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XP Pro Activation

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dajo

Senior member
Hello,

I have XP Pro on one machine and would like to install it to another machine. I understand that I need another XP Pro disk (or product key) and I plan to get one, but my question is this:

Can I go ahead and install the OS with my current disk and activate it with the key I get from the second XP Pro package? I'd like to start building the box now, install devices/drivers, software, etc.

I'll be able to activate it with the Product Key from the second XP Pro order, right?

Thanks!
 
You'll have to fine of the howtos that tell you how to change your key since it's not immediately obvious, but since you have 30 days to activate you should have plenty of time.
 
So, the installation is tied to this particular CD? How do COA licenses work, then?

Please read!
Let me state clearly that I am not attempting to avoid activation. Read my original post! I am going to order another XP Pro cd but would like to begin installation now with my current XP Pro cd. I merely want to know if I can use the product key I get from the one which will arrive next week to activate an installation from my first cd. Both cds are (will be) legally purchased versions. Nothing shady is going on here. I just want to know if I can begin now with the installation, or if it would be better to wait.

I don't really want to mess with changing keys and such. If that is the case I'll just wait for the second cd to arrive.
 
No, thanks to the dickheads at Microsoft.



At the office we installed the same Office XP key on 2 notebooks without realizing they were the same. Of course we couldn't figure out how to change the key and put in the correct one. So called up MSFT and said there wasn't a way to do it. Would have to uninstall and reinstall Office to do it.

So we had 4 notebooks and 1 desktop total and 5 copies of Office XP. Said we didn't know which p00ter had which copy of Office (they were just thrown in a pile by the folks who installed them) and asked how we can match the keys to the correct p00ter. She said it's not possible and that they would all have to be uninstalled/reinstalled.

Nice programming dickheads.
 
Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
No, thanks to the dickheads at Microsoft.



At the office we installed the same Office XP key on 2 notebooks without realizing they were the same. Of course we couldn't figure out how to change the key and put in the correct one. So called up MSFT and said there wasn't a way to do it. Would have to uninstall and reinstall Office to do it.

So we had 4 notebooks and 1 desktop total and 5 copies of Office XP. Said we didn't know which p00ter had which copy of Office (they were just thrown in a pile by the folks who installed them) and asked how we can match the keys to the correct p00ter. She said it's not possible and that they would all have to be uninstalled/reinstalled.

Nice programming dickheads.
Click to expand...

Of course Microsoft won't tell you how to view the product key on your Office XP installations... they're of the mindset that anyone who wants to view that information is trying to pirate their software.

There's a program called Magical Jelly Bean keyfinder ( http://www.magicaljellybean.com ) that lets you view the product key that you used to install the copy of Office XP onto the system. The program also works to get the product key of the system it's run on in all versions of Windows, and lets you change the product key for Windows 95, 98, ME, and XP. Doesn't work with Office 2000, but does get the product key you used for installing Office 97 and Office XP.

JW
 
Thank you for your responses. I'll check out the jellybean deal tomorrow. Now I have to face either messing with the intall key on the box or re-installing everything. I'll probably just start with a new reformat/install.

I still don't understand how the coa licenses I saw at some on-line vendors work, but, whatever...

Thanks again.
 
Originally posted by: dajo
Thank you for your responses. I'll check out the jellybean deal tomorrow. Now I have to face either messing with the intall key on the box or re-installing everything. I'll probably just start with a new reformat/install.

I still don't understand how the coa licenses I saw at some on-line vendors work, but, whatever...

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

The CD isn't tied to any particular license and product key (other than Retail products requiring a Retail product key, Upgrade versions require an Upgrade product key and OEM products requiring an OEM product key, IIRC). So you can have one physical copy of the CD, and then just buy licenses (the CoA's) for any other systems that you want to install the product on. Assuming the vendors are selling legit licenses, this is a valid way to install Windows on multiple systems legally.


JW
 
Originally posted by: JW310
Originally posted by: dajo
Thank you for your responses. I'll check out the jellybean deal tomorrow. Now I have to face either messing with the intall key on the box or re-installing everything. I'll probably just start with a new reformat/install.

I still don't understand how the coa licenses I saw at some on-line vendors work, but, whatever...

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

The CD isn't tied to any particular license and product key (other than Retail products requiring a Retail product key, Upgrade versions require an Upgrade product key and OEM products requiring an OEM product key, IIRC). So you can have one physical copy of the CD, and then just buy licenses (the CoA's) for any other systems that you want to install the product on. Assuming the vendors are selling legit licenses, this is a valid way to install Windows on multiple systems legally.


JW
Click to expand...

Yeah, exactly.

The problem with what you want to do is that you have to type in your CD key before you can even use WindowsXP at all... so until you know the CD key for the 2nd copy, you can't really do anything... unless you feel like changing the cd key later.

 
I still have 26 days to activate, so the machine is fully functional at this point. I just have to decide if I must stop with software installation, etc., with about 6 hours in the build or continue based on knowledge that activation with a valid key, but from another cd, will be possible.

This article details how to change the product id for specfiying a different key at registration:

Link

Let me reiterate for those who are just now reading this post that I am not seeking to avoid activation. I want to have two legitimate versions of XP Pro on two machines. I just don't want to continue the build if I'm going to have to start all over with a fresh reformat/install.

ps.
The version I have is OEM w/sp1 (from Newegg) is that makes any difference (the sp1 included part, I mean).
 
I'll be able to activate it with the Product Key from the second XP Pro order, right?
Click to expand...
Absolutely. The actual CD itself has no bearing on the activation as it's determined entirely by the product key you enter when you're installing the OS. If you have three CDs you can use any combination of them to install three copies but you simply use a different CD-key each time you install the OS.
 
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