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Built my own after having a Dell...need help with XP

T

TahoeMax

Senior member
I just built a new rig after owning a Dell for 2 years. I'm still using the same HDD, though, so i need to know what i need to do now, since windows is forcing me to put in an activation code. I know the code from my Dell won't work anymore. I have a couple XP upgrades laying around from previous systems...but it's not recognizing them. Do I need to buy yet ANOTHER upgrade? Or do I have to get a full version? Thanks in advance

~Max
 
If you have other upgrade copies of XP, and if they are installed on no other computers, you can use the cd & cd key from that upgrade copy to install on your new machine.

Retail cd keys are not accepted by Dell install disks, you have to use the retail cd.
 
so wait...if i get a retail upgrade, I can't just input the new key to activate and move on? do i have to reinstall the whole thing? And will just the upgrade be adequate?
 
I see what you're doing now - you've come across the grey area where it's a real pain trying to do things the legit way. I think the only option you have is to re-install Windows from scratch to move from an oem copy to a retail copy.
 
You'll have to do a "Repair Installation" (or, if you wish, a Full Installation) of Windows XP to get the "Retail" version onto the PC and be able to use the Retail activation key. You can't use a Retail key to activate an OEM version of XP.

Repair Installations can NORMALLY be done without loss of data or installed programs. That said, if you do it without first making a backup of your important data, you are crazy.

Technically speaking, I'd think that the "Retail Upgrade" version of XP will install on your old hard drive on top of the old OEM version without asking for further proof of license.
 
well, i just talked with someone else who thought that microsoft could maybe convert the license. i'm not sure when an old PC becomes a new PC and thus loses its license. When i boot the system, it still calls itself "Max's Dell", and there are, in fact, parts from the Dell still in there (only the HDD and the CD-ROM, but even so...). i guess i'll give them a call on Monday to see if they can free up my license again. i'd really rather not buy yet another copy of XP...i've already bought 2 and watched them become useless on technicalities.
 
If you do buy another one, consider just getting non-OEM full version. That's the end of technicalities and grey areas. You can move it from computer to computer. Granted, it's $220 for XP Pro, which is enough money to make a dent in your pizza budget 🙁 But that's only $20 more than Upgrade, if I remember correctly, so hey.

At this point, I would hold off on an upgrade until Windows Vista comes out, however. If you're going to dish out $200-$300 for a retail OS, you might as well do so at the beginning of the 10-year support lifecycle 🙂
 
i was considering that. if i have to buy one, i'll just use my laptop until Vista comes around. i'll have to get a usb mouse, though. i hate this touchpad.
 
You don't really have to buy a new license or copy of XP.

Simply call microsoft and they will activate it for you. Just give them a call and find a way to bypass the automated system and get a person on the phone.
 
yeah, they're closed for the weekend. i'm gonna call them on monday. i've got a number for reaching actual people. i'm crossing my fingers that i'll be able to understand the person on the other end. god bless outsourcing 😛
 
They should be available 24/7

Once you reboot your pc and are asked for activation, just click on the activate over the phone option and select your location, it will give you the numbers to call.
 
okay. after many phone calls they seem to be generating me a new product key and retiring the old one. here's to hoping
 
yeah, although i had to talk to like 7 different representatives to get it. they kept suggesting i talk to their professional help people for $35, but finally i found someone who confirmed me with no hassles.
 
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