what CD does my CD KEY need? WINXPHOME

[ViviTheMage]

I have a Sony laptop, with XP HOME SP1 (cause thats the default SP it installed at) and i REALLY hate the crap sony has on it, so I want to install a totaly CLEAN install , but I want to use this CD KEY , because its legit and I have the COA. What can I do to know what CD key I have (what CD I need) and can i just download a copy of XP HOME SP1 or SP2 and install using this CD KEY?

thanks, let me know!

 

[thehstrybean]

I think you have to have the original CD, ie you can't download it. Samething with my HP, but they didn't put crap on the actual OS CD. It's on a seperate Apps/Drivers CD. Just my knowledge on the matter.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Yeah, I have seen many laptops come with OS certified CDs then have the apps and drivers on a seperate CD/DVD. Is there a way to check what type of CD Key this is? OEM/RETAIL or what? It came with the laptop, thats about all I know. Any ideas or direction would be great!

 

[mike3uz]

All laptops that have the os preinstalled is an oem copy. Sometimes Sony may put a 4 to 5 gb restore partition also. I hope this helps.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: mike3uzSometimes Sony may put a 4 to 5 gb restore partition also. I hope this helps.

Yeah, they had that..but it was in 3 partitions and it was a horrible waste of space, so I reainstalled with a version of XP PRO and now I feel stupid for having a legit key on the bottom of my laptop not being able to use it...can I at all ?

 

[talyn00]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: mike3uzSometimes Sony may put a 4 to 5 gb restore partition also. I hope this helps.

Yeah, they had that..but it was in 3 partitions and it was a horrible waste of space, so I reainstalled with a version of XP PRO and now I feel stupid for having a legit key on the bottom of my laptop not being able to use it...can I at all ?

Did it come with any system restore CDs? And didn't you have a legit key for Windows XP Pro when you installed it?

 

[ViviTheMage]

It didnt come with any cds at all. It's a pirated key (the xp pro installed now) and I dont want to keep it on here if I can use that HOME cd ket that came with the laptop, I am just CD-LESS!

 

[TG2]

Most likely youll need an OEM Windows XP Home CD to work with your XP Home COA on the bottom of the lappy

 

[John]

Originally posted by: TG2
Most likely youll need an OEM Windows XP Home CD to work with your XP Home COA on the bottom of the lappy

Correct. 🙂

 

[corkyg]

John is right - in general, laptop OEMs stopped providing CDs with the OS a couple of years ago. Instead, they put it on a hidden partition of the HDD. Yeah - that's dumb! How does one access it when the HDD fails and has to be replaced.

So - I would suggest you call Sony and have them send you a replacement that matches your Key ID.

 

[TLW]

I have an old Sony VAIO laptop which used to have an OEM copy preinstalled...

now without wanting to go off on oneSony are the spwn of satan himself when it comes to fixing problems, mine spent about half of it's first year in the sony centre being "repaired" - in the end id had enough and then when they sent it back the last time after the rescue disks wouldn't install with a note saying "disk 1 is broken" and nothing donw about it i gave up and bought a custom built desktop, best descision i ever made😀

anyway, the poitn is, i have an OEM windows disk and two OEM keys, i've since used the same windows disk to install XP SP2 on several computers using their own legitimate keys, even the one on my laptop, so you should be able to use an OEM windows disk with your OEM Product Key🙂

 

[corkyg]

:thumbsup:

 

[ViviTheMage]

I just need a CD! roar...can someone give me a copy? or send it? haha