WinXP Product Key

[Azndude51]

I have a problem, I need to install Windows XP on my new computer for a LAN party tonight. I can get really cheap, legitamate, licensed copies from my university; however the place where I can buy them is not open this week. Would I be able to use my old WinXP then change the product key to a new one when I register? or will I have to reinstall with the new product key? Can I even install Windows with the old CD on my new computer?

 

[Navid]

You can install and not activate and use the PC for a month. You have a month to activate.

Then, if the new CD you get is the same as the one you used, you should be able to use the key from the new CD to activate. I mean if both CDs are retail, or if both are OEM. But, if one is retail and one is OEM, I am not sure if you will run into problems or not.

But, if that happens, the worst thing that can happen is that you have to re-install.

Edit:
Registration has nothing to do with it. You do not have to register at all.
But, you have to activate.
As i said, you have a month to activate. It is the activation that needs a key, not registration.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Navid
You can install and not activate and use the PC for a month. You have a month to activate.

Then, if the new CD you get is the same as the one you used, you should be able to use the key from the new CD to activate. I mean if both CDs are retail, or if both are OEM. But, if one is retail and one is OEM, I am not sure if you will run into problems or not.

But, if that happens, the worst thing that can happen is that you have to re-install.

Edit:
Registration has nothing to do with it. You do not have to register at all.
But, you have to activate.
As i said, you have a month to activate. It is the activation that needs a key, not registration.

Like he said, you have a month to activate. To change to the key that you purchase, go to "Activate Windows" and select the telephone option. It will let you change your key at that point.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: Navid
You can install and not activate and use the PC for a month. You have a month to activate.

Then, if the new CD you get is the same as the one you used, you should be able to use the key from the new CD to activate. I mean if both CDs are retail, or if both are OEM. But, if one is retail and one is OEM, I am not sure if you will run into problems or not.

But, if that happens, the worst thing that can happen is that you have to re-install.

Edit:
Registration has nothing to do with it. You do not have to register at all.
But, you have to activate.
As i said, you have a month to activate. It is the activation that needs a key, not registration.

Like he said, you have a month to activate. To change to the key that you purchase, go to "Activate Windows" and select the telephone option. It will let you change your key at that point.

If he doesn't attempt to activate in the first place, there will be nothing to change. He will just activate when he gets his new key.

 

[mechBgon]

Big picture: make sure your system is patched, firewalled, and armed with antivirus software before you let it run around at the LAN party.

edit: a scan with Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer could be a smart idea btw.

 

[sonoma1993]

you can just buy an additonal product key from microsoft, you can get one from there website. it cost like $89

 

[BW86]

I've been using a new copy of windows xp i bought from newegg for about 4 months now and they havent asked me to activate anything. Whats with that?

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: Navid
You can install and not activate and use the PC for a month. You have a month to activate.

Then, if the new CD you get is the same as the one you used, you should be able to use the key from the new CD to activate. I mean if both CDs are retail, or if both are OEM. But, if one is retail and one is OEM, I am not sure if you will run into problems or not.

But, if that happens, the worst thing that can happen is that you have to re-install.

Edit:
Registration has nothing to do with it. You do not have to register at all.
But, you have to activate.
As i said, you have a month to activate. It is the activation that needs a key, not registration.

Like he said, you have a month to activate. To change to the key that you purchase, go to "Activate Windows" and select the telephone option. It will let you change your key at that point.

If he doesn't attempt to activate in the first place, there will be nothing to change. He will just activate when he gets his new key.

He needs a key to install windows. He will have to change that key when he activates. I am missing your point.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: timswim78

He needs a key to install windows. He will have to change that key when he activates. I am missing your point.

You are right. I wasn't thinking! Thanks.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: BW86
I've been using a new copy of windows xp i bought from newegg for about 4 months now and they havent asked me to activate anything. Whats with that?

You must have activated!

Download this and run it. It will tell you if your XP is activated or not. If activated, it will also tell you how many items you have changed since activation.

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: BW86
I've been using a new copy of windows xp i bought from newegg for about 4 months now and they havent asked me to activate anything. Whats with that?

You must have activated!

Download this and run it. It will tell you if your XP is activated or not. If activated, it will also tell you how many items you have changed since activation.

Gives me this error..

(a) You are not running a volume-licensed version or OEM release of Windows XP.
(b) You have not activated your installation of Windows XP yet.

Well I know it's activated by using this, %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a. Dont know how it got activated though.