Reusing Windows XP CD-Key

[luckyinfil]

Hey guys,

I just received a laptop for free from my company (IBM X31 ) and the hard disk has been nuked completely to prevent data from being recovered. Currently, it has no operating system on it. This computer originally came with WIndows XP, as indicated by the license sticker on the bottom. Is there anyway for me to install windows back onto this laptop using that same cdkey? I believe Windows that come with those kind of stickers are OEM versions. Does this mean that I can't reinstall windows and I'd have to buy a new one? Also, what is the difference between windows Xp oem and retail?

THanks

 

[BadThad]

If there's a CDKEY on the computer, then you can use it on that computer. Just use the correct CD, i.e. home or pro, and you can reinstall.

 

[Boyo]

The difference between OEM and retail is that OEM the CD Key is wedded to just that computer. You can't reuse it on another computer. Retail lets you re-use the key for other computers, like an upgrade. As long as you have the CD Key you can reuse that key to install windows.

 

[Seekermeister]

In my opinion, the major thing difference about OEM from retail, is that if your purchase if defective, and it will not install, you are out of luck, because neither the vender or MS will do anything about it.

 

[oynaz]

Originally posted by: Boyo
The difference between OEM and retail is that OEM the CD Key is wedded to just that computer. You can't reuse it on another computer.

Only the US. In most other countries, you can install OEM on other computers, no matter what Microsoft claim in their terms of use.

 

[anthrax]

I don't think IBM notebooks come with the product recovery CDs and more. You will have to order the recovery CDs from IBM/lenovo.

The key at stuck to the bottom of the laptop is supposed to only work on that model of IBM notebook. I belive its tied to the BIOS or something like that.

1.) If you can't get the product CD, you could try to use a FCKGW copy of XP then manually change the key back to one at the bottom of the notebook. Then you can test if it passed WGA.. (I tried this with a FCKGW and a valid "volume license key" and it worked.)

2.) The OEM keys large vendors such as DELL, IBM/Lenovo, HP get are all tied to their system BIOS. These do not require product activation after installation.

The OEM keys you get with small system vendors w/ the holographic CD and stuff isn't tied to BIOS. However, you have to activate these within 30 days of installation. From what I read, you cannot activate the same key again on different H/W once it has activated once.

3.) Your best bet is to get a copy of FCKGW edition of XP, install it... change the key the one at the bottom of your laptop. Then see can you install SP2 and pass WGA..

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

I tried this once. Here were my ingredients:

1) A Windows XP Home OEM key code printed on the back of an defunct HP Pavilion desktop PC.
2) A Windows XP Home OEM CD with a different key code.
3) A whitebox custom-built desktop PC.

Here's what I did to make it work: First, I installed Windows XP using the OEM CD and the key that is supposed to go with it (not the HP key). Then I tried to activate it, but because I have re-installed and re-activated that particular version of XP so often, I was denied internet activation. Instead, my choices were to call in the activation, or change to a different key code. I chose the latter, and entered the key code from the HP Pavilion. Success! It activated automatically with the Pavilion's key.

I'm not sure if that's legal, but it did work.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
I tried this once. Here were my ingredients:

1) A Windows XP Home OEM key code printed on the back of an defunct HP Pavilion desktop PC.
2) A Windows XP Home OEM CD with a different key code.
3) A whitebox custom-built desktop PC.

Here's what I did to make it work: First, I installed Windows XP using the OEM CD and the key that is supposed to go with it (not the HP key). Then I tried to activate it, but because I have re-installed and re-activated that particular version of XP so often, I was denied internet activation. Instead, my choices were to call in the activation, or change to a different key code. I chose the latter, and entered the key code from the HP Pavilion. Success! It activated automatically with the Pavilion's key.

I'm not sure if that's legal, but it did work.

nope, not legal - oem has a f*cked up license if you ever take the time to read, not that the others are any better though...

 

[Aikouka]

It will install just fine.

I recently purchased a copy of Windows MCE 2005 to install on my older PC and I "transfered" the copy of Windows XP Pro to my newer PC. That Windows XP Pro was an OEM copy and it activated with no problems. Windows Update and Activation Verification also works just fine.

Essentially, Microsoft still ended up getting more money from me and I got the configuration the way I wanted .

 

[Brian48]

I've reinstalled OEM licenses on different machines before. It's usually hit or miss for me. I've found that activated OEM licenses tend to "reset" after more than six months and you can reuse it again. I've got about 5 OEM licenses, but because I upgrade and move around parts all the time, it's been very confusing to figure out what belongs to what. One license might fail when doing a new install on a new motherboard, but yet will work again later on a different motherboard. Weird.

 

[Brian48]

FYI, on the one or two occasions in which I've failed to activate Windows, I called the 800 number and they were able to take care of it over the phone. A little inconvenient and time consuming, but it does work and the individuals I've dealt with were very helpful.

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: Brian48
FYI, on the one or two occasions in which I've failed to activate Windows, I called the 800 number and they were able to take care of it over the phone. A little inconvenient and time consuming, but it does work and the individuals I've dealt with were very helpful.

Yea, it's no big deal calling MS to activate any version of XP. I build/repair PC's and I've had to do this many times on OEM and whitebox systems.