Reinstalling Windows XP without disc

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Guest

Hi

I'm running an oem version of Windows XP on my desktop and have been for the
past 3 years. It's come to the point where I need to reinstall Windows, but
I've hit a problem. The computer was purchased from the UK vendor Time
Computers, a company which went bankrupt last year and no longer exists. Time
didn't supply the Windows disc with the computer, choosing instead to provide
a Time branded restore disc. I want to do a fresh install, and my question is
whether I can use the oem Windows XP disc that came with my laptop (also XP),
and then use the windows activation code which is printed on the 'genuine
windows' sticker on the back of my desktop. Is this possible/allowed? Or will
I have to buy a new license of XP?

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Ben said:
I'm running an oem version of Windows XP on my desktop and have
been for the past 3 years. It's come to the point where I need to
reinstall Windows, but I've hit a problem. The computer was
purchased from the UK vendor Time Computers, a company which went
bankrupt last year and no longer exists. Time didn't supply the
Windows disc with the computer, choosing instead to provide a Time
branded restore disc. I want to do a fresh install, and my question
is whether I can use the oem Windows XP disc that came with my
laptop (also XP), and then use the windows activation code which is
printed on the 'genuine windows' sticker on the back of my desktop.
Is this possible/allowed? Or will I have to buy a new license of
XP?
Click to expand...

If what you have/can get is a Generic OEM CD - it *might* work with the CD
Key that is on the computer (*might not* as well).
Otherwise - you will either use the restore CD or buy another CD/license.

The only way to be sure is to make sure you have rverything (the correct CD
Keys, all the applications you want to install, all the correct/latest
hardware drivers, all the latest Windows patches ready to be installed
without getting on the Internet, etc..) and give it a go.

Want to be extra careful?
Make a complete image with Ghost/TrueImage/BootItNG/etc before your
attempt... That way you can always fall back to the pre-reinstall state.
 
Hiya

Thanks for the quick response. I've only briefly looked at the restore CD,
so i'll look into it again and give it a go, if i have no success i'll buy a
new license.

Thanks again
 
Ben said:
I'm running an oem version of Windows XP on my desktop and have been
for the past 3 years. It's come to the point where I need to
reinstall Windows,
Click to expand...


Why? How do you know? It's very seldom necessary.

but I've hit a problem. The computer was purchased
from the UK vendor Time Computers, a company which went bankrupt last
year and no longer exists. Time didn't supply the Windows disc with
the computer, choosing instead to provide a Time branded restore
disc. I want to do a fresh install, and my question is whether I can
use the oem Windows XP disc that came with my laptop (also XP), and
then use the windows activation code which is printed on the 'genuine
windows' sticker on the back of my desktop. Is this possible/allowed?
Click to expand...


It probably won't work. One manufacturer's OEM product code doesn't usually
work with another OEM's computer.

Or will I have to buy a new license of XP?
Click to expand...


Why? Why not use the restore disk you have?
 
..
my question is whether I can
Click to expand...
You probably can't. Microsoft in theory blocked these OEM certs from
activating a couple of years ago, though there are claims elsewhere on
the web that they will still work. Usually what happens if you use an
OEM (non-SLP) cd with the Time number is that windows installs, but
wont activate. If you use a retail CD it wont install at all.
A BIOS-locked OEM SLP setup CD wont ask for a product code anyway -its
hard wired into the software. To make that install on another machine
you have to trick the machine into thinking its made by the "owner" of
the OEM CD - which means hacking the DMI SLP string in the BIOS.. This
is not the correct place to explain how to do that as M$ will probably
get upset.

Your best bet is to use the reload CD that came with the machine. If
you dont have one, reply here with details of the model number from the
back of thr machine. Should read something like 286MT123G5
 
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