Reinstall WindowsXP

  • Thread starter Thread starter DJ Borell
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DJ Borell

MP said:
A colleauge wants to reinstall WindowsXP. However, we have several
WindowsXP CDs (one for each PC). Behind each PC there is a sticker with
the product key. How do we identify which CD matches with the WindowsXP on
my colleague's PC?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The physical CD is not matched to any particular system. What's matched is
the key to the *type* of Windows version. Since you've got a COA on the
system, your Windows is OEM. It should say on the COA whether the key is
for Home or Pro. All you need to do is use the proper version for the key
on the system.

From the way you worded your question, I'm infering that the PC's are all of
a like brand. If that's not the case, try to use the Recovery CD from the
same vendor as the PC.

Also, fix your clock...you're several hours fast.
 
To view the existing Product Key any one of these utilities will extract it for
you:

1) This freeware utility displays both the OS and Office product keys:

"The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your
Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It has the
options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for
safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Office
97, and Office XP. This version is a quick update to make it work with Windows
Server 2003."

Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

2) If you're interested in obtaining more than just Product Keys, this freeware
utility
will give you a complete system report.

Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
 
MP said:
A colleauge wants to reinstall WindowsXP. However, we have several
WindowsXP CDs (one for each PC). Behind each PC there is a sticker
with the product key. How do we identify which CD matches with the
WindowsXP on my colleague's PC?
Click to expand...

If it is a sticker n the PC, likely an OEM.
Any OEM XP CD should work, unless the copies of OEM CDs you have are BIOS
locked - which is - in my exerience - rare.
 
In
MP said:
A colleauge wants to reinstall WindowsXP. However, we have several
WindowsXP CDs (one for each PC). Behind each PC there is a sticker
with the product key. How do we identify which CD matches with the
WindowsXP on my colleague's PC?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Set your time zone.
The XP CD is not hard coded to a specific product key.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
CD's should be identical, use which ever one you want, when it asks for the
product key, give the one on the sticker.
 
Shenan Stanley said:
MP wrote:
Any OEM XP CD should work, unless the copies of OEM CDs you have are BIOS
locked - which is - in my exerience - rare.
Click to expand...

Dell certainly used to lock their Win 98 CDs. I don't know if they have
continued this practice to later versions.

Ian
 
Danger here is if the systems are preinstalled from the manufacturer with a
volume OEM licensing key, the PK used there will not be the same as the ones
on the stickers. Using JellyBean will reveal the wrong key, which will not
be usable.

If all the machines are basically the same (bought as a bunch), then it
shouldn't matter which disk is used.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
A colleauge wants to reinstall WindowsXP. However, we have several
WindowsXP CDs (one for each PC). Behind each PC there is a sticker with the
product key. How do we identify which CD matches with the WindowsXP on my
colleague's PC?

Thanks!
 
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