XP Pro install/key question

[TreeStump]

All:

I am building a new PC. In hand, I have a full, legitimate retail copy
of XP Pro. I want to put XP Pro on the new box, and will buy a legit
license for it as well.

Here's my question. I was prepared to purchase a full, legit retail
copy of XPPro to install on this new box, but that fell through, but
I'll still need to build the PC this weekend. Can I go ahead and
install XP Pro from my existing, legit CD, then just change its
product key prior to activation to the one from the new copy I buy?

If it will work, can I use an OEM full version product key, or will it
have to be a retail full version product key?

Thanks,
TreeStump

 

[Guest]

You should wait until you have the license to install XP on the second machine.

 

[Guest]

Hi,

This will work but it is not a cosure way to install Windows

The answers to your question yes it will install and if you do not activate the product within 30 days the machine will go into reduced functionality.

Secondly if you did not purchase your 2nd copy of XP with the new key you will not be able to activate windows.

Another avenue to explore is contacting your local MS Sub and speak to a customer service agent and you should be able to buy an XP licencse from a MS reseller thus you have one cd but 2 licenses.

Regards,

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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 CDs cannot be mixed & matched. You
have to have the specific type of installation CD for which that
license and Product Key was designed.


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

 

[TreeStump]

Bruce:

Thanks for the clarification. After I posted that message and did a
bit more research on my own, it became clear that what I was asking
about would not work (OEM key on retail install).

Its all good, however, because I have obtained a full retail copy of
XPPro, so I no longer am concerned about the OEM key issue; I'll have
a retail key to use.

Thanks for the info.

-TS