getting a new valid key for xp pro

[Guest jeremy123]

I bought a computer a couple of months ago. It came with XP pro installed,

but no CD or key was given to me. It worked fine, I got no errors with

activation, or windows genuine or anything like that. However, the harddrive

died, and I needed to install windows again on a new harddrive. I borrowed a

friends cd, it installed, but failed WGA. I don't mind buying a new license

and key, but I was wondering: I can get a discount through Microsoft employee

purchase program (EPP). Can I use that key (even though the page for

puchasing XP pro on EPP says 'version upgrade') to change my incorrect key

on the computer and validate windows? I don't want to have to wipe the hard

drive and reinstall, even though I do have real win 98 cds and keys.

 

thanks

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: getting a new valid key for xp pro

 

A version upgrade pk will work as long as the XP Pro Windows media is retail

(upgrade or full edition should not matter). It will not work with an OEM

cd. EPP product keys are "retail" pk's so you will not have any problems in

that regard.

 

Perform a repair install and use the EPP pk. Postpone activation to give

yourself time to make sure you have a stable system that is free of malware.

If you have any doubts about the integrity of the system you installed, back

up your files and settings and do a clean installation. Since you have

Win98 cd's I don't see any problems in your doing all of this with an

upgrade edition product key. Personally I would do a clean install but you

may have reasons for not doing so unless absolutely neccessary.

 

You will have to visit Windows Update and bring the system back up to date

following a repair installation.

 

"jeremy123" <jeremy123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:BD0274D3-4B3E-4DC0-9EE0-B08A031A951C@microsoft.com...

>I bought a computer a couple of months ago. It came with XP pro installed,

> but no CD or key was given to me. It worked fine, I got no errors with

> activation, or windows genuine or anything like that. However, the

> harddrive

> died, and I needed to install windows again on a new harddrive. I borrowed

> a

> friends cd, it installed, but failed WGA. I don't mind buying a new

> license

> and key, but I was wondering: I can get a discount through Microsoft

> employee

> purchase program (EPP). Can I use that key (even though the page for

> puchasing XP pro on EPP says 'version upgrade') to change my incorrect

> key

> on the computer and validate windows? I don't want to have to wipe the

> hard

> drive and reinstall, even though I do have real win 98 cds and keys.

>

> thanks