Using XP Home to replace "recovery" version

[Joe Mamma]

Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have installed on
one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed with
Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would like to
re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but I do
not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be
installed this way. Here in lies the question:

Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular copy of
windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the license
that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS, will
the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Gordon]

Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have installed on
one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed with
Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would like to
re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but I do
not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be
installed this way. Here in lies the question:

Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular copy of
windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the license
that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS, will
the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

Absolutely - as long as the two versions are the same TYPE - i.e. both
OEM or both Retail full or both retail upgrade.

 

[Alias]

Absolutely - as long as the two versions are the same TYPE - i.e. both
OEM or both Retail full or both retail upgrade.

It looks as though one is a generic OEM or retail and the other, of
course, is a branded OEM so it probably won't work.

Alias

 

[Xandros]

Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have installed
on
one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed with
Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would like to
re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but I do
not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be
installed this way. Here in lies the question:

Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular copy of
windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the
license
that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS,
will
the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

It is unlikely that will work. The version that came preinstalled is an OEM
version. The other version is likely a Retail version. Product keys for OEM
versions are not recognized by Retail versions. Therefore when asked during
setup for the Product Key the one from the sticker on the computer likely
will not be accepted.

However you can try it to see if it works by doing the following which won't
cause you any data loss.

On the computer you wish to do the reinstall boot to the Desktop. Pop the CD
for Windows XP into the CD drive. When the install screen pops open select
the option to Install. Select the option to Upgrade. You will then be asked
to provide the Product Key. Type in the key that came with the computer. If
it is not accepted you will be told that the key is invalid. You can cancel
the process. NO harm done. If the key is accepted you will go to the next
screen at which time you can cancel knowing that the OEM key for the
computer will work with your XP CD.

Once again it is highly unlikely that the CD will accept the OEM key. But if
it does your install will be legal.

 

[Malke]

Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have installed
on
one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed with
Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would like to
re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but I do
not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be
installed this way. Here in lies the question:

Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular copy of
windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the
license
that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS,
will
the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

It depends on the version of XP that you have installed on your other
computer. If it is a generic OEM (or a branded OEM like Dell and the target
computer is a Dell running the same version of XP - Home, Pro, Media
Center) then this will work. You will use the Product Key that is on the
sticker of your OEM machine. In the case of using a generic OEM disk on a
branded OEM machine (Dell, Toshiba, HP, etc.) you will probably need to
activate over the phone but this is no big deal.

If the XP installation media you used on your other computer is *not* a
generic/branded OEM but is a retail version, then you won't be able to use
it with your OEM machine's Product Key. You would then need to do a clean
install but activation will fail since the retail key is in use on your
other computer.

Malke

 

[Daave]

Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have
installed on
one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed
with
Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would
like to
re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but
I do
not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be
installed this way. Here in lies the question:

Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular
copy of
windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the
license
that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS,
will
the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

You can use the "regular copy of windows XP" if it is a generic OEM
installation disk of the same type that your pre-installed PC came with
(e.g., Pro or Home). Is that what you have?

Another option is to burn your own installation disk using your recovery
discs:

http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml