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    Simple Question About Clean Installation

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by laptopbuy131, Dec 22, 2007.

  1. laptopbuy131

    laptopbuy131 Notebook Guru

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    can i used the product key on the bottom of my laptop when i install windows xp? i'm asking this because i borrowed a friends xp disc. do i use the magical jelly bean keyfinder?

    someone please help. thank you. :)

    i'm using a thinkpad t61.
     
    laptopbuy131, Dec 22, 2007
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  2. Buddybot111

    Buddybot111 Notebook Consultant

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    Yes you can use the key, just make sure its the same version of windows xp (i.e. home or pro)
     
    Buddybot111, Dec 22, 2007
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  3. laptopbuy131

    laptopbuy131 Notebook Guru

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    and i can use a retail cd version of windows xp?
     
    laptopbuy131, Dec 22, 2007
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  4. Buddybot111

    Buddybot111 Notebook Consultant

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    yes just again there are different kinds of xp (home, media, pro) make sure your key matches the retail cd version
     
    Buddybot111, Dec 22, 2007
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  5. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    uhm, wait a second.

    You probably cannot use the key on the bottom of your t61 with his CD if his CD is a retail version.

    There are actually multiple versions of each version (whoa, that is confusing)...let me try to straighten this out

    Windows XP Pro has:
    OEM edition
    Retail edition
    Upgrade Edition
    (as well as the corporate or Volume License)

    Windows XP Home has
    EOM
    Retail
    Upgrade

    Windows Media Center Edition has
    OEM version

    Also, some, but not all large manufacturers have windows XP cd's keyed to their hardware

    -----------------------------
    You should note that the key on the bottom of your machine will not match the key on your machine using magic jelly bean or other such programs, because they key on your machine is a special key linked to your laptop maker (lenova)

    --------------------------------

    You can probably use your cd-key on the bottom of your machine with a generic OEM Windows XP Pro CD.
     
    gerryf19, Dec 22, 2007
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  6. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    The install discs are pretty much all the same. It's the licenses that come with them that are different.
     
    Lithus, Dec 22, 2007
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  7. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    I'm sorry Lithus, that is just not accurate...well, at least as far as installation keys are concerned.

    Each "version" of Windows XP has a very specific product ID and each product ID has a specific group of cd-keys that goes with it.

    You cannot use a Retail key on a OEM cd--it simply will not accept it.

    Now, one can modify product IDs and use different cd-keys to install, but simply saying they are all pretty much the same is misleading.
     
    gerryf19, Dec 22, 2007
    #7