Windows Licenses

[Guest]

I have a pre-installed XP Home (without installation CD) machine and an XP
Pro machine (with the installation CD). If my XP home machine dies and
requires a re-install, am I able to use my XP Pro CD and just put in the key
from my XP Home box (the key is on the holographic label)?
Thanks
James

 

[chrispsg]

No...that would be a violation of the EULA....

"Installation and use. You may install, use, access, display and run
one copy of the Product on a single computer, such as a workstation,
terminal or other device ("Workstation Computer")."

The entire EULA can be found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/eula.mspx

psg

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I have a pre-installed XP Home (without installation CD) machine and
an XP Pro machine (with the installation CD). If my XP home machine
dies and requires a re-install, am I able to use my XP Pro CD and
just put in the key from my XP Home box (the key is on the
holographic label)?
Thanks
James

No, needs to be exact versions for the PK to work.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[BIN WU]

No, you can't.

 

[BIN WU]

Here is a link may help you.
http://mmpafaq.microscum.com/

 

[Guest]

The preinstalled OEM Windows XP license is bound to the
specific computer it was shipped with. If your computer
dies, so does the license. You could no longer use that
particular Product Key, certainly not with XP Pro.

 

[Ron Martell]

I have a pre-installed XP Home (without installation CD) machine and an XP
Pro machine (with the installation CD). If my XP home machine dies and
requires a re-install, am I able to use my XP Pro CD and just put in the key
from my XP Home box (the key is on the holographic label)?
Thanks
James

The manufacturer of your XP Home machine was required, as a condition
of their license from Microsoft to sell the OEM versions of Windows,
to provide *a method* by which the operating system could be
reinstalled, thereby returning the machine to the "as it left the
factory" condition.

There is some flexibility as to just how the reinstall is
accomplished. Common methods include:
- A Windows XP installation CD
- A "system recovery" CD or CDs, containing a disk image file of the
installed Windows as it was when new.
- A hidden "system recovery" partition on the hard drive containing
the disk image.

If you do not have anything of this sort then your recourse is to
contact the vendor and request that they provide you with this
capability.

But you are out of luck insofar as using the XP Home product key with
the XP Pro install CD. Product Keys for Windows are specifically
coded to the Edition (Home, Pro, Tablet, MediaCenter), Version (OEM,
Retail Upgrade, Retail Full Install, Volume License) and Language; and
will not work except with a CD that is the same in all of these
factors.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a pre-installed XP Home (without installation CD) machine and an XP
Pro machine (with the installation CD). If my XP home machine dies and
requires a re-install, am I able to use my XP Pro CD and just put in the key
from my XP Home box (the key is on the holographic label)?
Thanks
James

You're correct in thinking that it's the Product Key that represents
the license, but your proposed repair/reinstallation method won't work.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any
retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice
versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD,
and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail
product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD.
Bottom line: Product Keys and CD/license types cannot be mixed & matched.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Here is a link may help you.
http://mmpafaq.microscum.com/

How could that link possibly help? The OP was asking a technical
question, not if anyone thought it was OK to violate EULAs and ignore
copyright law.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Guest]

here's an alternate sugestion, there are plenty of people out there that have
xp cds just sitting around, if you ever need to reformat then borrow one from
them, microsoft wont mind (Y)