Windows XP Question

[HamHam]

Hello,

I want to reformat my Dell laptop which currently has XP home SP2 (from the factory), but I have lost my XP home SP 2 disc. Can I use a XP home SP 1 disc (OEM) with the XP key on the Dell laptop and then update to SP2? Will this work? Or will the key on the laptop only work with a SP2 disc?


Thanks

Hamilton

 

[CalvinHobbes]

The key is for the version of XP not the particular Service Pack. If the key is for XP home OEM it should work with any XP home OEM CD.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you call or message Dell's Support group, they'll likely express you a new OS recovery disk (bare XP) for free or at minimal charge.

If you use a generic OEM disk, you'll have to Activate it over the telephone with Microsoft, since Microsoft won't allow online Activation using the Key from a Dell, HP, or other large PC maker. If you use a Dell OEM disk, you won't have to Activate at all.

Before you reformat, print out all the Devices shown in Device Manager. It'll avoid guessing later when you need to load the drivers for all your laptop's devices.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
The key is for the version of XP not the particular Service Pack. If the key is for XP home OEM it should work with any XP home OEM CD.

The key is service pack specific also. You'd fail online activation, but calling a CS rep will get it done.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
The key is service pack specific also. You'd fail online activation, but calling a CS rep will get it done.

Only keys for the supplemental release of Service Pack 2 (a.k.a. SP2c) to address a shortage of product keys, and only XP Professional is affected.