Product Key Windows XP Service Pack 2

[Guest]

Hello, my name is Janacksan(a little unusual) and i am 14 years old.
I own three computers all with microsoft Windows Xp.
as follows:

1)OEM - Dell Dimension 8400 - Quad - Boot --- Linux, Windows Vista and
Windows XP Home SP2 and Mac OS X Tiger

2)OEM - Manufacturer not known - Windows XP Home SP1

3)Home Built Pc with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OEM

I want to reformat the second computer and upgrade windows to SP2 after
reinstalling - i have the original cd and manual but the stickers has been
ripped leaving only the barcode.

So to reformat it i wanted to make sure i could reinstall windows so i ran
all the Product Key checkin programs (ViewXPkey, Belarc, Aida32 etc etc) but
with computer one ( SP2) the product key on the screen of the checkers
display a key begining with R while the sticker begins with M.

So i wanted to know that if i ran the same programs on Computer 2 would it
show the correct product key or a different key to the label that was ripped.

Sorry if ive confused you - ;-)


BTW - i prefer not to be treated like a person with no knowledge of
computers, i think i have a very good knowledge and that i am very good with
them - How ever i am very bad with system registrys(if its needed).

Soz im overexcited about installing Apple Mac OS X tiger on my pc - it works
very nicely and is quite fast on my Pentium 4 HT Extreme Edition thats been
overclocked!!!


Thank You very much in advance

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Hello, my name is Janacksan(a little unusual) and i am 14 years
old.
I own three computers all with microsoft Windows Xp.
as follows:

1)OEM - Dell Dimension 8400 - Quad - Boot --- Linux, Windows Vista
and Windows XP Home SP2 and Mac OS X Tiger

2)OEM - Manufacturer not known - Windows XP Home SP1

3)Home Built Pc with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OEM

I want to reformat the second computer and upgrade windows to SP2
after reinstalling - i have the original cd and manual but the
stickers has been ripped leaving only the barcode.

So to reformat it i wanted to make sure i could reinstall windows
so i ran all the Product Key checkin programs (ViewXPkey, Belarc,
Aida32 etc etc) but with computer one ( SP2) the product key on the
screen of the checkers display a key begining with R while the
sticker begins with M.

So i wanted to know that if i ran the same programs on Computer 2
would it show the correct product key or a different key to the
label that was ripped.

Sorry if ive confused you - ;-)


BTW - i prefer not to be treated like a person with no knowledge of
computers, i think i have a very good knowledge and that i am very
good with them - How ever i am very bad with system registrys(if
its needed).

Soz im overexcited about installing Apple Mac OS X tiger on my pc -
it works very nicely and is quite fast on my Pentium 4 HT Extreme
Edition thats been overclocked!!!


Thank You very much in advance

No confusion.

First - did you install the OS yourself on the computer on? If not - it is
entirely possible that the CD key will NOT match what is on the sticker.
This could be good for you or bad.

My advice would be to write down the key that applications like magic
jellybean keyfinder give you, make an image of the machine onto an external
point and try to install using your CD. If the number works properly - you
are probably in business.. Howebver - there is a possibility that the OEM -
who ever they were - to save time installed the OS with their copy and sold
you the legitimate copy with the legitimate number stuck on the case. This
is NOT good business practice and not technically legitimate.

As for your direct question - that could be answered by you - running the
applications on the other computers.

 

[Guest]

Thank You for your quick awnser and helpful instructions

also could you help me with the following question

1) when activating the windows with the product key found using third party
software eg Magic Jelly bean would microsoft allow it- because i have
already activated it and i am not sure if it is the right product key.


Thank you soo much in advance - I thought i would have to wait another day
before reinstalling it ( computers are so addictive)

 

[paulmd]

Hello, my name is Janacksan(a little unusual) and i am 14 years old.
I own three computers all with microsoft Windows Xp.
as follows:

1)OEM - Dell Dimension 8400 - Quad - Boot --- Linux, Windows Vista and
Windows XP Home SP2 and Mac OS X Tiger

2)OEM - Manufacturer not known - Windows XP Home SP1

3)Home Built Pc with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OEM

I want to reformat the second computer and upgrade windows to SP2 after
reinstalling - i have the original cd and manual but the stickers has been
ripped leaving only the barcode.

So to reformat it i wanted to make sure i could reinstall windows so i ran
all the Product Key checkin programs (ViewXPkey, Belarc, Aida32 etc etc) but
with computer one ( SP2) the product key on the screen of the checkers
display a key begining with R while the sticker begins with M.

The OEM used a different key.

So i wanted to know that if i ran the same programs on Computer 2 would it
show the correct product key or a different key to the label that was ripped.

Sorry if ive confused you - ;-)


BTW - i prefer not to be treated like a person with no knowledge of
computers, i think i have a very good knowledge and that i am very good with
them - How ever i am very bad with system registrys(if its needed).

Soz im overexcited about installing Apple Mac OS X tiger on my pc - it works
very nicely and is quite fast on my Pentium 4 HT Extreme Edition thats been
overclocked!!!

How, and Why?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hello, my name is Janacksan(a little unusual) and i am 14 years old.
I own three computers all with microsoft Windows Xp.
as follows:

1)OEM - Dell Dimension 8400 - Quad - Boot --- Linux, Windows Vista and
Windows XP Home SP2 and Mac OS X Tiger

2)OEM - Manufacturer not known - Windows XP Home SP1

3)Home Built Pc with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OEM

I want to reformat the second computer and upgrade windows to SP2 after
reinstalling - i have the original cd and manual but the stickers has been
ripped leaving only the barcode.

This seems to imply that the OEM license was purchased from a small
systems builder and came with an unbranded, generic OEM installation CD.
If this was the case, the utilities that read the Product Key should
be able to reveal the correct Product Key for that particular OEM license.

So to reformat it i wanted to make sure i could reinstall windows so i ran
all the Product Key checkin programs (ViewXPkey, Belarc, Aida32 etc etc) but
with computer one ( SP2) the product key on the screen of the checkers
display a key begining with R while the sticker begins with M.

If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since
reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably of the drive
image used at the factory and not your specific license's Product Key.
The Product Key on the CoA is the one you'll need to use if you ever
have to reinstall WinXP on that computer.

So i wanted to know that if i ran the same programs on Computer 2 would it
show the correct product key or a different key to the label that was ripped.

That would depend upon whether or not Computer 2 still has the original
factory installation, or the OS has been reinstalled at some time in the
past. Lacking a legible CoA or a means of contacting the manufacturer,
about all you can do is retrieve the Product Key, and see if it works.

Sorry if ive confused you - ;-)

You haven't.

BTW - i prefer not to be treated like a person with no knowledge of
computers, i think i have a very good knowledge and that i am very good with
them - How ever i am very bad with system registrys(if its needed).

That seems a little defensive; have you had bad experiences in the news
groups prior to this?

Also, rather than Installing WinXP SP1 and then SP2, why not create a
slip-streamed WinXP SP2 installation CD? It'll save you time,
particularly if there is any future need to reinstall.

For slip-streaming the service pack and subsequent updates to WinXP:

How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828930

SlipStreaming WinXP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Thank You for your quick awnser and helpful instructions

also could you help me with the following question

1) when activating the windows with the product key found using third party
software eg Magic Jelly bean would microsoft allow it- because i have
already activated it and i am not sure if it is the right product key.

If it's been more than 120 days since that specific Product Key was
last activated, than it would probably work.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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