Installing Windows...

[AMDXP]

Ok I have a laptop that came with windows XP, but I have another copy of XP that I baught with a license installed on another computer..

Can I install the XP CD on the laptop to remove all of the pre-installed junk and just use the OEM key found at the bottom of the laptop? To re-register it or w/e?

[leSLIe]

what laptop do u have?
hmm... i believe that OEM key will not work to install teh WinXP again. :(

[lAciDl]

is the cd for the other pc a regular OEM disk or is a recovery disk? if its a regular OEM disk ( orange hologram with no manufacturer label then yes. the only specific OEM disk we use at the office is Dell, all the other oems work fine with the regular disks.

[leSLIe]

there are several threads about this

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1245196
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1243786&highlight=decrapifier

[duby229]

My understanding is that it doesnt matter what disk you use as long as it is an generic OEM disk. I have no idea how to tell which is which though. Bbut as long as you have an OEM disk that is the --same-- version as your key it should work. Same version being OEM XP Pro SP2 key with a matching OEM disk...

I dont know if that makes any sense written down, but it makes sense in my head.

[AMDXP]

It's fairly old, see it didn't come with actual restore disc, only some ghost copy. My mom got it for me at a trade show about 2 years ago.. horrible laptop. Never will do it again.

Just wondering if I could throw XP on there, then use the key on the bottom?

This won't screw up any drivers will it?

[duby229]

It's fairly old, see it didn't come with actual restore disc, only some ghost copy. My mom got it for me at a trade show about 2 years ago.. horrible laptop. Never will do it again.

Just wondering if I could throw XP on there, then use the key on the bottom?

This won't screw up any drivers will it?

It should work as long as the key is the same version as the disk you have. e.g if the disk is a OEM XP Pro SP2 disk then the key needs to be a OEM XP Pro SP2 key.

[bbz_Ghost]

If the COA has a brand name on it (Gateway, HP, Compaq, Dell, etc) then it is BRANDED to that and only that brand of OEM installer disc. Grabbing a generic non-assigned OEM System Builder copy will not work with the key on the COA sticker.

OEM copies are one of two things:

They are branded, like Gateway, HP, Compaq, Dell, etc.

Or they are generic non-branded non-assigned copies - the kind anyone can purchase from Newegg, Fry's, and a few other retailers. Those are the OEM System Builder versions meant for use by small repair shops and computer builders.

You can't use a branded OEM installer CD with anything but that branded OEM sticker - the key on the sticker is meaningless and is just there as basically a placeholder. Branded OEM installations don't use that key; they have a key embedded in the OEMBIOS.BIN file.

Don't believe me? Ok, find an OEM box from Gateway, HP, etc. Use the Magical Jellybean Keyfinder to find the actual key in use in the XP installation (or Vista, doesn't matter) and it will not match the one on the COA sticker. Now, use the Keyfinder to change the key already in use to the one on the sticker and try to hit Windows Update. You'll get errors because the key on the sticker is invalid, and therefore isn't of any use to anyone.

Sometimes on rare occasions you'll actual get a valid installation using a mixmatch of branded OEM keys and non-branded OEM installer CDs, but it's a very rare thing when it happens and it usually only happens once per key.

The key on the COA sticker is really there just for show, especially on branded OEM hardware.

[TechieSooner]

I would say yes.

I'll just tell you why I know...

I only keep a few copies of Dell's XP disks around. They are all the same, only need to keep a few handy.
When I install (or re-install) a system, I just use the key on the sticker. Simple as that.

However I have also used a Dell XP disk on a Compaq laptop and it worked just fine (using the Compaq's key).

Of course both may require calling Microsoft being OEM and all but just tell them it was just reinstall on the same machine it was on before.

I'd say more often than not it will work. Even if the key is embedded into the install, the bottom line is that you still own two copies of XP.
I believe if the key does not "validate" you have the option of changing it... I also believe there are ways of manually changing the key as well.

[bbz_Ghost]

I know it seems pointless to say this, but if you own a PC repair shop and you ever get caught using a branded OEM disc to install Windows on another machine even if that other machine has a COA on it, you're gonna get into some deep shit. Typically getting caught isn't a problem, but if it happens, say goodbye to your business license and your way of living.

"And that's all I have to say about that..."

[leSLIe]

Typically getting caught isn't a problem, but if it happens, say goodbye to your business license and your way of living.

yep, unless u live in China or other cool place :D:p

[TechieSooner]

Really? I'm not super familiar with the OEM licensing... I was questioning that myself and had an inkling ;)

[AMDXP]

So in general, I should just try it?

If not, I'll just re-install the damn ghost copy restore disc from e-machine.

[TechieSooner]

If all your data is backed up and you have an alternate method of installing should it not work... I'd just try it.

[AMDXP]

Alright, I'll try it this coming weekend.

Wish me luck.

I'll need it..