reactivation

[Guest]

hi i have a oem version of xp installed on my system i bought im upgrading
the system witha new mobo graphics card and ram and i dont ahve an xp disk as
it was already installed when i got my system i only have a serial sticker on
the back of my pc how will i be able to repair windows/reactivate it without
a disk! i have got reebot disk which came with the pc will i be able to use
those i dont really want to loose all my files! but if theres no other qay i
will!

thanks for your help

Nick

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Without a disk, you can't. Since it's an OEM, it's usually tied to the
original hardware. Further, if this is a commercial system from one of the
majors, the OEM is usually BIOS locked meaning any upgrades to the system
would have to come through the manufacturer.

If you change the motherboard, the system usually requires a repair install
and that requires a CD. Most of the OEM disks provided by the major
manufacturer's don't even have that option.

You probably should check with the original manufacturer of the system for
help with this.

--

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[Guest]

yer its emachiens and they are usless i have no help from them ! they never
respond to me emails would it be best jsut to buy a version of xp again which
is annoying as really i already own a version which i payed for i just was
never given a disk! thanks nick

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

For the purposes you describe, yes it would be best to purchase a retail
copy. You should understand, one of the reasons Emachines and others can
offer PCs at the price points they offer is because of the low price of the
OEM license they provide the user. What you paid for was a machine with an
OEM license and the cost of that license was a very small amount compared,
not only to the price of the machine but the retail price of Windows XP.

One of the reasons for that low price is the fact the license under most
terms of the EULA cannot be transferred to another machine or, in the case
of vendors who provide an OEM version with a piece of hardware, is forever
tied to that hardware.

Further, manufacturer provided OEMs are often crippled versions of the OS
that do not include the Recovery Console, the option of a repair install and
sometimes not even the ability to use the System File Checker. A retail
version should serve you well as first, it can be moved to another system
and second, it's not a crippled version of the OS.

--

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[Guest]

thank you very much for all the help you have given me most greatful for it
thanks again nick

 

[Ron Martell]

Further, manufacturer provided OEMs are often crippled versions of the OS
that do not include the Recovery Console, the option of a repair install and
sometimes not even the ability to use the System File Checker. A retail
version should serve you well as first, it can be moved to another system
and second, it's not a crippled version of the OS.

Slight correction. It is the installation media that is crippled in
these instances and not the installed operating system.

With a "System Recovery" CD or a hidden partition on the hard drive
the additional functionality that is available with a proper
installation CD is not available.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Yes, I should have made that a little more clear but it does depend a bit on
what precisely they provide.

For example, if they provide a CD that is essentially an image of the system
when new and, those images are often using some proprietary compression and
SFC wouldn't recognize it.

This is something of which more users obviously need to be aware, the
different types of media and push the manufacturer's when they are making a
purchase for the type that best suits their needs.

--

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

You're welcome, good luck.

--

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/