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XP Pro and MCE 2005 keys interchangeable?

G

Gonad the Barbarian

Lifer
I know Home & Pro aren't, but didn't know if MCE 2005 had it's own unique keys as well. I have a laptop I'm trying to fix with a legit MCE 2005 key but no media and I'm not sure I can "acquire" it. I do have a Pro disc though.
 
Nowadays, when I get a MCE 2005 computer for hard drive replacement, I install Windows 7 Home Premium on it. That avoids issues with drivers, with install CDs, with DVD codecs, and DVD playing software. Everybody I've done that for has been very happy with the result. The trouble and cost and MUCH longer install time for MCE easily justifies the $100 for Win7 OEM or Retail Upgrade.
 
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Edit to my original post:

I could be wrong about using MCE Keys on XP Professional. It might work if your XP Professional disk is OEM. If it allows the install, you'll likely need to call Microsoft to do the Activation. You may have to just try it unless you can find somebody who's actually done it. An Internet search found both "yes" and "no" answers.

In any event, as long as you have at least 1 GB of memory, I still recommend considering a Win7 Home Premium upgrade.
 
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It's not my laptop, just trying to get it working for a customer. It's 5 years old, beaten to hell, with a shot battery, and has had at least one serious hardware problem (corrupt video at the Bios screen.) It really belongs in the trash, but the guy loves it because it's shiny and has blue lights. The guy who "fixed" it before me (I'm told by replacing the hard drive) put a cracked copy of Win7 on it that stopped booting. I'll give the Pro installation a shot if it comes down to it.
 
My understanding is the the installation program asks for two extra files on a second disc when you use an MCE key instead of a Pro/Home key.
 
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