Win XP Pro Question

[wisfal]

Hey, I'm building my friend a computer and he wants XP. I have XP Pro and the cd(full cd not the upgrade). I've seen on Pricewatch they have sites selling cd-keys to XP Pro. Should I get the cd-key or would it not work with my cd or would the cd-key be a one time use?

 

[rmrf]

the cd key is always a "one time use"

there are many bootlegged versions of xp floating around, I would recommend that your friend just bite the bullet and buy the oem version from newegg with a piece of hardware to make it legitimate.

 

[wisfal]

Well, with my cd-key, I can use it over and over again, why wouldn't I be able to do that same with a different one?

 

[rmrf]

you can use it over and over again, but you are only allowed to use it on one computer per M$. it is fine if you have to reinstall of something like that, then you have to use the key to get back up and running. however, you cannot use the key on your machine, then let your friend use it on his machine. but if I read the question right, you are asking if the key on pricewatch is a one-time-use type of thing. I would say not, and as long as only your friend is going to use it on his machine, it should be valid if he makes a hardware change and has to reactivate, or needs to reinstall for some reason.

hope this helps :beer:

 

[wisfal]

 

[wisfal]

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[MrChad]

Legally you can only use your CD key on your machine. Discussion of illegal uses of CD keys is forbidden around here.

If you are asking about purchasing a new CD key to use with your existing CD, then yes, that will work fine. I would be careful about the retailers you are shopping at (you don't want to get burned buying an invalid key). Like rmrf said, your best bet is to spring for the OEM version XP at a reputable retailer like NewEgg.