Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

July 11, 2008

Hi All, This is my first Question/s ever, so be nice to a first timer. please.

This is my story. I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on it.

Acer Veriton 5500. I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want any

virus's, etc. I didn't understand to much about Re-Installing, Activation's.

So I bought another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I’ve installed

it & its all working great (much better than my Win98).

But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do this.

I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer to

re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb in this

area).

Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on the

computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be used

limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original Product Key

on the side of the Acer Computer.

Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that I

have on this computer now on another computer(that’s not been not working for

6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

If you say that I "can't" use my newly bought WinXp Home CD on the other

computer. If the reason be because it's locked to the Acer 5500 computer now

& can't be De-activated. What about in the other newsgroups some people seem

to say something about "if I don't activate for 120 days" I can use the

Product Key again, etc. Please explain the 120 days without activation. Would

it work for me?

I believe I've stuffed up. Is there any way out of this. I don't think I'm

doing anything illegal - I have the original product key on the Acer

computer. I've paid for the right to use the WinXp Home Cd I bought. Please

guide me on the right path.

Peter.

July 11, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

Okay, I think I understand your questions:

If you have NOT yet activated the new XP version with Microsoft, for

all intent and purposes Microsoft is not aware of your installation.

The activation process when completed, associates the 25 character

product key that YOU ENTERED AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION, with several

hardware identities, and the resultant hash is stored in Microsoft's

database.

If you want to go back to the old Product Key that is stuck to the

case of the computer, you will have to reinstall XP again, this time

enter the old product key on the case so that the hash generated will

be based on the old product key.

Any subsequent reinstall of the same product key will attempt to

associate the hardware identities to generate the same hash as is

stored in their database. If there is a mismatch, it would indicate

that some/all of the components have been changed, therefore the

reactivation MIGHT NOT be allowed, as it could be concluded that an

attempt is being made to install it on another computer which violates

the purchase agreement.

Note that I said "might not be allowed" as the process is designed to

allow some changes to occur as replacing / adding components (ex: disk

drives, network cards etc.) is quite common. Should a legal automated

activation process fail, you can still call Microsoft to plead your

case.

Hope this helps

Peter wrote:

> Hi All, This is my first Question/s ever, so be nice to a first timer. please.

>

> This is my story. I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on it.

> Acer Veriton 5500. I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want any

> virus's, etc. I didn't understand to much about Re-Installing, Activation's.

> So I bought another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I’ve installed

> it & its all working great (much better than my Win98).

>

> But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do this.

> I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer to

> re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb in this

> area).

>

> Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on the

> computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

>

> I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be used

> limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

>

> Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original Product Key

> on the side of the Acer Computer.

>

> Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that I

> have on this computer now on another computer(that’s not been not working for

> 6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

>

> If you say that I "can't" use my newly bought WinXp Home CD on the other

> computer. If the reason be because it's locked to the Acer 5500 computer now

> & can't be De-activated. What about in the other newsgroups some people seem

> to say something about "if I don't activate for 120 days" I can use the

> Product Key again, etc. Please explain the 120 days without activation. Would

> it work for me?

>

> I believe I've stuffed up. Is there any way out of this. I don't think I'm

> doing anything illegal - I have the original product key on the Acer

> computer. I've paid for the right to use the WinXp Home Cd I bought. Please

> guide me on the right path.

>

> Peter.

July 11, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

Hi Duke, Thanks for your speedy reply.

I can see now I've asked to many questions at once.

I have activated the New WinXP Home & am using it now. At that time I didn't

know about the Original Product Key on the side of my computer. I have learnt

alot since then. Looks like I've learnt the hard way.

Peter.

"duke" wrote:

> Okay, I think I understand your questions:

>

> If you have NOT yet activated the new XP version with Microsoft, for

> all intent and purposes Microsoft is not aware of your installation.

> The activation process when completed, associates the 25 character

> product key that YOU ENTERED AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION, with several

> hardware identities, and the resultant hash is stored in Microsoft's

> database.

> If you want to go back to the old Product Key that is stuck to the

> case of the computer, you will have to reinstall XP again, this time

> enter the old product key on the case so that the hash generated will

> be based on the old product key.

>

> Any subsequent reinstall of the same product key will attempt to

> associate the hardware identities to generate the same hash as is

> stored in their database. If there is a mismatch, it would indicate

> that some/all of the components have been changed, therefore the

> reactivation MIGHT NOT be allowed, as it could be concluded that an

> attempt is being made to install it on another computer which violates

> the purchase agreement.

> Note that I said "might not be allowed" as the process is designed to

> allow some changes to occur as replacing / adding components (ex: disk

> drives, network cards etc.) is quite common. Should a legal automated

> activation process fail, you can still call Microsoft to plead your

> case.

>

> Hope this helps

>

> Peter wrote:

> > Hi All, This is my first Question/s ever, so be nice to a first timer. please.

> >

> > This is my story. I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on it.

> > Acer Veriton 5500. I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want any

> > virus's, etc. I didn't understand to much about Re-Installing, Activation's.

> > So I bought another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I’ve installed

> > it & its all working great (much better than my Win98).

> >

> > But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do this.

> > I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer to

> > re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb in this

> > area).

> >

> > Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on the

> > computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

> >

> > I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be used

> > limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

> >

> > Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original Product Key

> > on the side of the Acer Computer.

> >

> > Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that I

> > have on this computer now on another computer(that’s not been not working for

> > 6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

> >

> > If you say that I "can't" use my newly bought WinXp Home CD on the other

> > computer. If the reason be because it's locked to the Acer 5500 computer now

> > & can't be De-activated. What about in the other newsgroups some people seem

> > to say something about "if I don't activate for 120 days" I can use the

> > Product Key again, etc. Please explain the 120 days without activation. Would

> > it work for me?

> >

> > I believe I've stuffed up. Is there any way out of this. I don't think I'm

> > doing anything illegal - I have the original product key on the Acer

> > computer. I've paid for the right to use the WinXp Home Cd I bought. Please

> > guide me on the right path.

> >

> > Peter.

>

July 11, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

Hi Duke, Before I remove the New WinXP Home I installed & validated. I need

to make sure the Original Product Key will work that was is on the side on

the computer. Else I may dig a bigger hole to bury myself in the saga of my

ignorance. :( Thanks Peter.

"duke" wrote:

> Okay, I think I understand your questions:

>

> If you have NOT yet activated the new XP version with Microsoft, for

> all intent and purposes Microsoft is not aware of your installation.

> The activation process when completed, associates the 25 character

> product key that YOU ENTERED AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION, with several

> hardware identities, and the resultant hash is stored in Microsoft's

> database.

> If you want to go back to the old Product Key that is stuck to the

> case of the computer, you will have to reinstall XP again, this time

> enter the old product key on the case so that the hash generated will

> be based on the old product key.

>

> Any subsequent reinstall of the same product key will attempt to

> associate the hardware identities to generate the same hash as is

> stored in their database. If there is a mismatch, it would indicate

> that some/all of the components have been changed, therefore the

> reactivation MIGHT NOT be allowed, as it could be concluded that an

> attempt is being made to install it on another computer which violates

> the purchase agreement.

> Note that I said "might not be allowed" as the process is designed to

> allow some changes to occur as replacing / adding components (ex: disk

> drives, network cards etc.) is quite common. Should a legal automated

> activation process fail, you can still call Microsoft to plead your

> case.

>

> Hope this helps

>

> Peter wrote:

> > Hi All, This is my first Question/s ever, so be nice to a first timer. please.

> >

> > This is my story. I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on it.

> > Acer Veriton 5500. I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want any

> > virus's, etc. I didn't understand to much about Re-Installing, Activation's.

> > So I bought another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I’ve installed

> > it & its all working great (much better than my Win98).

> >

> > But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do this.

> > I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer to

> > re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb in this

> > area).

> >

> > Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on the

> > computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

> >

> > I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be used

> > limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

> >

> > Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original Product Key

> > on the side of the Acer Computer.

> >

> > Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that I

> > have on this computer now on another computer(that’s not been not working for

> > 6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

> >

> > If you say that I "can't" use my newly bought WinXp Home CD on the other

> > computer. If the reason be because it's locked to the Acer 5500 computer now

> > & can't be De-activated. What about in the other newsgroups some people seem

> > to say something about "if I don't activate for 120 days" I can use the

> > Product Key again, etc. Please explain the 120 days without activation. Would

> > it work for me?

> >

> > I believe I've stuffed up. Is there any way out of this. I don't think I'm

> > doing anything illegal - I have the original product key on the Acer

> > computer. I've paid for the right to use the WinXp Home Cd I bought. Please

> > guide me on the right path.

> >

> > Peter.

>

July 11, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

"Peter" <Peter@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:F271829A-D80C-473D-9DFF-4720D0A083DD@microsoft.com...

> Hi All, This is my first Question/s ever, so be nice to a first timer.

> please.

>

> This is my story. I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on it.

> Acer Veriton 5500. I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want any

> virus's, etc. I didn't understand to much about Re-Installing,

> Activation's.

> So I bought another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I've

> installed

> it & its all working great (much better than my Win98).

>

> But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do

> this.

> I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer to

> re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb in

> this

> area).

>

> Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on the

> computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

>

> I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be used

> limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

>

> Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original Product

> Key

> on the side of the Acer Computer.

>

> Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that I

> have on this computer now on another computer(that's not been not working

> for

> 6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

>

> If you say that I "can't" use my newly bought WinXp Home CD on the other

> computer. If the reason be because it's locked to the Acer 5500 computer

> now

> & can't be De-activated. What about in the other newsgroups some people

> seem

> to say something about "if I don't activate for 120 days" I can use the

> Product Key again, etc. Please explain the 120 days without activation.

> Would

> it work for me?

>

> I believe I've stuffed up. Is there any way out of this. I don't think I'm

> doing anything illegal - I have the original product key on the Acer

> computer. I've paid for the right to use the WinXp Home Cd I bought.

> Please

> guide me on the right path.

>

In similar circumstances I have carried out the following successfully.

First I changed the CD Key I had used on one PC to another (still valid) key

using a small free utility called Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder which I got

from http://www.magicaljellybean.com . This avoided the problem of having

to reinstall Windows from scratch. I then installed my OEM version onto

another PC and it activated with no problems. I have read on another group

that when you purchase an OEM disk you effectively become the manufacturer

and it is your decision as to when the PC becomes a different PC. Mine was

still the original PC case with everything inside replaced and I decided

that this constituted an upgrade to the original machine. I would stress

that, like you, I had paid for and had the legal title to both CD Keys but

needed to move them around. I suggest you give it a try and see what

happens.

--

Keith W

Sunbury on Thames

(If you can't laugh at life, it ain't worth living)

July 11, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

Hi Keith, I'm wondering were any of your Xp versions validated before you did

the change over. Thanks, Peter.

"Keith W" wrote:

>

> "Peter" <Peter@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:F271829A-D80C-473D-9DFF-4720D0A083DD@microsoft.com...

> > Hi All, This is my first Question/s ever, so be nice to a first timer.

> > please.

> >

> > This is my story. I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on it.

> > Acer Veriton 5500. I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want any

> > virus's, etc. I didn't understand to much about Re-Installing,

> > Activation's.

> > So I bought another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I've

> > installed

> > it & its all working great (much better than my Win98).

> >

> > But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do

> > this.

> > I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer to

> > re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb in

> > this

> > area).

> >

> > Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on the

> > computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

> >

> > I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be used

> > limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

> >

> > Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original Product

> > Key

> > on the side of the Acer Computer.

> >

> > Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that I

> > have on this computer now on another computer(that's not been not working

> > for

> > 6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

> >

> > If you say that I "can't" use my newly bought WinXp Home CD on the other

> > computer. If the reason be because it's locked to the Acer 5500 computer

> > now

> > & can't be De-activated. What about in the other newsgroups some people

> > seem

> > to say something about "if I don't activate for 120 days" I can use the

> > Product Key again, etc. Please explain the 120 days without activation.

> > Would

> > it work for me?

> >

> > I believe I've stuffed up. Is there any way out of this. I don't think I'm

> > doing anything illegal - I have the original product key on the Acer

> > computer. I've paid for the right to use the WinXp Home Cd I bought.

> > Please

> > guide me on the right path.

> >

>

> In similar circumstances I have carried out the following successfully.

>

> First I changed the CD Key I had used on one PC to another (still valid) key

> using a small free utility called Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder which I got

> from http://www.magicaljellybean.com . This avoided the problem of having

> to reinstall Windows from scratch. I then installed my OEM version onto

> another PC and it activated with no problems. I have read on another group

> that when you purchase an OEM disk you effectively become the manufacturer

> and it is your decision as to when the PC becomes a different PC. Mine was

> still the original PC case with everything inside replaced and I decided

> that this constituted an upgrade to the original machine. I would stress

> that, like you, I had paid for and had the legal title to both CD Keys but

> needed to move them around. I suggest you give it a try and see what

> happens.

> --

> Keith W

> Sunbury on Thames

> (If you can't laugh at life, it ain't worth living)

>

July 11, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

Peter wrote:

> Hi Duke, Thanks for your speedy reply.

>

> I can see now I've asked to many questions at once.

>

> I have activated the New WinXP Home & am using it now. At that time I

> didn't know about the Original Product Key on the side of my

> computer. I have learnt alot since then. Looks like I've learnt the

> hard way.

It is only "OEM" (original equipment manufacturer) flavors of XP that are

tied to a specific computer; therefore, you can use the "original product

key" and the install CD for it on your other computer as long as that

install CD is not OEM.

If both of your install CDs are OEM then I would call Microsoft, explain

your problem and see if they will let you install your recently purchased

XP-OEM on your old computer. I'm guessing they will since you have two

legal copies and messed up because of naivete. If they do, use your

original XP on the computer on which it was originally installed and your

new OEM XP on the other computer.

--

dadiOH

____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...

....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from

LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.

Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

July 11, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

On Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:55:00 -0700, Peter

<Peter@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> Hi All, This is my first Question/s ever, so be nice to a first timer. please.

>

> This is my story. I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on it.

> Acer Veriton 5500. I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want any

> virus's, etc.

Good. That's the best thing to do with a used computer.

> I didn't understand to much about Re-Installing, Activation's.

> So I bought another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I’ve installed

> it & its all working great (much better than my Win98).

>

> But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do this.

> I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer to

> re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb in this

> area).

Yes, you could have.

> Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on the

> computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

There's no need to "find out." Yes, it's still usable. It's usable on

that computer forever.

> I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be used

> limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

No, it can be used limitlessly as long as it's on that original

computer. Hardware changes *are* permitted. Only a move to a different

computer is forbidden.

> Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original Product Key

> on the side of the Acer Computer.

>

> Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that I

> have on this computer now on another computer(that’s not been not working for

> 6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

No. The biggest disadvantage of the OEM CD you bought is that its

license ties it permanently to the original computer it's installed on

and it may never be moved to another. That's the reason I almost

always recommend a Retail Upgrade copy instead, which usually costs

only slightly more than an OEM copy, can be moved to another computer

as desired, and *can* do a clean installation (despite what many

people think) as long as you have a CD of a previous qualifying

version (such as Windows 98) to show it when installing.

> If you say that I "can't" use my newly bought WinXp Home CD on the other

> computer. If the reason be because it's locked to the Acer 5500 computer now

> & can't be De-activated.

Yes.

> What about in the other newsgroups some people seem

> to say something about "if I don't activate for 120 days" I can use the

> Product Key again, etc. Please explain the 120 days without activation. Would

> it work for me?

Are you asking about whether you can get away with violating the rules

in the EULA? Yes, there are people who have gotten away with doing so.

That doesn't change the fact that what you are suggesting is against

the rules. Some people get away with driving through red lights, too,

but that doesn't make it legal to do so.

>

> I believe I've stuffed up. Is there any way out of this. I don't think I'm

> doing anything illegal - I have the original product key on the Acer

> computer. I've paid for the right to use the WinXp Home Cd I bought. Please

> guide me on the right path.

You've paid for the right to use the CD you bought, but your right is

only to use it in accordance with the terms of the EULA. What you

propose, unfortunately, is in violation of those terms.

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

July 11, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

On Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:55:00 -0700, Peter wrote:

> I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on it. Acer Veriton 5500.

> I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want any virus's, etc. I

> didn't understand to much about Re-Installing, Activation's. So I bought

> another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I¢ve installed it & its

> all working great (much better than my Win98).

>

> But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do this.

> I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer to

> re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb in this

> area).

>

> Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on the

> computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

>

> I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be used

> limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

I am not sure about "over the 'net". You probably need to call the Microsoft

number for product activations; alas, I've never needed to phone in a

product activation, so I don't know that number.

> Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original Product Key

> on the side of the Acer Computer.

>

> Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that I

> have on this computer now on another computer(that¢s not been not working for

> 6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

AIUI, the OEM license stays with the computer, so you should be able to use

the product key on the side of the Acer case. However, your activation of

the retail box version has created a situation where you will almost

certainly have to contact Microsoft by telephone.

The way I would approach it is to call their product activation number

(assuming I could find it), and explain that I have an OEM license for the

Acer, and another computer. And that I want to apply the OEM product key

from the Acer for the OS on the Acer, and the retail box product key for the

other computer. I'd try calling first and running it by Microsoft, just to

be sure. But I don't see why you couldn't apply the OEM product key to the

Windows XP installation on the Acer, and the retail box product key to the

Windows XP installation on the other computer.

These links might prove useful:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302806

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457054.aspx

--

Norman

~Oh Lord, why have you come

~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum

July 12, 2008

Re: Installing XP, Activation, Product Key, etc

Yes they had been. In fact one had been activated only a couple of months

earlier because I had set up a dual boot PC (500mhz) for my wife booting

into Win XP or Win 98 (for her older games) but it was too slow so I

switched it for my backup machine which was faster but I used her OEM copy

of XP for it and it activated with no problem. Come to think of it, my

earlier statement about the computer case was wrong as well because I

finished up switching the two PCs. Like I said, give it a whirl. If your

Dell accepts the old CD key you are no worse off than now and after that I

would be very surprised if you could not install your OEM copy on another

machine with no difficulty. Incidentally, the old machine happily

validated on the copy of XP that had been on the backup one. Don't ask me

why I switched the copies over, I think that because I had to do a full

install on my wife's machine to get the dual boot I automatically used her

copy.

--

Keith W

Sunbury on Thames

(If you can't laugh at life, it ain't worth living)

"Peter" <Peter@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:48ED1E6C-E8F1-4EF9-80EA-9E3064E90F16@microsoft.com...

> Hi Keith, I'm wondering were any of your Xp versions validated before you

> did

> the change over. Thanks, Peter.

>

> "Keith W" wrote:

>

>>

>> "Peter" <Peter@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:F271829A-D80C-473D-9DFF-4720D0A083DD@microsoft.com...

>> > Hi All, This is my first Question/s ever, so be nice to a first timer.

>> > please.

>> >

>> > This is my story. I bought a second hand computer with WinXp Home on

>> > it.

>> > Acer Veriton 5500. I wiped the Hard Drive clean because I didn't want

>> > any

>> > virus's, etc. I didn't understand to much about Re-Installing,

>> > Activation's.

>> > So I bought another WinXp Home SP1 OEM Cd brand new(unused). I've

>> > installed

>> > it & its all working great (much better than my Win98).

>> >

>> > But I believe I've read in your newsgroups that I didn't "need" to do

>> > this.

>> > I could have used the Product Key that was on the side of my computer

>> > to

>> > re-install Wimp Home with the Cod they gave me. (I know I'm real dumb

>> > in

>> > this

>> > area).

>> >

>> > Is there a way to find out over the net if my Original Product Key on

>> > the

>> > computer is still useable on the Acer Computer?

>> >

>> > I believe in principal your laws seem to say the Product Key can be

>> > used

>> > limitlessly if no hardware changes (i.e. Mother Board).

>> >

>> > Future Questions if the answer is "Yes" - I can use the Original

>> > Product

>> > Key

>> > on the side of the Acer Computer.

>> >

>> > Would this allow me to use the existing WinXp Home (I bought new) that

>> > I

>> > have on this computer now on another computer(that's not been not

>> > working

>> > for

>> > 6 months now - has Win 98 on it)?

>> >

>> > If you say that I "can't" use my newly bought WinXp Home CD on the

>> > other

>> > computer. If the reason be because it's locked to the Acer 5500

>> > computer

>> > now

>> > & can't be De-activated. What about in the other newsgroups some people

>> > seem

>> > to say something about "if I don't activate for 120 days" I can use the

>> > Product Key again, etc. Please explain the 120 days without activation.

>> > Would

>> > it work for me?

>> >

>> > I believe I've stuffed up. Is there any way out of this. I don't think

>> > I'm

>> > doing anything illegal - I have the original product key on the Acer

>> > computer. I've paid for the right to use the WinXp Home Cd I bought.

>> > Please

>> > guide me on the right path.

>> >

>>

>> In similar circumstances I have carried out the following successfully.

>>

>> First I changed the CD Key I had used on one PC to another (still valid)

>> key

>> using a small free utility called Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder which I

>> got

>> from http://www.magicaljellybean.com . This avoided the problem of

>> having

>> to reinstall Windows from scratch. I then installed my OEM version onto

>> another PC and it activated with no problems. I have read on another

>> group

>> that when you purchase an OEM disk you effectively become the

>> manufacturer

>> and it is your decision as to when the PC becomes a different PC. Mine

>> was

>> still the original PC case with everything inside replaced and I decided

>> that this constituted an upgrade to the original machine. I would

>> stress

>> that, like you, I had paid for and had the legal title to both CD Keys

>> but

>> needed to move them around. I suggest you give it a try and see what

>> happens.

>> --

>> Keith W

>> Sunbury on Thames

>> (If you can't laugh at life, it ain't worth living)

>>

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