Got Win XP CD, but want to use COA on laptops

[BAD311]

Hello all. I just purchased several laptops (11 total). They all come with COA's on the bottom of them, some are XP Home, some are XP Pro. I have a XP Pro CD but not the original installation CD's for the laptops... How can I install Windows XP and use the COA on the bottom of the laptops to install and activate Windows without ho'ing out the Windows XP CD key that came with the Windows XP CD I have?

 

[mpilchfamily]

The pro keys should work on the pro CD. But they may not. The Home Key will not work with that CD. BTW the CD you have won't have a certain key asigned to it. I beleive there is an algorythum used to verify CD keys.

You may have to run Linux on those laptops.

 

[cirthix]

maybe, maybe not.

go download an all-in-one (common variant is 9-in-1) xp cd and use a keychanger to set your legit keys after installation.

 

[RebateMonger]

The COA Keys can only be used with the correct OEM version of XP. The ideal solution is to obtain the PC maker's XP Install CDs appropriate to the PC make and XP version.

A second option is to obtain generic OEM Install CDs for XP Pro and XP Home, do the installs, and then call Microsoft and ask them to Activate the PCs. Microsoft locked name-brand COA Keys from their online Activation database five years ago, so it's likely you'll need to do a phone Activation if you actually use the COA Keys.

 

[RebateMonger]

The COA Keys can only be used with the correct OEM version of XP. The ideal solution is to obtain the PC maker's XP Install CDs appropriate to the PC make and XP version.

A second option is to obtain generic OEM Install CDs for XP Pro and XP Home, do the installs, and then call Microsoft and ask them to Activate the PCs. Microsoft locked name-brand COA Keys from their online Activation database five years ago, so it's likely you'll need to do a phone Activation if you actually use the COA Keys.

 

[HalfCrazy]

The COA Keys can only be used with the correct OEM version of XP. The ideal solution is to obtain the PC maker's XP Install CDs appropriate to the PC make and XP version.

A second option is to obtain generic OEM Install CDs for XP Pro and XP Home, do the installs, and then call Microsoft and ask them to Activate the PCs. Microsoft locked name-brand COA Keys from their online Activation database five years ago, so it's likely you'll need to do a phone Activation if you actually use the COA Keys.

I had a old name brand PC laying around without a hdd. The case still had it's WinXP Home COA key on the case. So I downloaded the winxp oem version and installed it on the system. Once, I got windows running I had to do the activation on the system. I was able to do the activation on it without calling MS.

 

[Intexity]

carrying winxp oem cd's branded by major manufacturers is a solid practice...pm me if you need assistance getting the cd's...

 

[RebateMonger]

Once, I got windows running I had to do the activation on the system. I was able to do the activation on it without calling MS.

I saw that with a Gateway OEM Key a few months ago. While MS definitely changed their OEM Key Activation policies in 2005 (including letters to all their partners detailing the change), it's possible that MS has "slacked-off" on the policy now that new XP installations are likely tapering off.

 

[BAD311]

Thanks all for the response! I have 4 HP laptops without CD/DVD players. Pretty much the dinosaur of what we now know as netbooks.

I think I'll install XP Pro on them all except 1 (which has Home), and try the COA keys on the netbooks. Can't hurt.