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    Can I activate any copy of Windows XP Pro. with the key on my computer?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by corona7w, Jul 13, 2008.

  1. corona7w

    corona7w Notebook Consultant

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    I just reinstalled Wndows XP Pro with a disc that does not have a serial code. However, the computer I'm installing the OS on originally came with XP Pro. Will I be able to activate the current copy of windows with the serial code I already have?
     
    corona7w, Jul 13, 2008
    #1
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    What key did you use to install it?
     
    ZaZ, Jul 14, 2008
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  3. corona7w

    corona7w Notebook Consultant

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    I'm stuck at the activation page, during the installation.
     
    corona7w, Jul 14, 2008
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  4. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    You might as well try.
     
    surfasb, Jul 14, 2008
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  5. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    I expect so.
     
    swarmer, Jul 14, 2008
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  6. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    From what I have experienced, you should be able to install the same version, same bit, same SP - windows with that key....Its worked for me many times.. :D
    I tried to install Win XP Home with the Win XP Home SP2 Serial, but it didn't work but worked for a borrowed Win XP Home SP2 OEM CD..!! Same with XP SP3 integrated, it didn't work with the XP SP2 serial..!!
    So, if that key came for Win XP SP2 32-bit, or that computer came pre-installed with XP SP2 32-bit, then that is the only version of windows you should be able to install with that key only on THAT specific computer..!!
    I haven't done this in a while :D....So have a look at this....
     
    Andy, Jul 14, 2008
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  7. basskiddanny

    basskiddanny Notebook Evangelist

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    I didn't think that XP did any sort of tracking to determine which PC the OS has been installed one? Do you even have to activate XP? I haven't done a clean install of it for ages. Last thing was re-installing it on my Acer laptop with the recovery partition and I didnt have to activate anything...
     
    basskiddanny, Jul 14, 2008
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  8. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Re-installing through recovery-partitions does not require activation....
    The OEM serial is hard-coded into the motherboard (mostly), and will work for that same version, bit and PC....
    Install using that key, and at the activation screen try to activate through the net, and it should get activated..!!
     
    Andy, Jul 14, 2008
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  9. basskiddanny

    basskiddanny Notebook Evangelist

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    So could I get a copy of XP Home and do a fresh install on my Acer, then use the CD Key that came with it? If I get an OEM copy of XP Home that is, not retail...
     
    basskiddanny, Jul 14, 2008
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  10. steve p

    steve p Notebook Evangelist

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    OK here's the deal:
    I had a similar situation with a friends lappy that was dropped and the HD was damaged.
    He had lost all his documentation and all I knew is that it had XP Home from the key under it. I tried to install XP Home from a retail disk I had but using the key on the lappy's sticker would not be accepted during the install.
    So I temporarily used the key that came with my retail disk and then after XP was installed but before it was activated I changed the key using KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe (a MS utility that works in Windows) to change it to the one on the lappy. It worked like a charm.
    You can google it.
     
    steve p, Jul 14, 2008
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  11. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Yeah, that method is flying around in the Acer foum too.. :D

    You can do that, it should work, but the OEM serials WILL NOT work with retail cds....
    One would have to download a similar OEM CD (from a legal source obviously ;))
     
    Andy, Jul 14, 2008
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  12. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    The XP and Vista activation programs let you change the key as well.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 15, 2008
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  13. steve p

    steve p Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes I said that. The OEM key would not work with the retail disk. So I used the retail disk's key to install XP and then change the key from within Windows just before the activation to the OEM key on the lappy. All perfectly legal as far as I am concerned :) :) ;)
     
    steve p, Jul 15, 2008
    #13