Re-installing XP without original CD

[Guest]

I replaced a hard drive in a Toshiba laptop. I don't have the original XP
Home CD. The original serial number is on a sticker on the bottom of the
laptop and all the internal components (except the hard drive of course) are
the same. If I have access to another original CD, can I install the OS from
it and use the numbers on the sticker when the installation routine asks for
them?

Thanks!

 

[Jerry]

No - the install routine expects to match what you type with its internal
info.

 

[Paul Knudsen]

If I have access to another original CD, can I install the OS from
it and use the numbers on the sticker when the installation routine asks for
them?

Probably. Nothing to lose by trying.

 

[Jerry]

The only internal info in the install routine that has to match is the type
of license. If he has an OEM license for XP, which is probably what he has,
and uses an XP OEM Home install disk, then his license will work. If he
tries to use an XP Home upgrade or full version with an OEM license, then it
will not work. The reverse is also true. There is nothing on the cd that
ties it to a specific license key number.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I replaced a hard drive in a Toshiba laptop. I don't have the original XP
Home CD. The original serial number is on a sticker on the bottom of the
laptop and all the internal components (except the hard drive of course) are
the same. If I have access to another original CD, can I install the OS from
it and use the numbers on the sticker when the installation routine asks for
them?

Thanks!

Very probably, yes. Product Keys are bound to the specific type and
language of CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) 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 upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with
a full version CD, 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.

But, if you can find another Toshiba Recovery CD made for that specific
model laptop, or an unbranded, generic OEM WinXP Home installation CD,
your Product Key should work. Of course, if you do use a generic CD,
you'll also have to download and install the device drivers for most of
the laptops internal components from Toshiba.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[HeyBub]

I replaced a hard drive in a Toshiba laptop. I don't have the
original XP Home CD. The original serial number is on a sticker on
the bottom of the laptop and all the internal components (except the
hard drive of course) are the same. If I have access to another
original CD, can I install the OS from it and use the numbers on the
sticker when the installation routine asks for them?

If all else fails, contact Toshiba.

 

[Country Pumpkin]

I replaced a hard drive in a Toshiba laptop. I don't have the original
XP Home CD. The original serial number is on a sticker on the bottom
of the laptop and all the internal components (except the hard drive
of course) are the same. If I have access to another original CD, can
I install the OS from it and use the numbers on the sticker when the
installation routine asks for them?

Thanks!

This will work, but try using windowXp home, thats what worked for
me.
My recovery disk for my desk top.

Ok, How to use windows Xp on another PC without buying another
Window software. This was found on the Internet...google search

With your present windows operating system

Step 1- Open the windows ;c drive click on windows
Then click on windows , system32 folder.

Step 2 - From your PC , system32 folder, copy WPA.DBL and
WPA.BAK , and the WPA.baln file
from the folder, send to a floppy.

Step 3- Now the PC that you have reformated, needs activation.
Don't worry about the Register part, just activate.
Use the same windows operating recovery disk as you have on the
other PC.

Step 4- Now, Boot the Pc that you have reformated , hit f8 to
boot into safe-mode.
If you get to safe mode, open your windows files, system32 folder,
with your floppy, insert it, then
copy and paste your 3 files you have on the floppy from your
other PC.
Place these file in the folder in the same place as they were
in the other PC.

Step 5- Close it out, now your going to reboot again, but it will
go to normal windows.( Restart)

Step 6- When you see that the pop-up box aking you to register and
activate, go and activate it online
Past the register part, just activate it now. It should go right
to finish with activation.
"But you made need to enter the key once. Only if it ask."

Note , this only worked on my Laptop, so keep that in mind.