Want to use different product key.

[OscarVogel]

Is there a way for me to:
First: Install XP Pro on a computer without activating it.
Then: After using it for a week, change the product key, and THEN activate
XP using the new product key?


Here why:
I've replaced the hard drive on a user's Compaq notebook.
We don't have the Compaq recovery CD, so I've ordered it from HP.
The replacement recovery CD will arrive latter this week, but the user would
like to use is notebook ASAP.
So I want to install XP using another CD so that I can give him his notebook
computer.
Then when the recover CD arrives latter this week, I want to somehow use
that new product key so that I can activate XP.

 

[db]

http://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&q=change+product+keys

- db

Is there a way for me to:
First: Install XP Pro on a computer without activating it.
Then: After using it for a week, change the product key, and THEN activate
XP using the new product key?


Here why:
I've replaced the hard drive on a user's Compaq notebook.
We don't have the Compaq recovery CD, so I've ordered it from HP.
The replacement recovery CD will arrive latter this week, but the user would
like to use is notebook ASAP.
So I want to install XP using another CD so that I can give him his notebook
computer.
Then when the recover CD arrives latter this week, I want to somehow use
that new product key so that I can activate XP.

 

[DanS]

Is there a way for me to:
First: Install XP Pro on a computer without activating it.
Then: After using it for a week, change the product key, and THEN
activate XP using the new product key?


Here why:
I've replaced the hard drive on a user's Compaq notebook.
We don't have the Compaq recovery CD, so I've ordered it from HP.
The replacement recovery CD will arrive latter this week, but the user
would like to use is notebook ASAP.
So I want to install XP using another CD so that I can give him his
notebook computer.
Then when the recover CD arrives latter this week, I want to somehow
use that new product key so that I can activate XP.

What's wrong with the product key on the sticker ?

(I'd surely want to install a generic OEM version over ANY BigOEM 'System
Restore'.)

 

[Malke]

Is there a way for me to:
First: Install XP Pro on a computer without activating it.
Then: After using it for a week, change the product key, and THEN
activate XP using the new product key?


Here why:
I've replaced the hard drive on a user's Compaq notebook.
We don't have the Compaq recovery CD, so I've ordered it from HP.
The replacement recovery CD will arrive latter this week, but the user
would like to use is notebook ASAP.
So I want to install XP using another CD so that I can give him his
notebook computer.
Then when the recover CD arrives latter this week, I want to somehow use
that new product key so that I can activate XP.

You don't need to do that. Use a generic (or branded Compaq/HP if you
have one) OEM install disk and use the Product Key that is on the
computer's sticker. You will need to call in activation but other than
that there will be no problem.


Malke

 

[OscarVogel]

The product key on the sticker didn't work. When I tried it, XP said it was
not valid. Could that be because I used an upgrade version of XP?

 

[Malke]

The product key on the sticker didn't work. When I tried it, XP said it
was not valid. Could that be because I used an upgrade version of XP?

Yes. As I said in my last post, the version of the XP install cd you use
must match the one on the computer. So if your client has a Compaq, you
need either a generic OEM XP [Home, Pro, MCE] or a branded HP OEM
install disk (not recovery disk). Then the Product Key on the sticker
will work and you will need to call MS to activate.


Malke