XP Home SP2 OEM + SP1 CD Key?

[Poppa_Meth]

A friend of mine has a computer with XP Home SP1 installed but this crappy company doesn't ship an actual windows disc, or even a recovery disc with the system. I'm about to order a copy of XP Home SP2 OEM for another build I'll be doing. Can I copy this disc for him to use with his original CD Key (on the tower of the PC) or will the CD Key from a SP1 install not work with an SP2 disc? I don't see why it wouldn't being just a Service Pack upgrade on it but not having tried it before I'd like to make sure. I can always order a SP1 CD instead and slipstream SP2 into it for other installs.

[waheed]

Tricky situation.

Your best bet is to contact Microsoft for advice.

[Cobra]

I would also contact Microsoft - they will most likely just ship you a replacement disc. I think each copy of Windows is key-specific anyway, so it wouldn't work. SP2 shouldn't make a difference, though.

[Poppa_Meth]

So far all I've worked with are Dell OEMs but they are NOT key specific. You can change the key on them and they work fine. Not sure about a normal copy though.

[lumis]

cobra,

when you say "key specific", do you mean each individual disc has its own designated key that it will only work with?

if so, that is incorrect.

[waheed]

I think you're correct lumis. You can use a different keys for the same copy of windows xp technically. But you cant activate it. For each copy of win xp, it can only be activated once. Hence, each key being tied to its own copy of xp it came with.

This is why microsoft introduced activation, to prevent another key being used for another copy of win xp.

[Poppa_Meth]

I'm not too sure about that. You can buy more keys from microsoft for a disc you already have, even though it costs nearly as much as just buying another copy. If thats the case then you have to be able to activate it multiple times.

[waheed]

I'm not too sure about that. You can buy more keys from microsoft for a disc you already have, even though it costs nearly as much as just buying another copy. If thats the case then you have to be able to activate it multiple times.

You can buy as many keys as you want (if thats possible, i dont know) from microsoft, but the point still remains, each key can only be activated once.

Can I copy this disc for him to use with his original CD Key (on the tower of the PC)

This was the original question, i would say his original key has already been activated. you may need to contact microsoft to transfer the key over to the new OS.

[Poppa_Meth]

Thanks for the input on it. I've got an email into microsoft about it. I have used my DELL OEM before to install on a different DELL computer and changed the CD-Key before attempting to activate it online, which then worked without a problem. So I'm still not certain exactly where that leaves me in this situation. Hopefully they'll clear it up or I'll just have to try it when the time comes.

[bugster]

You should be able to install windows XP from ANY CD, as long as you have a valid activation key. The key does not refer in any way to the CD, but the machine it is installed on. So as long as your friend has a valid XP activation key for his PC, you can use ANY XP install disc, you just have to use his key.

[Poppa_Meth]

That's what I was thinking Bugster, but not certain on it. The other issue is I'm wondering if I'll have any problems since his original key is from a SP1 disc and I'd be using a SP2 disc to reinstall it. I don't see why since its just a service pack upgrade but you never know with microsoft.

[waheed]

I dont think SP1 and SP2 would make a difference. They are just service pack updates. Activation only take into account the computers hardware and generates a unique ID (I think). It is not software based.

[bugster]

That's what I was thinking Bugster,

I am certain. There is no connection between the Activation key and the CD or other media that XP was installed from. The Activation key is specific to the PC (motherboard, CPU, Ethernet card etc), not the CD.

[Poppa_Meth]

Thanks again for the input. Thats the way I thought it worked but I've only dealt with Dell OEMs so far which activate themselves in the BIOS for the computer they came with so I wasn't sure if a normal copy would work the same.

[ViRaL1]

As long as it's the same version of XP, service packs won't matter. Other than that, Home keys won't work for Pro and vice versa. Also I believe Full Version keys won't work for upgrades and vice versa.

(Not 100% on the full / upgrade part).

[Poppa_Meth]

well the original install should have been a full version and the disc I'm going to use is a full version so it shouldn't be an issue then.

[Poppa_Meth]

Microsoft won't tell me anything. No surprise. They say to contact the computer's manufacturer, which is crap anyway. They are a crappy company that doesn't reply to emails and have no real support options. Besides if they wanted you to have a CD I think they'd have sent it with the PC instead of making a recovery partition.

[snitzle_iii]

AS LONG AS THE KEY IS GOOD U CAN USE IT ON ANY CD! (btw u might want to pm me. wink...wink...ledgit...corp...key)

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning.

Before you reply, please observe our following forum rules

Do NOT give warez.

Do NOT link to warez .

Do NOT ask for warez.

Do NOT provide information how to obtain warez.

Do NOT advocate warez.

/ Moderator bugster

[lumis]

thats not too smart..

[ViRaL1]

Who didn't see that comin?

[pfh]

Poppa- You probebly want to write down the key(s) that are in the registry before hand no?

[Poppa_Meth]

Probably. I have his CD Key which should be all I need but just in case I'll export the reg keys as well.

[snitzle_iii]

AS LONG AS THE KEY IS GOOD U CAN USE IT ON ANY CD! (btw u might want to pm me. wink...wink...ledgit...corp...key)

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning.

Before you reply, please observe our following forum rules

Do NOT give warez.

Do NOT link to warez .

Do NOT ask for warez.

Do NOT provide information how to obtain warez.

Do NOT advocate warez.

/ Moderator bugster

dude i don't get it how is giving out ledgit win xp corp WAREZ. i mean i can get oem xp pro for 5 dollars and my school gives out FREE winxp cds?!

[waheed]

Win XP Corperate Edition is NOT available to the general public. Its meant for large businesses and organisations that buy in bulk quantities.

Giving out keys is warez. Which is what you mentioned and received a warning for.

[lumis]

AS LONG AS THE KEY IS GOOD U CAN USE IT ON ANY CD! (btw u might want to pm me. wink...wink...ledgit...corp...key)

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning.

Before you reply, please observe our following forum rules

Do NOT give warez.

Do NOT link to warez .

Do NOT ask for warez.

Do NOT provide information how to obtain warez.

Do NOT advocate warez.

/ Moderator bugster

dude i don't get it how is giving out ledgit win xp corp WAREZ. i mean i can get oem xp pro for 5 dollars and my school gives out FREE winxp cds?!

ledgit? are you sure your school is ledgit?

[bugster]

AS LONG AS THE KEY IS GOOD U CAN USE IT ON ANY CD! (btw u might want to pm me. wink...wink...ledgit...corp...key)

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning.

Before you reply, please observe our following forum rules

Do NOT give warez.

Do NOT link to warez .

Do NOT ask for warez.

Do NOT provide information how to obtain warez.

Do NOT advocate warez.

/ Moderator bugster

dude i don't get it how is giving out ledgit win xp corp WAREZ. i mean i can get oem xp pro for 5 dollars and my school gives out FREE winxp cds?!

If you don't understand what is wrong here, then why the "u might want to pm me. wink...wink", why not just post the key on a public forum

Now drop the subject or the topic will be locked and you risk a further warning. If you have issues with the warning, PM me and keep it out of this thread.
/moderator bugster

[INFRATOM]

Windows cd's are generic meaning you can use them to install on any computer and then activate or register it, But there are different types of windows like xp pro, home edition, corp edition and so on. The cd key only works on that type of windows so install it if you know the windows type match's the registration key.

[snitzle_iii]

dude my school gets so much money from microsoft u dont even know. ok so ANY STUDENT in school is able to borrow the WIN XP CD with a CD KEY to install at home for FREE and students in multiple computer classes like ROBOTICS, AUTOCAD, JAVA, C++ and so forth can get a 1 KEY for Every class. Basically i have acumlated 5. i undestand now...