Verification that I can really do the transfer I am trying to

[Guest]

I own three computers:

A Dell Laptop, which came with Windows 2000, and was upgraded to XP by its
previous owner, who did not include the CD or key. This computer no longer
works (at all.)

An Apple Laptop, which I installed the OEM version of XP on. (all kosher and
everything)

And a new Desktop I just built.


So, at this count, I have two legal copies of XP: one on the dead Dell, and
one on the Apple.
Unfortunately, I only have one actual XP CD (all copies of XP are Pro). It
is the OEM cd I used to load the Apple.

What I want to do is install XP on my new Desktop. I had to do the install
with my OEM CD, since it is all I had, but I know that during activation, the
service rep can change your CD key. SO...

Can I use the CD Key from the dead Dell (a number which I do not know, but
Microsoft should be able to look up, or at least verify exists, since I still
have the Dell and its serial # and all) on my new desktop?
I should be able to, since the copy I am transferring is the Retail version,
and I just had to use a OEM CD Key to get it to boot, but the Rep should
just be able to give me the old key, right?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Assuming a retail upgrade version of Windows XP Pro
was installed on the non-functioning Dell computer, and
you do not know what the Product Key number is, you
are essentially out of luck. However, you can try the following:

How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us

Please note that a Product Key for a retail version of Windows XP
cannot be used with a Windows XP OEM CD.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­---------------------------------

"Sam Haskins" wrote:

| I own three computers:
|
| A Dell Laptop, which came with Windows 2000, and was upgraded to XP by its
| previous owner, who did not include the CD or key. This computer no longer
| works (at all.)
|
| An Apple Laptop, which I installed the OEM version of XP on. (all kosher and
| everything)
|
| And a new Desktop I just built.
|
|
| So, at this count, I have two legal copies of XP: one on the dead Dell, and
| one on the Apple.
| Unfortunately, I only have one actual XP CD (all copies of XP are Pro). It
| is the OEM cd I used to load the Apple.
|
| What I want to do is install XP on my new Desktop. I had to do the install
| with my OEM CD, since it is all I had, but I know that during activation, the
| service rep can change your CD key. SO...
|
| Can I use the CD Key from the dead Dell (a number which I do not know, but
| Microsoft should be able to look up, or at least verify exists, since I still
| have the Dell and its serial # and all) on my new desktop?
| I should be able to, since the copy I am transferring is the Retail version,
| and I just had to use a OEM CD Key to get it to boot, but the Rep should
| just be able to give me the old key, right?

 

[Guest]

So Microsoft cannot look up my CD key based upon the serial number, and such,
of the Dell? I thought that the Hardware Code would include that info somehow.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

So Microsoft cannot look up my CD key based upon the serial number,
and such, of the Dell? I thought that the Hardware Code would
include that info somehow.

No.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I own three computers:

A Dell Laptop, which came with Windows 2000, and was upgraded to XP
by its previous owner, who did not include the CD or key. This
computer no longer works (at all.)

An Apple Laptop, which I installed the OEM version of XP on. (all
kosher and everything)

And a new Desktop I just built.


So, at this count, I have two legal copies of XP: one on the dead
Dell, and one on the Apple.
Unfortunately, I only have one actual XP CD (all copies of XP are
Pro). It is the OEM cd I used to load the Apple.

What I want to do is install XP on my new Desktop. I had to do the
install with my OEM CD, since it is all I had, but I know that
during activation, the service rep can change your CD key. SO...

Can I use the CD Key from the dead Dell (a number which I do not
know, but Microsoft should be able to look up, or at least verify
exists, since I still have the Dell and its serial # and all) on my
new desktop?
I should be able to, since the copy I am transferring is the Retail
version, and I just had to use a OEM CD Key to get it to boot, but
the Rep should just be able to give me the old key, right?

You'll need another license (at least) in your given case.

You don't have the CD or CD Key for the upgrade version the *previous owner*
installed on the now defunct laptop - so you just got to use Windows XP and
the *previous owner* duped you out of true ownership of said license.

Your OEM version is installed - and being OEM - your support for it comes
from those who installed it/you purchased it from - Not Microsoft.

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

I guess you have difficulty grasping the concept that you cannot do what you
want to do. I am just curious to see how many times you have to be told you
cannot do it before it starts to dawn on you that....well...you can't do
it...

Bobby