Windows XP License

G

Guest

Hi,

I have recently purchased a pre-built machine with Windows XP Home Edition
loaded onto the hard drive. I have a license key for the OS but have not been
supplied with the original XP Software on CD.

My question regards system restoration, if I wish to re-build my machine can
I use a friends copy of Windows XP to install the software but use my own
license key during installation?

Many Thanks in advance

Andrew
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

No. You can only use your Product Key
with the computer manufacturer's recommended
restore method...contact them for assistance.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| Hi,
|
| I have recently purchased a pre-built machine with Windows XP Home Edition
| loaded onto the hard drive. I have a license key for the OS but have not been
| supplied with the original XP Software on CD.
|
| My question regards system restoration, if I wish to re-build my machine can
| I use a friends copy of Windows XP to install the software but use my own
| license key during installation?
|
| Many Thanks in advance
|
| Andrew
 
P

Plato

=?Utf-8?B?QW5keSBE?= said:
I have recently purchased a pre-built machine with Windows XP Home Edition
loaded onto the hard drive. I have a license key for the OS but have not been
supplied with the original XP Software on CD.
Click to expand...

One should always have the CD for the OS you want to continue to use at
hand. Get one.
 
G

Guest

Many Thanks for the response I thought this would be the case.

The company has since gone bust and there is no restore CD, only a drivers
disk.

Although I have found that it may be possible to create my own restore CD
simply by copying the i386 installation folder onto CD and running winnt
setup.
 
A

ANONYMOUS

There are people who have managed to borrow CDs from friends and
relatives and managed to rebuid their systems. So if you are not
concerned about legallity or morallity then you can do it.

You need to be sure that the CD is compatible to your installation.
there are many types of XPs:

1) Volume Licensed
2) Retail Version
3) OEM from big brands e.g. DELL, HP, etc
4) Generic OEM from stores and other small computer manufacturers
5) Pirated copies
6) etc etc
7) etc etc
8) etc etc
9) MS confusion technology to make more money

Hope this helps.
 
S

Steve N.

Plato said:
Why does that always seem to be the case?
Click to expand...

I guess the big savings they got by jyping out their customers of a real
XP OEM CD didn't help.

Steve N.
 
S

Steve N.

Andy said:
Many Thanks for the response I thought this would be the case.

The company has since gone bust and there is no restore CD, only a drivers
disk.

Although I have found that it may be possible to create my own restore CD
simply by copying the i386 installation folder onto CD and running winnt
setup.
Click to expand...

You have three options.

As Carey would say, buy a "Full Retail" XP Home cd.

Buy a Generic XP Home CD.

Borrow your friend's CD and hope it works.

Steve
 
S

Steve N.

ANONYMOUS said:
There are people who have managed to borrow CDs from friends and
relatives and managed to rebuid their systems. So if you are not
concerned about legallity or morallity then you can do it.
Click to expand...

LOL! Don't forget we're dealing with an operating system from a
corporation that has been proven in court to be legally and morally
reprehensible. Oh my GOD, don't steal from the crooks! It isn't stealing
anyway. It's trying to get back to what you PAID for; a functional
operating system. What in Heaven's Name is immoral about seeking to get
what you are rightfully entitled to?

I tend to nearly despise the oft moronic car=computer analogies almost
rampant in this group, but try this one on for size:

You buy a car. Under the Service Agreement with the dealer you are
required to have the car serviced by the dealer or an authorized
representative. Your car breaks down early Saturday morning and you have
to be at work for the graveyard shift Saturday night. The dealer's
garage is closed for the weekend. There is no public transportation
available and no taxi service in your area. Your relatives are out of
town but you've got a friend who happens to be a mechanic who can help
you (he can't give you a ride to work at midnite because he's gotta work
swing-shift), but you've gotta get the replacement part you need from an
"unauthorized" source and have it installed by an "unauthorized"
mechanic. What would you do?

Steve N.
 
U

Uncle Joe

Steve N. said:
LOL! Don't forget we're dealing with an operating system from a corporation that has been proven in court to
be legally and morally reprehensible. Oh my GOD, don't steal from the crooks! It isn't stealing anyway. It's
trying to get back to what you PAID for; a functional operating system. What in Heaven's Name is immoral
about seeking to get what you are rightfully entitled to?

I tend to nearly despise the oft moronic car=computer analogies almost rampant in this group, but try this
one on for size:

You buy a car. Under the Service Agreement with the dealer you are required to have the car serviced by the
dealer or an authorized representative. Your car breaks down early Saturday morning and you have to be at
work for the graveyard shift Saturday night. The dealer's garage is closed for the weekend. There is no
public transportation available and no taxi service in your area. Your relatives are out of town but you've
got a friend who happens to be a mechanic who can help you (he can't give you a ride to work at midnite
because he's gotta work swing-shift), but you've gotta get the replacement part you need from an
"unauthorized" source and have it installed by an "unauthorized" mechanic. What would you do?

Steve N.
Click to expand...

Steal your car. (Smile.)
 
A

ANONYMOUS

I must have touched a raw nerve of this scumbag. Tough luck! Life is
too short to bother with such people!
 
P

Plato

Steve said:
LOL! Don't forget we're dealing with an operating system from a
corporation that has been proven in court to be legally and morally
reprehensible. Oh my GOD, don't steal from the crooks! It isn't stealing
Click to expand...

Background: As you may know, I'm not here to compete in a popularity
contest nor do I hold back any negative opinions I often have of certain
MS products. I am not a part of any MS fan club.

HOWEVER...........

I am glad that Mr. Gates is an American, and MS is an American company.
His company is a benefit to the American economy and all the American
investors in their stock spend much of their profits locally, thus
benefitting the economy more.
 
A

Alias

Steve said:
If I already own the car then how on earth can I "steal" it?

Bzzzzt!

Next...

Steve N.
Click to expand...

By reporting it stolen and collecting the insurance and then selling it
in Mexico?

Alias
 
J

Jim D. Joseph

Hi everyone, as an after thought, all one has to do is call customer
support, inform them you had preformed a re-install do to i.e. a critical
stop error for example and they are more then happy to re-issue you a new
product activation code. now the only problem i have run into is when you
are preforming windows updates is the with the automated product
validation, to authorize my updates. but there is a link out there somewhere
i imagine for a work around. hope you all had a good holiday

Jim D. Joseph, Nevada Net
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

Convert XP X64 Pro License to XP 32bit Pro License? (Dell Precision470) 3
XP License (Transfering) 27
PC w/ XP was Stolen, stil have Install CD w/ Key#. Can I still use 9
XP x32 and x64 license question 2
Windows XP instalation and serial key 8
downgrade license 7 to XP 7
Lost XP Home SP2 OEM License Key 4
Reinstall same OS but different language - impact on license ? 1

Top