Installing from Recovery CDs to another PC

Hi,

Is there a way to install Windows XP from my Acer recovery CDs to another (non-Acer) PC? Can I scavenge the files from the recovery CDs to make a clean Windows XP installation disc?

My Acer laptop (6592g) originally came with Windows XP from which I made the recovery CDs. Later on I purchased Windows Vista for a new desktop PC. I decided to use Vista on my laptop and XP on my desktop, essentially switching the OS from one system to another. The problem is that installation directly from the Recovery CDs ultimately complains of the desktop PC hardware (if I remember correctly) I'm installing XP to.

Is there a way to do this with the recovery CDs or do I have to "borrow" an installation CD from a friend?

Thanks!

 

Your recovery CD that came with your Acer is locked to your Acer hardware so that it will not work when you pop it into another computer.

Now since you bought Vista, that should work on any computer.

If you could get you hands on an XP OEM disc that is not hardware linked (like a system builder OEM, or in other words, a non-vendor specific disc) then your XP Key should work with that disc too and it is actually a legal thing to do under Microsoft's EULA to install from that disc. Just make sure that you match it with XP Home or XP Professional, do not use a Home key with a Professional disc (it will not work).

I hope this makes sense. Good luck!

 

Against the EULA, and basically illegal! And thread closed.