Fresh install of WinXP Pro question

Hi

I want to install a fresh copy of WinXP Pro on my SZ2. I don't intend to do recovery, I WANT to do it from the ground up and I know how to do it to get it right.

My only question is about the product key. I own a legal license of WinXP Pro that came with my SZ2, the WinXP Pro product key is printed on the back of my SZ2. However I don't have a WinXP Pro disc. My father has one he bought years ago for his laptop.

Question is, can I use this disc and my product key to intall WinXP? I mean I have a valid license of XP Pro, the question is just if I would be able to use a retail disc (not the recovery one) and install XP Pro using my product key? I'd end up with a fresh install of XP Pro with my legal license key. Would that work? I just wanna avoid using the recovery.

Thanks for the help.

 

I recently purchased a used BX560 with windows xp pro COA but I don't have the OEM disc. I know I can download the OEM xp pro and use my cdkey, but can anyone tell me whether the original was an oem disc with sp1? or did it come with sp2?

 

The OEM version is the same as the retail with the only difference beeing the packaging and manual. Question is can you install from a OEM/Retail disc using the legal license code you have (printed on the back of the SZ2) resulting in a fresh legal WinXP Pro?

 

I have found that the keys differ between XP Pro versions. Pre-SP1 key has never worked for an SP2 CD for me. If you find a SP2 disc, make sure your key is for SP2.

 

Just do it. =)

 

Well, my SZ2 came with XP Pro Sp2 so I guess the key if for that OS. I just need a WinXP Pro SP2 install disc. I got that from my father, so I guess I could use it with my key. I'm trying that tomorrow. Time to backup stuff before doing it.

 

I have no idea what the BX560 comes with hmmm i'll try and get one with sp1 and one with sp2

 

Whether the serial works for another XP is not soley dependent on SP1 or SP2, there are numerous cases where users have not been able to install XP even if the version is the same. It seems that MS made a number of keys for each version of XP. I only know of one person who happened to luck out and got it working with another CD using his existing serial. Your best bet is to make your own XP disk using the files from the i386 folder on your recovery CD or HDD. This way you are installing the copy of XP that you paid for. You can even register it without any problems.

Just google it! (insert swoosh gif here)

 

I have installed Win XP Pro using my own installer disks and then entering the key found on the bottom of my Acer TM8104 and it worked, so it should work for you too.