xp cd key- does it work for any copy of xp

[lockmac]

Hi.

Just wandering, say for example I have COA for XP.

Will this CD Key work for any version of Windows XP Pro (e.g. one that has SP2 preintalled, or SP3 preinstalled, or the very first version that came out, or will it only work for the product that it came with (e.g. XP with SP3)?

Cheers

 

[corkyg]

If it is used on the machine it came with, it should work with any copy of the same flavor of XP.

 

[masteryoda34]

Many OEMS such as Dell and HP have their own range of CD Keys that are incompatible with media other than that from the OEM.

 

[13Gigatons]

If it's a retail key then you need retail CD and if it's a OEM key then you need OEM CD.

The service pack level usually doesn't affect the key unless the key was blacklisted.

 

[masteryoda34]

The best bet is to take your original CD and slipstream SP3 and any other updates into it.

 

[mozirry]

Just to chime in, I actually have had issues using my XP Pro service pack 2 CD with the original release of XP Pro. I believe you can use either CD key to activiate windows but where I've had the issues is with online automatic authorization. I've had to call it in.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Originally posted by: masteryoda34
Many OEMS such as Dell and HP have their own range of CD Keys that are incompatible with media other than that from the OEM.

Well... my friends laptop caught on fire, it's about 4 years old. I took the cdkey from it and installed Windows XP Home in a VM using my OEM Windows XP cd key and it worked... Doesn't agree with the EULA but oh well.

There are hacks out there to modify your Windows XP disk to change from Retail Home to OEM Home and others as well.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: mozirry
Just to chime in, I actually have had issues using my XP Pro service pack 2 CD with the original release of XP Pro. I believe you can use either CD key to activiate windows but where I've had the issues is with online automatic authorization. I've had to call it in.

This has been my experience. To work for online activation, the style(oem/retail, home/pro...) as well as the SP level need to be the same for seamless activation.

 

[mizzou]

i have 2 XP pro cds. one I bought at school w/ student deal. The other off newegg. I get the activation keys mixed up, and no, I can't use either CD key for either XP activation.


I CAN however, call Microsoft and force them to accept one or the other. I get them mixed up!

 

[mizzou]

Just to chime in, I actually have had issues using my XP Pro service pack 2 CD with the original release of XP Pro. I believe you can use either CD key to activiate windows but where I've had the issues is with online automatic authorization. I've had to call it in.

yes, this +1

 

[SparkyJJO]

Many OEMS such as Dell and HP have their own range of CD Keys that are incompatible with media other than that from the OEM.

Totally incorrect. OEM is OEM is OEM. I have reloaded enough Dells, HPs, emachines, etc from the same generic XP OEM disc to know this. Mfrs don't have their own CD key ranges.

There are only 3 types of keys for XP Pro, and 2 for XP Home: Pro Retail, Pro OEM, and Pro Volume (like for a corporation), and Home Retail, and Home OEM. That's it.

 

[JackMDS]

You people are trying to find one solid rule in issue that does not have a solid rule.

During the years there is shifting in policies, business models, and business relations.

So sometimes any OEM works but many times it does not.

Some times it is totally attached to specific hardware and sometimes Not.

On the other hand VinylxScratches solution is illegal and why he is so delighted to publicly admitting it?????

 

[RebateMonger]

Many OEMS such as Dell and HP have their own range of CD Keys that are incompatible with media other than that from the OEM.

Dell and HP Keys were never intended to be used, anyway. Major-brand OEM XP Install disks look for the manufacturer's special code in the BIOS and never ask for a Key. They've been banned from online Activation for four years now. People were going to Best Buy, reading the Key from an HP, and using the Key to Activate OEM XP on their own PC.