Repair/Installs using XP CD question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Victek
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Victek

Doing a repair/install with the XP CD is often the best way to recover the
OS, but it's not always possible because the user doesn't have the media or
the computer only comes with System Recovery Disks that destroy the user's
data. Although I have a number of versions of XP media I don't know which
will accept the user's license key. How many different types of license
keys are there (full, upgrade, OEM?) and how do you identify the media they
work with?
 
Victek, none of Your Versions of WinXP will work on her computer using
her license
key. Her license key is tied to that individual computer if it was
provided as OEM with
the Purchase of the System. If you have a WinXP CD with a corporate
license key then
that will work on her computer but that is not a legal situation.
 
Victek, none of Your Versions of WinXP will work on her computer using
her license
key. Her license key is tied to that individual computer if it was
provided as OEM with
the Purchase of the System. If you have a WinXP CD with a corporate
license key then
that will work on her computer but that is not a legal situation.
Click to expand...

I understand that the license is tied to the machine, but are you saying
that the media is tied to the machine as well, or is it just "brand
specific"? If a company only provides "System Recovery" disks that
destructively reimage the system then the user loses an important tool.
 
Yes, if she had a OEM version of WinXP CD that came with the system then
it would be tied to the machine. But,
then she could do a Repair Install using the CD. She wouldnt have to
use the Recovery
Disks.
 
Victek said:
I understand that the license is tied to the machine, but are you saying
that the media is tied to the machine as well, or is it just "brand
specific"?
Click to expand...


Neither, I think, was implied. However, the media _is_ "tied" to the
license, in a manner of speaking, as well as an OEM license being tied
to the machine.

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.
Bottom line: Product Keys and CD/license types cannot be mixed & matched.

If a company only provides "System Recovery" disks that
destructively reimage the system then the user loses an important tool.
Click to expand...


This is a very sad truth, which is why I generally tell people not to
do business with such companies.


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Victek, none of Your Versions of WinXP will work on her computer using
Neither, I think, was implied. However, the media _is_ "tied" to the
license, in a manner of speaking, as well as an OEM license being tied to
the machine.

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. Bottom line: Product Keys and
CD/license types cannot be mixed & matched.




This is a very sad truth, which is why I generally tell people not to do
business with such companies.
Click to expand...

I think I get it now, thanks!
 
Yes, if she had a OEM version of WinXP CD that came with the system then
it would be tied to the machine. But,
then she could do a Repair Install using the CD. She wouldnt have to use
the Recovery Disks
Click to expand...

I get it, thanks! My remaining question is are OEM versions of WinXP from
different companies created equal (assuming of course that they are same
version, I.e. home, pro, etc.) And if they are would it be legal to use the
media from a different company along with the user's license? Thanks for
your patience with this.
 
Victek said:
I get it, thanks! My remaining question is are OEM versions of WinXP
from different companies created equal (assuming of course that they are
same version, I.e. home, pro, etc.) And if they are would it be legal
to use the media from a different company along with the user's
license? Thanks for your patience with this.
Click to expand...

Typically those are BIOS locked and thus won't even install. Your
mileage may vary.
 
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