Problem with xp home

[Thorny]

I have a computer I want to sell but don't have the original disk to intall the OS. I have a valid product key on the side of the case. How can I install a fresh, LEGAL copy of xp home?

I have tried downloading a copy of xp home online, but the product key won't work, I'm guessing because its a different build. Is there a way to get a replacement cd from MS or can customer service help me in any way.

I also tried changing the product key after activation with a different key, but it would not accept the key.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[spherrod]

what type of computer is it? I would guess you have an OEM key and therefore need an OEM install to use the product key.

 

[Thorny]

yes, the key is oem. The oem disk will no longer work due to system upgrades. Cpu, graphics and memory have all been upgrade.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: thorny169
yes, the key is oem. The oem disk will no longer work due to system upgrades. Cpu, graphics and memory have all been upgrade.

In that case you need a whole XP.

 

[Thorny]

so in the process of upgrading my computer, I have invalidated my copy of xp? Something doesn't sound right about that.

 

[Evander]

If you know the manufacturer of the OEM cd, you should surely contact them.

Although not the same situation, I once lost my retail cd of win 95 (still had box and manual) and microsoft replaced it for a small fee when I contacted them

 

[Evander]

Another option, which you might already know, is to put your old gear temporarily into back into the system, reinstall OS, replace with upgraded hardware. Then maybe make a ghost image of that backed up on DVDR, and give it to the person you're selling to. Not sure of the legality of that, but it certainly seems like "fair use" to me

 

[cleverhandle]

This is why stripped-down manufacturer system restore disks suck, and why MS likes them. You haven't exactly invalidated your copy, but no one out there is responsible for providing you a media set that's actually usable with the hardware you now possess. i.e. You're screwed.

In many cases it's possible to basically recreate an original installation CD out of a system restore CD, but it's not a trivial process. Search around the forum for "slipstreaming" and "i386" and you should come up with some leads. I was talking with somebody about it here about a month or so back.

 

[Thorny]

I no longer have the original restore cd. Once I realized it was junk I threw it away, being that I had sold the old parts that had been upgraded. I have another version of xphome, but it must be a different build because the product key doesn't work. If I had the original install disk I could probably create my own disk now that I know how, but I didn't know how at the time I threw it away. What sucks is that I could try and download several different builds of xp home, but by the time I created a bootable cd with each of them it to try it would've been cheaper to just buy another copy

 

[cubby1223]

Regular OEM copies that are bought like through Newegg, these do not mind what hardware is in the machine, and all you'd need is to get a copy of the disk from anyone you know that has one.

But if it's an OEM copy from a vender like Dell, HP, etc., then you don't have much hope as those really are tied to that machine they are initially installed on. Guess why they sell for so cheap compared to building your own system?