using retail CD to reinstall OEM XP?

[Guest]

I sent message to MS support but failed to get an appropriate response. -

Message: I have a Medion based Microstar computer that has the Operating
system files for re installation on the drive, rather than giving a Complete
CD (for piracy prevention) However, when the computer slowed to a treacle
pace, I went to reinstall. Prior to reinstall I did take a note of the
licence stored on the Laptop registry. It seems different to the one on the
Microsoft label on the outside of the machine. The machine is a genuine
machine purchased directly from PC World.

Unfortunately with no warranty remaining neither Medion or PC World want to
touch it. When I went to reinstall it fails. saying that files are missing.
no degree of checking the disk will resolve the matter.

My question - If I purchase a full retail version of XP Home (around £175)
will I be able to install it onto the laptop with it's original codes(even if
they are OEM?) Then I also can use the bought CD to install with the OS onto
another machine using the codes that came with the retail version?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you need confirmation I have valid
codes I can always give them.

Thanks

Adrian

RESPONSE
Dear Adrian,

Thank you for your email about Microsoft® Windows® XP Home edition.

Windows® XP Home edition retail version can be installed on only one
computer, you would not be able to install and activate it on any other
computer. For more information on the EULA, please visit the following
weblink:

http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/

I hope this information has answered your query, but if you have any more
questions please call us on 0870 60 10 100. Our lines are open from 8am to
6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Of course if you prefer
please send me an email.

Many thanks for contacting us.

Kind Regards,

PADMAVATHI LAKSHMAN
Customer Service Professional
Microsoft Customer Services

REPLY


Dear PADMAVATHI LAKSHMAN

Thank you for not reading my question!

I can appreciate that only one licence can be used per computer. If you
had understood the preamble, I wish to reinstall one computer using it's
original licence. It has already had its own legal licence. I am not
asking to use the new retail licence twice. I wish, if possible, to
install from the retail disk and when it asks for the licence code, to
use the original one on the laptop that it is licenced to.

So I ask the question again - Can I reinstall Windows XP home on a
Laptop that has a legally licensed version of windows XP home on it,
using the OEM licence code that it originally came with?

Thanks

Adrian

Can anyone confirm or deny my wish?

Thanks

Adrian

 

[Dave B.]

1. The discrepancy in the product keys is normal for some OEM's such as
Dell, HP and so on, no problem there.
2. No, you will not be able to install a retail version using an OEM key.

--

 

[Guest]

Thank You Dave B,

That is a shame, especially as that was the advice of PCWorld (maybe wanted
a sale regardless!)

Oh well, back to pounding on the doors of Medion and PCWorld. Thanks again,

Adrian

 

[DL]

You tried checking the hd with the hd manufacturers tool, avilable on their
(hd) site?

 

[Guest]

Thank you DL,

No, I had not tried that route. I will try to source that out,


Many Thanks

Adrian