Windows XP serials and Recovery CDs

[essential]

Alright, i'm confused on this one. I got an open box laptop from circuit city, and it had windows xp home preinstalled and a valid product key sticker on the bottom of the unit, but since it was an open box item, i didn't get any CDs with it. I wanted to format and re-do XP, and I have a windows xp home oem cd i bought from newegg. I called Toshiba to double check if i could reuse the serial on the bottom of the laptop since it was the same machine, but just use my other windows xp home installation cd to install windows (not use the product key that came with the oem cd). They told me no because that key could only be used with Toshiba products, so i'd need to buy a reinstallation cd from them for $40.

Is this true that there are differences in installation CDs, and that the computer can tell? I don't want to pay $40 to get the same disc I already have except it doesn't say Toshiba on it, i have a valid serial number for that laptop, and Microsoft says one per machine, so does it matter what installation CD I use? I just don't want to get locked out of the machine, i haven't formatted yet cause I wasn't sure.


Thanks.

 

[Lepard]

I dont think it matters what installation CD you use as long as it is an OEM cd. When it asks for the product key enter the one that is labeled on the laptop.

Also, make sure to activate it and it should go through.

Legally I dont know if its ok, but it should be.

 

[essential]

well, the laptop has it's own serial number, so i don't think there any legal issues, i just wasn't sure if the serial wouldn't work because it might be able to tell it wasn't a "toshiba" restore cd.

thanks.

 

[Lepard]

Originally posted by: essential
well, the laptop has it's own serial number, so i don't think there any legal issues, i just wasn't sure if the serial wouldn't work because it might be able to tell it wasn't a "toshiba" restore cd.

thanks.

You'll be fine. I recently did it to my Toshiba Laptop (S1014 i believe). Activation and everything went perfect.

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

OEM's lie constantly about what installation media you need. It's a joke. There was a guy in another thread with a similar problem and he was told he'd have to buy the installation CD too.

I think this is one of the only times where it is legal to download an XP disc from the net if need be 😀

 

[corkyg]

Many OEMs today no longer provide recovery or restore CDs. They use a hidden partition on the hard drive that contains the necessary files. Be sure and check that with your retailer.

 

[CaptnKirk]

I used a XP OEM CD to restore a corrupted and botched user attempt to re-install XP Home on a friends HP that had the 'Original Sticker'.

The repair partition had been removed during the first repair attempt.

I went ahead and installed the replacement OpSys and entered the Product Key from the sticker on the case,
and when it restarted it came up with a screen that listed a 'Changed Product ID Code'
and a telephone number for support.

Calling that number, reading off the first 6 digits ot the presented code, and explaining the problem to the service rep
resulted in the service rep getting his supervisor (Banglore, India) to approve issuing a replacement code for the HP Box.

Should be no different than that situation. You might even get the 'Automatic Angel' which will respond to voice data input & make it work.

 

[cubby1223]

Almost every OEM computer can have Windows XP reinstalled using a normal OEM cd from Newegg.

But are you asking if all recovery cds are the same? No, they're not, they vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some are just the plain XP OEM cd. Some are the XP OEM cd filled with the device drivers for the hardware in the computer. And others are an image that gets copied over to the hard drive complete with all device drivers and pre-loaded software.

 

[CaptnKirk]

I had built a system for a friend of mine from work, and when they moved across town his wife had 'helped' him by putting
all his CD discs together, storing the papers (like the sticker and the Key Code) in a box . . . 'somewhere' in the garage.

When his computer got infected by a virus and it corrupted his OpSys, he had the original OEM disc, but no Product Key.
We were able to verify through NewEgg his purchase date - which included his component buy & his OEM software buy,
and NewEgg furnished a Microsoft Contact Service Number to call and talk to the Special Service Representative,
and by giving them the disc data & build numbers on the face of the disc, they (Microsoft) provided a replacement Product Key . . .


. . . and everyone lived happily, everafter.

 

[essential]

yea, i think i'm just going to use the windows xp home edition oem cd i got from newegg to format and install windows, and i'll use the serial number from the sticker on the back of the laptop, and i guess at worst i will be given that number to call and explain my situation.

thanks everyone.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Originally posted by: essential
yea, i think i'm just going to use the windows xp home edition oem cd i got from newegg to format and install windows, and i'll use the serial number from the sticker on the back of the laptop, and i guess at worst i will be given that number to call and explain my situation.

thanks everyone.

THat should work out just fine, but check back in with the results.

 

[essential]

everything worked out ... i installed with the newegg oem windows home cd, and when i went to register windows, it needed to revalidate. i had to call the number, the automated system could not validate it, so i spoke to a person, they validated it for me with no issues or questions beyond the product key, system information (model number, etc.) and reason for formatting the machine. the laptop is up and running, working great. thanks for all your input.