Using XP Home to replace "recovery" version

[Guest Joe Mamma]

Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have installed on

one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed with

Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would like to

re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but I do

not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be

installed this way. Here in lies the question:

 

Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular copy of

windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the license

that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS, will

the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Guest Gordon]

Re: Using XP Home to replace "recovery" version

 

Joe Mamma wrote:

> Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have installed on

> one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed with

> Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would like to

> re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but I do

> not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be

> installed this way. Here in lies the question:

>

> Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular copy of

> windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the license

> that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS, will

> the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Absolutely - as long as the two versions are the same TYPE - i.e. both

OEM or both Retail full or both retail upgrade.

[Guest Alias]

Re: Using XP Home to replace "recovery" version

 

Gordon wrote:

> Joe Mamma wrote:

>> Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have

>> installed on one of my computers. I have another system, which came

>> pre-installed with Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery

>> disks. I would like to re-format and re-install the system that only

>> has recovery disks, but I do not want all the crap (trial versions of

>> software, etc.) that would be installed this way. Here in lies the

>> question:

>>

>> Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular

>> copy of windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage

>> of the license that came with the computer? In other words, will this

>> be OK with MS, will the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance

>> for any help.

>

> Absolutely - as long as the two versions are the same TYPE - i.e. both

> OEM or both Retail full or both retail upgrade.

 

It looks as though one is a generic OEM or retail and the other, of

course, is a branded OEM so it probably won't work.

 

Alias

[Guest Xandros]

Re: Using XP Home to replace "recovery" version

 

 

"Joe Mamma" <Joe Mamma@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:402B06C5-0BA1-4E32-8C36-22E3FDDC1682@microsoft.com...

> Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have installed

> on

> one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed with

> Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would like to

> re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but I do

> not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be

> installed this way. Here in lies the question:

>

> Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular copy of

> windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the

> license

> that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS,

> will

> the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

It is unlikely that will work. The version that came preinstalled is an OEM

version. The other version is likely a Retail version. Product keys for OEM

versions are not recognized by Retail versions. Therefore when asked during

setup for the Product Key the one from the sticker on the computer likely

will not be accepted.

 

However you can try it to see if it works by doing the following which won't

cause you any data loss.

 

On the computer you wish to do the reinstall boot to the Desktop. Pop the CD

for Windows XP into the CD drive. When the install screen pops open select

the option to Install. Select the option to Upgrade. You will then be asked

to provide the Product Key. Type in the key that came with the computer. If

it is not accepted you will be told that the key is invalid. You can cancel

the process. NO harm done. If the key is accepted you will go to the next

screen at which time you can cancel knowing that the OEM key for the

computer will work with your XP CD.

 

Once again it is highly unlikely that the CD will accept the OEM key. But if

it does your install will be legal.

 

--

 

Xandros

[Guest Malke]

Re: Using XP Home to replace "recovery" version

 

Joe Mamma wrote:

> Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have installed

> on

> one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed with

> Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would like to

> re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but I do

> not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be

> installed this way. Here in lies the question:

>

> Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular copy of

> windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the

> license

> that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS,

> will

> the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

It depends on the version of XP that you have installed on your other

computer. If it is a generic OEM (or a branded OEM like Dell and the target

computer is a Dell running the same version of XP - Home, Pro, Media

Center) then this will work. You will use the Product Key that is on the

sticker of your OEM machine. In the case of using a generic OEM disk on a

branded OEM machine (Dell, Toshiba, HP, etc.) you will probably need to

activate over the phone but this is no big deal.

 

If the XP installation media you used on your other computer is *not* a

generic/branded OEM but is a retail version, then you won't be able to use

it with your OEM machine's Product Key. You would then need to do a clean

install but activation will fail since the retail key is in use on your

other computer.

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

Don't Panic!

[Guest Daave]

Re: Using XP Home to replace "recovery" version

 

"Joe Mamma" <Joe Mamma@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:402B06C5-0BA1-4E32-8C36-22E3FDDC1682@microsoft.com...

> Here's the situation, I have a copy of Windows XP, which I have

> installed on

> one of my computers. I have another system, which came pre-installed

> with

> Windows XP for which I only have a set of recovery disks. I would

> like to

> re-format and re-install the system that only has recovery disks, but

> I do

> not want all the crap (trial versions of software, etc.) that would be

> installed this way. Here in lies the question:

>

> Since I have 2 legitimate windows licenses. Can I use the regular

> copy of

> windows XP to install the second computer and take advantage of the

> license

> that came with the computer? In other words, will this be OK with MS,

> will

> the phone activation work, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

You can use the "regular copy of windows XP" if it is a generic OEM

installation disk of the same type that your pre-installed PC came with

(e.g., Pro or Home). Is that what you have?

 

Another option is to burn your own installation disk using your recovery

discs:

 

http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml