Wix XP CD KEY - dumb question :)

Question

A co-worker has a laptop with XP pre-installed on it, but was never given the CD. I am sure we can find the CD Key, but then....(dumb question appears)....Can we reformat and reinstall with any XP CD, as long as we have the his key? Or is the install related to a CD Key that is specific to that CD? TIA ---curtz

GreyMack · Answer

There are some variations by CD and license key type, but not specific to each individual CD. Not every XP CD/key combination will allow activation, but any XP CD/key combination of the appropriate types should work.

XP CD/key types vary by Home/Pro versions and retail/OEM versions. The Dell OEM XP CD is further restricted by software to prevent installation on a non-Dell PC.

GM

curtz · Answer

Thanks for the info.

What I am looking for, though, is a non-Dell laptop with no original CD given.

We can recover the key (I think) but then would need the CD media to reinstall.
The quetion is, would a copy of XP Pro work if he had XP pro before and used his original key?

TIA

---curtz

simpswr · Answer

The Product Key is on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop . . You can use any Dell installation CD to reinstall as long as it is the same gender . . Home or Professional versions

curtz · Answer

Aha..thanks :) That is a good answer! Thank you. ---curtz

Denny Denham · Answer

curtz,

You may be able to use the coworker's Product Key to activate the system. You must use the product key of the CD being used to install XP on the system in order to get XP on the computer. Once it is isntalled, try the procedures here to activate it with the original key.

curtz · Answer

Thanks...I wasn't sure about that! Hmmm...it would have been so much easier if they had just given him the CD :) Much appreciated DD and all who replied!

Windows General

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