Does WinXp Need A Specific CD Key?

[HiTek21]

my friend asked me for some help with his laptop. he lost his backup cd with the windows xp. I have my OEM Win XP CD. If I installed the software with my cd and used his Key on the laptop would this violate any laws?

 

[Pirotech]

yes, it would. After installing windows you need to activate it, and if you have already used this disk for windows installation on your computer it won't allow to activate another comp.

 

[corkyg]

It probably would not install. I had 3 legit copies of Win98, and each had a separate key ID. I could not install them except with the exact correct CD and matching ID. Any cross fertilization was rejected at the key ID entry point.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: Pirotech
yes, it would. After installing windows you need to activate it, and if you have already used this disk for windows installation on your computer it won't allow to activate another comp.

it should probably work fine, as his key is likely OEM.

It's not breaking EULA to use media on other PC's, only using the same LICENSE is breaking the EULA.

OP, this should be fine, as long as his key is OEM.

 

[dfuze]

nweaver is correct. I did the same thing, but used Windows 2000 for my laptop. It had a windows 2000 key sticker on it and I used a borrowed CD to install it. Works just fine.

 

[HiTek21]

Thank you very much guys thats what I needed to know

 

[Slackware]

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: Pirotech
yes, it would. After installing windows you need to activate it, and if you have already used this disk for windows installation on your computer it won't allow to activate another comp.

it should probably work fine, as his key is likely OEM.

It's not breaking EULA to use media on other PC's, only using the same LICENSE is breaking the EULA.

OP, this should be fine, as long as his key is OEM.

As long as it is the same version. it also depends on a whole heap of things but generally MS will allow it.

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: Pirotech
yes, it would. After installing windows you need to activate it, and if you have already used this disk for windows installation on your computer it won't allow to activate another comp.

it should probably work fine, as his key is likely OEM.

It's not breaking EULA to use media on other PC's, only using the same LICENSE is breaking the EULA.

OP, this should be fine, as long as his key is OEM.

QFT

I have one burnt copy with SP2 streamlined into it and 8 legit keys for all of my PC's...I keep all of my original disks unopened and stored away....much easier to replace a stuffed burnt copy than trying to get another original disk.

 

[KrillBee]

what if you have a computer that was purchased when sp2 was already out, but you try to use an older xp cd with sp1 for a reinstall. will that still work?

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: KrillBee
what if you have a computer that was purchased when sp2 was already out, but you try to use an older xp cd with sp1 for a reinstall. will that still work?

Usually, yes, as long as it is an OEM CD.

Some OEM licenses are very frickin stupid (read: HP) and will only work when installed using an HP OEM CD. Gateway licenses, for example, will install with any OEM CD (to date, I've tried Dell OEM CDs and the unbranded, newegg kind). It's hit or miss, really.

 

[Tom]

It isn't necessarily breaking any laws, but as pointed out, it may not work.

The law isn't decided by Microsoft, EULA isn't a law.

 

[JustStarting]

As said before.....

CD needs to match the TYPE of key used with it. You cannot cross-pollinate CD's and Keys😉

ie:

OEM CD will only work with OEM Key
Retail CD will only work with Retail Key
NFR CD will only work with NFR Key

... and it must be Home> Home or Pro> Pro.

You can use the same Retail CD to install XP on a million computers- as long as each computer has it's own unique legit Key code.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: JustStarting
As said before.....

CD needs to match the TYPE of key used with it. You cannot cross-pollinate CD's and Keys😉

ie:

OEM CD will only work with OEM Key
Retail CD will only work with Retail Key
NFR CD will only work with NFR Key

... and it must be Home> Home or Pro> Pro.

You can use the same Retail CD to install XP on a million computers- as long as each computer has it's own unique legit Key code.

yep i knew that much, im talking more about different brands and stuff.

 

[wraslor]

there should be no problem. I work at a local tech shop and we have a master xp pro and xp home discs just install and use the key from the customers computer works everytime as long as its home and home or pro and pro.