Windows XP registration question

thejavabuddhathejavabuddha
edited January 2007 in Science & Tech
I recently aquired two computers from work. Their hard drives were wiped, but both have two product keys for windows XP on the cases. I asume they are OEM keys but not sure. The problem is I have no windows XP disk. Is it posible to install a borrowed/trial version and use the supplied keys to activate the copy of windows?

Thanks,
Bill

Comments

  • TimTim Southwest PA Icrontian
    edited December 2006
    The keys will work if you use the telephone activation proceedure, but you will need some sort of XP disc to load XP from. 9 out of 10, after you give them the 42 digit numeric code on the activation screen, you'll have to hit the "change product key" button, manually enter the key, then click "update". Then give them the new 42 digit code on the screen. THEN you'll be activated.

    Don't ask me how I know this kind of stuff.;)
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited December 2006
    thejavabuddha wrote:
    I recently aquired two computers from work. Their hard drives were wiped, but both have two product keys for windows XP on the cases. I asume they are OEM keys but not sure. The problem is I have no windows XP disk. Is it posible to install a borrowed/trial version and use the supplied keys to activate the copy of windows?

    Thanks,
    Bill

    Not legally. The disc that came with the computer must be the disc that's used with the key according to the Microsoft OEM EULA.
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited December 2006
    However if you call them up and ask about it, they'll tell you that it's okay by them, but that you must have the same type of disk (i.e. if it's a OEM code, then you need an OEM disk), or it simply doesn't work, and that if you do have the same type of disk, then it will work without having to call them up.

    I'm not sure about how that interacts with the EULA, but I'm assuming it's okay to do since that's what the technicians told me over the phone when I lost my CD for my Laptop, and all I had sitting around were OEM disks for my clients (I had to borrow a Home disk from someone to get Windows reinstalled). As long as each license is only installed on one computer at a time, you should be alright.
  • thejavabuddhathejavabuddha
    edited December 2006
    Does anyone know where I can get a copy of XP OEM? I've looked to download it and from what I can tell they're all retail versions, and probably modified from the original version to boot... Just a shot in the dark ;) Or will the trial version work (although it seems logical that it would be a retail version).

    Bill
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited December 2006
    thejavabuddha wrote:
    Does anyone know where I can get a copy of XP OEM? I've looked to download it...
    I sympathize with your situation, but we won't be able to help you if you're looking for a shady site from which to download an illegal copy.

    You might try to find someone who bought their computer from a small independent shop and borrow their disc. If the computers you got from work were a particular brand (Dell, Gateway, whatever) you should try matching that. I'd also check with whoever handles your IT stuff at work and see if they have a spare disc laying around. Since that's where you got the computers that would probably be your best bet.
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited December 2006
    You can use whatever XP disk you want and change the key to your legit ones using the tool supplied here: http://www.short-media.com/forum/showpost.php?p=410582&postcount=2

    So if you need an XP Pro disk, get an XP Pro disk. It doesn't matter if it's an upgrade, OEM, Retail, etc. Just install the OS with whatever key you can find, then change it to your legit keys using this tool.

    It's available VIA Microsoft - so it's totally legit.
  • lezlowlezlow
    edited December 2006
    why not bill....bill gates is making laptops to copy other persons dvd,s thers no penalty you just done get updates...lezlow
  • thejavabuddhathejavabuddha
    edited December 2006
    Actually, the key changer program worked great...THANKS!
  • thejavabuddhathejavabuddha
    edited January 2007
    TheSmJ wrote:
    You can use whatever XP disk you want and change the key to your legit ones using the tool supplied here:

    So if you need an XP Pro disk, get an XP Pro disk. It doesn't matter if it's an upgrade, OEM, Retail, etc. Just install the OS with whatever key you can find, then change it to your legit keys using this tool.

    It's available VIA Microsoft - so it's totally legit.

    I did this and it worked fine, but I never called in to activate it. I never got a promp to and I have no idea what the phone number is? If/when I do, will they ask me where I got my copy of windows?
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited January 2007
    What version of Windows did you use for the installation?

    Have you been able to successfully run Windows Update yet?
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