I have just got a new hard disc. I can ghost my current XP image to it, but I fancy doing a fresh install. I can get hold of some XP discs, but is it possible to activate a fresh install from a random set of XP discs with my OEM licence number?
XP reinstall with OEM licence?
Miscellaneous Forums/General Discussion/XP reinstall with OEM licence? Should be. You'll probably have to phone Microsoft and explain the new hard drive, but you have plenty of time to activate it anyway.
I used a license key from a Tiny laptop that knackered on a newly built desktop years ago... I phoned Microsoft, explained and they were okay!
Dabz
Dabz
OK thanks chaps... indications are positive, then.
What's WindowsUE, xmlspy? I tried the website, but between it being in Spanish and the page continually stalling, I couldn't get enough info.
What's WindowsUE, xmlspy? I tried the website, but between it being in Spanish and the page continually stalling, I couldn't get enough info.
UE is the version of Windows that kicks a..
English forums:
http://www.windowsue.com/index.php?showforum=59
English forums:
http://www.windowsue.com/index.php?showforum=59
Ah thanks for that... think I will give it a try.
I have just got a new hard disc. I can ghost my current XP image to it, but I fancy doing a fresh install. I can get hold of some XP discs, but is it possible to activate a fresh install from a random set of XP discs with my OEM licence number?
One potential catch is that there's different releases of XP, and you can only install if the media is the same release as as your windows key -- so if you have an OEM key, you'll need OEM media. If you have a retail key you'll need retail media, and with a volume license key you'll need volume license media.
If you get past the install, you should be able to activate over the phone using your existing license key.
I have this exact problem. I've got a PC sitting here which someone "just wants wiping and reinstalling because we tried and it asked for a password after we installed [a pirate XP MCE edition of] Windows and we don't think it should really do that, should it?".
So, I've now got to spend half a sodding day installing Windows, updates, drivers etc whilst it's a beautiful day outside and my mountain bike isn't going to ride itself. Balls.
So, I've now got to spend half a sodding day installing Windows, updates, drivers etc whilst it's a beautiful day outside and my mountain bike isn't going to ride itself. Balls.
MS has always been great when I need to call them to reactivate. But as stated, finding the proper disc to match the key can be a pain.
Nomen, you can use a different CD set, but in your case it must be an OEM version of XP. OEM keys don't work with retail CD sets or volume license versions.
For legal reasons, you must also make sure that it is the same language version of XP that you originally used. You would also not be allowed to install a multi-lingual version of XP unless you own a license vor that. And probably it would require yet another CD key than the other versions.
If your last activation was more than 30 days ago, the new activation should work over the Internet without having to give Microsoft a phone call.
For legal reasons, you must also make sure that it is the same language version of XP that you originally used. You would also not be allowed to install a multi-lingual version of XP unless you own a license vor that. And probably it would require yet another CD key than the other versions.
If your last activation was more than 30 days ago, the new activation should work over the Internet without having to give Microsoft a phone call.
Ok thanks for the info. The MS guy on the phone pretty much said I have to go back to the supplier. However, I think I can lay my hands on an OEM XP and I'll try registering it with my existing license key.