Generic XP OEM CD With eMachines Product Key

[owensdj]

I need to reinstall Windows XP Home on an eMachines computer, but the owner lost all of the eMachines restore CDs. Would the install program on a "generic" Windows XP Home OEM CD accept the Windows XP Home Product Key on the eMachines case?

 

[Kartajan]

it will, but you will probably have to call MS to activate due to anti- piracy efforts that have been started in response to rampant theft of OEM keys.

I do not know if eMachines has any real support presence anywhere, but you could try to contact them for new restore CD's.. (Probably be able to purchase a replacement for some kind of minimal charge..)

 

[owensdj]

Kartajan, thanks for the reply. eMachines does offer replacement restore CDs, but they're way overpriced, in my opinion, at $20.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: owensdj
Kartajan, thanks for the reply. eMachines does offer replacement restore CDs, but they're way overpriced, in my opinion, at $20.

Believe me when I say that those disks are well worth the $20. You aren't going to want to have "Genuine Windows" issues every time you want to download something from Microsoft. Nor have to call in every time you need to restore Windows.

Also, some vendors will REFUSE to sell you a restoration CD set after your warranty has expired. Or they will charge a really exhorbitant price. I was told by a client that Gateway wanted $300 for a system recovery CD set for their out-of-warranty PC.

Some PCs have the option to make your own recovery CDs. Did you check the eMachines manual or support site to see if you have that option?

 

[tedhbrown]

I'd just do a fresh install with a clean XP OEM disk. This way you arn't getting bogged down with crappy emachines software, and you don't have weird "recovery" partitions made. The most you'll have to do is call microsoft and get a confirmation ID number. I do it about 10 times a week at work because I use slipstreamed disks when installing windows on a customer's computer.

 

[UMfanatic]

the genuine tool isnt an issue, it still cant detect if it is running on multiple machines which is pretty sad, although Norton can now detect it, either that or they are refusing to believe that I have reformatted so many times (which is actually the truth do to upgrades and some conflicts) but the cds are worth it, because it will give you back the original cd key or a new one of your very own at the least.

 

[ivwshane]

I tried using a win xp home oem cd to reinstall the OS on a dell inspiron and the cd key dell provided did not work.

The pid of the cd was:

Pid=55277000