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    Reinstallation of Windows XP and Licensing

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by mutammim, Nov 7, 2006.

  1. mutammim

    mutammim Newbie

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    Hi guys,

    I just had abt enough of Acer tech support.... Here's the story...

    I wanted to do a fresh install of Win XP Home. I've a copy of Win XP Home SP2 OEM cd. I asked the Acer tech if I could install by using that CD with the license no. at the botton of my Aspire notebook. The Aspire came with XP Home SP2.

    This is what the tech replied,

    "Dear Sir/Mdm,

    The license product key below is the one meant for the default Windows OS
    OEM which came bundle with this unit only.
    Using an Installation Windows OS CD with the notebook product key will not
    work & will be prompted as invalid or not genuine for WGA for Windows
    updates.

    As advised, please use the product key from the Windows OS CD you are
    installing unless the copy is a pirated copy."

    Now comes my question, is what he replied true? I'm gonna use the OEM CD of the same XP version and SP update, so I don't see why I can't use the CD for the fresh install.

    Could someone please shed some light into this.
     
    mutammim, Nov 7, 2006
    #1
  2. iOsiris

    iOsiris Notebook Evangelist

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    As long as its the same type of Windows its fine. Its worth noting that if the original Windows wasn't an OEM version, the key on the bottom of your laptop wouldn't work with your OEM copy. They actually do use different sets of keys for the OEM/non-OEM versions.
     
    iOsiris, Nov 7, 2006
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  3. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    What the tech told you is true. You cannot use that OEM license with anything other than the CD they provided. You also cannot use that OEM license and CD on any other computer (check the EULA and any Acer agreements to make sure).

    You can use your personal OEM XP CD with the key that came with it (your copy, not the one Acer provided), but if that key is currently in use, you must uninstall that copy of XP before installing it on your Acer. If, however, that copy was provided with another computer you purchased (in this example, let's say Dell), then you cannot use it with your Acer, as it probably falls under the same sort of restriction (I know for a fact that Dell OEM OS disks cannot be used on anything other than the computer it came installed on).

    Welcome to the world of OEM software. Now you know why it's cheaper than retail versions.
     
    kegobeer, Nov 7, 2006
    #3