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    product key for reinstalling windows xp MCE 2005

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by electronicsguy, Jun 27, 2006.

  1. electronicsguy

    electronicsguy Notebook Evangelist

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    HI,
    I recently bought a dell e1405 and want to do a clean re-install of windows xp MCE 2005. I bought the OS backup CD from dell. Now my question is: what is the correct product key to be used? The laptop comes with a small sticker at the bottom which lists a product key. However when I run a tool like microsoft genuine advantage, it lists the key being used as totally different (not that is does list the OS as genuine)... so which is the correct key for reinstalling?

    thanks
     
    electronicsguy, Jun 27, 2006
    #1
  2. camsimple

    camsimple Notebook Evangelist

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    Use the key on the provided sticker. That will be your correct key.
     
    camsimple, Jun 27, 2006
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  3. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    You don't need a key. If you are installing it on your laptop, XP is already activated, so you won't be asked to enter a key in.
     
    Amber, Jun 27, 2006
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  4. jeffmd

    jeffmd Notebook Evangelist

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    yea, both the backup cd and the reinstall cd's are built in with an oem key and a subroutiene that varifys things like the mobo so the disc can only be used on your laptop series. The OEM key used on all the pc's are the same, the key on the bottem of your lapop is mearly a unique ID that you can use with microsoft over the phone for customer service.
     
    jeffmd, Jun 27, 2006
    #4