to get information
about software piracy."

Ref: Windows XP Help and Support Center article.


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User


kurttrail said:
The license is in the Product Key, not the install media used, Carey.
As usual, I have my head up my ass.
Click to expand...
 
Perhaps you should consider joining the Microsoft System Builder
program, which is free. Doing so will afford you the opportunity to
learn all about OEM licensing requirements, policies, and rules.

Joining the program will also enable access to a variety of
System Builder newsgroups where actual Microsoft employees,
knowledgable of OEM licensing and policies, often answer questions.
The specific newsgroup is "Discussions in System Builder Licensing".
The Microsoft moderator is known as
"The Microsoft OEM System Builder Licensing Team".

Microsoft OEM System Builder
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx
 
Carey said:
Perhaps you should consider joining the Microsoft System Builder
program, which is free. Doing so will afford you the opportunity to
learn all about OEM licensing requirements, policies, and rules.

Joining the program will also enable access to a variety of
System Builder newsgroups where actual Microsoft employees,
knowledgable of OEM licensing and policies, often answer questions.
The specific newsgroup is "Discussions in System Builder Licensing".
The Microsoft moderator is known as
"The Microsoft OEM System Builder Licensing Team".

Microsoft OEM System Builder
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx
Click to expand...

I'll check it out.

Thanks,
Steve
 
My Microsoft product came with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Is that my End User License Agreement (EULA)
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/lic_is_coa_eula.mspx

Can you tell us more about COA labels and the role they play?
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2004/nov04/11-30coa.mspx

HP and CPQ Desktop PCs - Microsoft Windows XP Product Activation Informatio
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&docname=bph06642&lc=en

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Recovering the System after the Hard Drive Is
Replace
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&docname=bph07119&lc=en
 
One cannot legally use an OEM PC manufacturer's issued Product Key
with a generic OEM version of Windows XP. If you did, it will not
activate after installation, thus requiring an attempt to activate by phone.
This may or may not succeed. In any case, it would violate the EULA
issued with the HP computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/
 
Steve said:
I'll check it out.

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

OK, I signed up (too many damn hoops to jump through but I did it
anyway). I go there now and nothing happens. BFD. Maybe the site's
overloaded or down, either way, what a big waste of my time.

Steve N.
 
The site is probably down for maintenance. I could access
the newsgroups earlier, but not this evening. Try again
tomorrow or Monday.

Enjoy your weekend!

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User


:
 
Steve said:
OK, I signed up (too many damn hoops to jump through but I did it
anyway). I go there now and nothing happens. BFD. Maybe the site's
overloaded or down, either way, what a big waste of my time.
Click to expand...

Many years ago I also tried it as we were building 3 new systems/day
during the big rush to have a Pentium PC over a 486. Nothing ever became
of it. Perhaps we were too small.
 
Back
Top