Version of xp from product key

[Adrian Brown]

Im trying to install my PC but ive lost the C.D. The product code is still
attached to the PC so i presume i can legally borrow a cd from a friend and
install, but to do that i would need to know which version of the cd it was
and i cant remember if it was including service pack 1 etc. Is there a way
to tell from the product key?

Many Thanks

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The Windows XP Product Key affixed to your computer
will only work with the PC manufacturer's restore, recovery,
or reinstallation CD. You'll have to contact your PC
manufacturer and order a new CD.

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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

:

| I'm trying to install my PC but ive lost the C.D. The product code is still
| attached to the PC so i presume i can legally borrow a cd from a friend and
| install, but to do that i would need to know which version of the cd it was
| and i cant remember if it was including service pack 1 etc. Is there a way
| to tell from the product key?
|
| Many Thanks

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Im trying to install my PC but ive lost the C.D. The product
code is
still attached to the PC so i presume i can legally borrow a cd
from
a friend and install, but to do that i would need to know which
version of the cd it was and i cant remember if it was
including
service pack 1 etc. Is there a way to tell from the product
key?

Hold down the Windows key and press Pause/Break. That will tell
which, if any, Service Pack is installed.

But the most important thing is that you need the same kind of
CD: OEM vs. Retail, Full vs. Upgrade, and Home vs. Professional.
And if yours is an OEM version that came preinstalled on the
computer, you probably also need a CD from another of the same
manufacturer's machines.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Im trying to install my PC but ive lost the C.D. The product code is still
attached to the PC so i presume i can legally borrow a cd from a friend and
install, but to do that i would need to know which version of the cd it was
and i cant remember if it was including service pack 1 etc. Is there a way
to tell from the product key?

SP status does not matter. What does is to match Home or Pro; Upgrade
or Full version; Retail or OEM version. It should be fairly easy to
cross check that with your friends system and CD.

 

[Dan]

Actually, I like the full versions of Microsoft's operating systems best
because they have the full product and the user has everything and does not
have to deal with having a certain cd to prove upgrade worth. I have the
full retail version of 98SE as well as about two other copies of 98SE and one
full XP PRO. version that is installed on this computer in a customized
dual-boot configuration of 98SE and XP PRO. and although they are the most
expensive, I can usually cut costs by buying it at Best Buy with dollars
earned from reward programs and also using their 10% off coupons. Perhaps
Alias does have some valid points in some of his rhetoric even though I do
not entirely agree with him and I for one do not use pirated software because
it is against my conscience but I will not judge others for their actions and
I will leave that to themselves and their conscience. Have a nice day!

: Im trying to install my PC but ive lost the C.D. The product code is still
: attached to the PC so i presume i can legally borrow a cd from a friend and
: install, but to do that i would need to know which version of the cd it was
: and i cant remember if it was including service pack 1 etc. Is there a way
: to tell from the product key?
:
: Many Thanks
:
:
:

 

[Alias]

| Actually, I like the full versions of Microsoft's operating systems best
| because they have the full product and the user has everything and does
not
| have to deal with having a certain cd to prove upgrade worth. I have the
| full retail version of 98SE as well as about two other copies of 98SE and
one
| full XP PRO. version that is installed on this computer in a customized
| dual-boot configuration of 98SE and XP PRO. and although they are the most
| expensive, I can usually cut costs by buying it at Best Buy with dollars
| earned from reward programs and also using their 10% off coupons. Perhaps
| Alias does have some valid points in some of his rhetoric even though I do
| not entirely agree with him and I for one do not use pirated software
because
| it is against my conscience but I will not judge others for their actions
and
| I will leave that to themselves and their conscience. Have a nice day!

I don't use pirated software. I do use OEM XPs and do not buy hardware when
I buy them.
|
| | : Im trying to install my PC but ive lost the C.D. The product code is
still
| : attached to the PC so i presume i can legally borrow a cd from a friend
and
| : install, but to do that i would need to know which version of the cd it
was
| : and i cant remember if it was including service pack 1 etc. Is there a
way
| : to tell from the product key?
| :
| : Many Thanks

I don't know, sorry.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Actually, I like the full versions of Microsoft's operating
systems
best because they have the full product ...

As does the Upgrade versions. There is *no* difference between
the two except for the installation routine and what it accepts
as qualification to install.

... and the user has everything
and does not have to deal with having a certain cd to prove
upgrade
worth.

That's true. But "having a certain cd to prove upgrade worth" is
hardly a severe restriction. If you do a clean installation with
an Upgrade CD, it asks for the previous version's CD, you insert
it, and all proceeds normally. It's very easy, and I wouldn't pay
the substantial increment in price for the Full version to avoid
it.

 

[Dan]

Thanks for clearing that up, Alias and I use full retail copies of Microsoft
operating systems. I appreciate your honesty in this matter. Have a great
day!

:
: : | Actually, I like the full versions of Microsoft's operating systems best
: | because they have the full product and the user has everything and does
: not
: | have to deal with having a certain cd to prove upgrade worth. I have the
: | full retail version of 98SE as well as about two other copies of 98SE and
: one
: | full XP PRO. version that is installed on this computer in a customized
: | dual-boot configuration of 98SE and XP PRO. and although they are the
most
: | expensive, I can usually cut costs by buying it at Best Buy with dollars
: | earned from reward programs and also using their 10% off coupons.
Perhaps
: | Alias does have some valid points in some of his rhetoric even though I
do
: | not entirely agree with him and I for one do not use pirated software
: because
: | it is against my conscience but I will not judge others for their actions
: and
: | I will leave that to themselves and their conscience. Have a nice day!
:
: I don't use pirated software. I do use OEM XPs and do not buy hardware when
: I buy them.
: |
: | : | : Im trying to install my PC but ive lost the C.D. The product code is
: still
: | : attached to the PC so i presume i can legally borrow a cd from a friend
: and
: | : install, but to do that i would need to know which version of the cd it
: was
: | : and i cant remember if it was including service pack 1 etc. Is there a
: way
: | : to tell from the product key?
: | :
: | : Many Thanks
:
: I don't know, sorry.
: --
: Alias
:
: Use the Reply to Sender feature of your news reader program to email me.
: Utiliza Responder al Remitente para mandarme un mail.
:
:

 

[Dan]

Thank you Ken. I did not know that upgrade versions were full versions. I
appreciate your feedback.

: In : Dan <[email protected]> typed:
:
: > Actually, I like the full versions of Microsoft's operating
: > systems
: > best because they have the full product ...
:
:
: As does the Upgrade versions. There is *no* difference between
: the two except for the installation routine and what it accepts
: as qualification to install.
:
:
: > ... and the user has everything
: > and does not have to deal with having a certain cd to prove
: > upgrade
: > worth.
:
:
: That's true. But "having a certain cd to prove upgrade worth" is
: hardly a severe restriction. If you do a clean installation with
: an Upgrade CD, it asks for the previous version's CD, you insert
: it, and all proceeds normally. It's very easy, and I wouldn't pay
: the substantial increment in price for the Full version to avoid
: it.
:
: --
: Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
: Please reply to the newsgroup
:
:

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Thank you Ken. I did not know that upgrade versions were full
versions. I appreciate your feedback.

You're welcome, Dan. Glad to help.

 

[Dan]

Thanks for telling me that you use OEM copies and do not steal software.
That means a lot to me. <small somewhat-nervous smile>

:
: : | Actually, I like the full versions of Microsoft's operating systems best
: | because they have the full product and the user has everything and does
: not
: | have to deal with having a certain cd to prove upgrade worth. I have the
: | full retail version of 98SE as well as about two other copies of 98SE and
: one
: | full XP PRO. version that is installed on this computer in a customized
: | dual-boot configuration of 98SE and XP PRO. and although they are the
most
: | expensive, I can usually cut costs by buying it at Best Buy with dollars
: | earned from reward programs and also using their 10% off coupons.
Perhaps
: | Alias does have some valid points in some of his rhetoric even though I
do
: | not entirely agree with him and I for one do not use pirated software
: because
: | it is against my conscience but I will not judge others for their actions
: and
: | I will leave that to themselves and their conscience. Have a nice day!
:
: I don't use pirated software. I do use OEM XPs and do not buy hardware when
: I buy them.
: |
: | : | : Im trying to install my PC but ive lost the C.D. The product code is
: still
: | : attached to the PC so i presume i can legally borrow a cd from a friend
: and
: | : install, but to do that i would need to know which version of the cd it
: was
: | : and i cant remember if it was including service pack 1 etc. Is there a
: way
: | : to tell from the product key?
: | :
: | : Many Thanks
:
: I don't know, sorry.
: --
: Alias
:
: Use the Reply to Sender feature of your news reader program to email me.
: Utiliza Responder al Remitente para mandarme un mail.
:
: