USING ANOTHER RESTORE CD

[Sue]

I have 2 emachine computers. One with Windows 98 and one
with Windows XP. Both died. One was mom's - sent hers
back for reimbursement. One was daughter's - (windows
98) - lost restore CD. Upgraded daughters's computer -
more memory. Used mom's restore CD on daughter's
computer (since we sent mom's back there is no licensing
issues - and daughter's computer crashed - so her Windows
product is not being used)- still "one product-one
computer". Daughter's computer worked for a while with
mom's restore cd until the "product activation" feature
kicked in and won't allow her to bypass any longer and
must enter product ID. So daughter enters product ID
from mom's computer and daughter's computer won't accept
it. Emachines tells me we need to order daughter's
restore CD and re-install. However, since there is no
licensing issue, and mom's restore cd works on daughter's
computer, how can I get product activation for daughter's
computer. Will Microsoft allow activation and activate
it behind the scenes?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Yes there is a "licensing issue" which you created.
A PC manufacturer's Restore CD will only permit
Product Activation on the original PC it came with.

So you returned the defective eMachine running
Windows XP and kept the "Restore CD"? Do you
not consider that stealing? Since you apparently
received a refund, you have no rights to use
the Restore CD/XP license you kept as a "souvenir".

Only way you can get Windows XP to activate is to
purchase a conventional "Full Version" of Windows XP
and perform a "Repair Install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| I have 2 emachine computers. One with Windows 98 and one
| with Windows XP. Both died. One was mom's - sent hers
| back for reimbursement. One was daughter's - (windows
| 98) - lost restore CD. Upgraded daughters's computer -
| more memory. Used mom's restore CD on daughter's
| computer (since we sent mom's back there is no licensing
| issues - and daughter's computer crashed - so her Windows
| product is not being used)- still "one product-one
| computer". Daughter's computer worked for a while with
| mom's restore cd until the "product activation" feature
| kicked in and won't allow her to bypass any longer and
| must enter product ID. So daughter enters product ID
| from mom's computer and daughter's computer won't accept
| it. Emachines tells me we need to order daughter's
| restore CD and re-install. However, since there is no
| licensing issue, and mom's restore cd works on daughter's
| computer, how can I get product activation for daughter's
| computer. Will Microsoft allow activation and activate
| it behind the scenes?