Re-installing windows xp pro on a preinstalled system

[Davejx]

I have a laptop and the hard disk has failed, the recovery software was on a
partition on the failed hard drive. So no discs to re-install o/s

I have replaced the hard drive and now need to reinstall windows, can I
re-install windows xp pro using the copper coloured oem windows xp pro disc I
have, using the key from the oem coa label on base of laptop.

Will I be properly licenced using this method?

Thanks

 

[Malke]

I have a laptop and the hard disk has failed, the recovery software was on a
partition on the failed hard drive. So no discs to re-install o/s

I have replaced the hard drive and now need to reinstall windows, can I
re-install windows xp pro using the copper coloured oem windows xp pro disc I
have, using the key from the oem coa label on base of laptop.

Will I be properly licenced using this method?

It depends on whether the OEM version of XP Pro you have on disk is the
same as the OEM version that was originally installed on the laptop. If
they are the same, it will work. You will probably have to activate over
the telephone. If they are not the same; i.e., the laptop was running XP
Home or MCE, then it will not work.

A better solution is to contact the laptop mftr. and purchase the
physical restore disks. HP, for instance, only charges around $20 to do
this.


Malke

 

[Davejx]

Sorry I should have mentioned the laptop was pre-installed with win xp pro
and the coa is for oem windows xp pro, the disc i have to re-install o/s is
oem xp pro, so yes they are the same version.

So the question still stands, will I be properly licenced?

I ask this question because one repair shop says I must buy a new copy of
windows and new coa, because the coa attached to laptop will only work with
the laptop manufacturers restore disc. He says that is the only legal way to
do it. Another says he will just use an oem copy of win xp pro and the key
from my coa to re-install, so he would only charge for the time to
re-install, but I can do that myself with what I have.

So who is right? the first shop or the second?

 

[Malke]

Sorry I should have mentioned the laptop was pre-installed with win xp pro
and the coa is for oem windows xp pro, the disc i have to re-install o/s is
oem xp pro, so yes they are the same version.

So the question still stands, will I be properly licenced?

I ask this question because one repair shop says I must buy a new copy of
windows and new coa, because the coa attached to laptop will only work with
the laptop manufacturers restore disc. He says that is the only legal way to
do it. Another says he will just use an oem copy of win xp pro and the key
from my coa to re-install, so he would only charge for the time to
re-install, but I can do that myself with what I have.

So who is right? the first shop or the second?

If you have a generic OEM XP Pro you can use it to clean install Windows
on your laptop. Use the COA key that is on the bottom of your laptop.
You will probably need to activate over the phone. I've done this for
clients many, many times. I think Shop 1 just wanted to sell you another
copy of Windows - or wasn't as experienced as Shop 2.

Don't forget to download all the drivers and laptop-specific software
from the laptop mftr.'s website first because you'll need to install
them after the operating system is done.


Malke

 

[Davejx]

Thank you for your very prompt replies and for confirming what I originally
thought.

Best Regards,
Dave