XP cd keys

i bought a computer a few months ago. it came with an install of windows xp but not a real xp installation disk. the manufacturer gave me a cd key and a rescue disk with the hard drive image that it was shipped with in case it ever crashed, etc.

well, now i just got a new motherboard and the image that they gave me has some kind of compatibility issue with the new mobo, so i had to reformat and reinstall using my dad's install disc, but it wont let me use the cd key that came with my computer, it will only accept the one that goes with dad's cd... i ended up using his key and i figured i'd have an opportunity to change it when it asked me to activate windows, but it wouldnt accept it then either.

i dont understand how this works, i see websites with cd key changing programs, tutorials on how to change your key, etc.(that wouldnt work for me) that seem to say that it doesnt matter what key you use as long as it's a valid windows cd key, but for me, it seems that it checks to make sure that your key goes with the cd im using to install: my key works fine with my rescue disk with the xp image, and dad's key works fine with the cd it came with, but if i try to swap em, it wont work. they're both installs of windows xp home, what gives? :confused:

are you installing the OS with the new motherboard? ah yes I see..... that happened to me. You have to install the OS with the orginial motherboard and then switch the HD to the new Motherboard, some manufactuer protection sys or something:confused: . At least that worked for me with my old HP! Hope this helps.

Windows CD keys are seperated into two branches:

OEM
Retail

Your Rescue Disc installs an OEM version of Windows XP (OEM CD). It only accepts an OEM XP Key.
Your Dad's Disc installs a Retail version of Windows XP (Retail CD). It only accepts a Retail XP Key.


That is why you aren't able to use either key at will. You have to put in the type of CD that key was created for. Also, when you call MS with a tech issue and they ask for your key, they can type it into their computers and see if you bought the Retail or OEM version, and they usually give you crappier support for OEM XP because they sell it for half the price of regular XP.

i just used the new mobo to do a fresh install of xp and everything worked. i guess my key is crap now, unless i can find another oem version of xp, i might look into that

Phonedog - not sure how old your system is or if warranty's expired, but you might contact who you bought the system from and let them know the change. Usually they're happy to install a fresh OEM onto your hd at minimal cost or free when you've bought a system from them.

You might be able to put your "old" computer back together, and then reinstall it from there. It would get past the booting problem for the CD, and then when you "upgrade" XP might just tell you "You have X upgrades left", etc. I'd think Microsoft would let you upgrade without trying to be greedy and take all of your money... Good luck with this and your video card issues.

Phonedog............you have my sympathies mate ;)

WinXP uses hardware configuration as a means pf preventing piracy. If you build OEM machines as I frequently do, the "proper" OEM disk will work, but I have to telephone Microsoft and get an activation code for major upgrades. I have NEVER had a problem with them to this day.

I think that your problem is that the manufacturer has created a mirror, that has "fixed" the hardware configuration. I would talk to them and to Microsoft and ask what to do. As I see it, you have paid for an OEM version, so they should send you a disk that is not hardware locked.

I know that Microsoft have a "deal" with the OEM manufacturers, such that they do not automatically provide a "raw" CD..................I do not know what the law is in Uruguay (?), but over here, they would have to fix the problem, as you are legally entitled to upgrade your hardware platform. Now, if no one told you that you could not do this, VERY CLEARLY when you made your purchase, your first recourse would be to the manufacturer/retailer (over here), then to Microsoft.

I do not have a problem with my customers, because I always give them the CD that I did the installation with, not a mirror of the installation AFTER I have installed it (I only do that after the required applications are in there:)). I even have my own label that I stick next to the Microsoft one that says do not remove this (MS) label as it may affect your support and ownership rights.

You certainly have the moral high ground, so get on the phone, Phonedog~........ :D

Sorry about that (not) please feel free to neg me as appropriate..............but if you do continue to have problems please PM me and I will see what I can do

Good Luck

sounds good ill give ms a call ;)

Hey, because I'm about to buy a new computer...

What exactly is the difference between a OEM version and a retail version?
I'm asking this because my sister's computer (HP) did not come with the installation cds.

Is it still possible with Windows XP to simply format your drive and start all over again with the installation cd that comes with it? And to keep using the same CD key?
Like you would install Win98?

I don't want to call microsoft or use some shitty recovery cd when I mess things up...

el-half, OEM versions do not contain the full operating systems and are not usually usable on a different system than the one they came with. Retail versions will work with any system because they have no idea what system you will be installing them on.

A laptop I purchased through PC Club had the retail version come with it, and a utility disk with all the drivers that would be needed. It will work with some other keys, but not all of them ( this I don't understand?), but the disk I got when I bought a Dell will only work with a Dell, and I don't know if it will accept any other (yet).

I have access to a full retail version of XP with a valid key, but haven't had tha opertunity to try it in any other machines except the one it was bought for.

El-half > HP PC's don't come (anymore) with recovery CD's. They have a special partition that contains all the recovery stuff, and you need to boot from that partition to restore your system.
In one of the menu's in Windows, though, you'll find an option to create the rescue DVD/CD's (6 of them, I believe).

An OEM (original equipment manufacturer) version is a version that can only be distributed with new PC's. Your sister's HP comes with OEM-recovery, but HP is too lazy to burn you the actual disks. OEM CD's usually only work on the PC they were provided with. If you have the actual OEM CD, it's just a matter of booting off the disk, and your PC will be restored to factory settings. In the case of HP, you have the choice between booting from the recovery partition, or burning the CD's yourself and booting from them.

Also, recovery disks usually don't require you to activate Windows - you don't even need a key.

Negative, yes I know, it has a recovery partition, I hate it, it's a waste of diskspace.
So I should not buy an OEM version then?

EDIT: I have a Win98 OEM cd, if I screw things up I simply format my drive and install it and all drivers that also came with the pc on a cd again.

el-half,

The OEM Cd is cheaper (about 25%?), and I use them because it does not matter, and I am the OEM.

In the old days, an OEM copy would not "naturally" support dual booting (unless you bitched to MS:)) as you already had an OS on the box so it wasn't "new"

The big boys turn out millions of computers a year and probably pay around 15% of what I do for a straight OEM version. Mine will let me install on any PC that I build, no matter what components are there. I am not supposed to install on a machine that already has an OS on it.

The big boys have a deal with MS so they don't give you the true OS..........just the ability to return to where you were.

As for Win98..................yes I could install on a thousand machines from one CD..........with XP OEM I could probably get away with about 4.........due to the "activation" requirement. I do NOT cheat, because I have no need to, and it would be very wrong in my eyes.

Now, picture HP and the likes selling millions that could be pirated up to 4 times............? you see why they do it like this now?

Cheers

Of course I understand why they do it, I just don't like the corporate West. Well...it's an unavoidable thing in a capitalist economy so one shouldn't whine about this...

But with an OEM version...I will not be able to simply reïnstall without calling Microsoft for a new cd key?

The OEM XP CD you can buy from places like newegg.com are pretty much 100% equivilent to the retail CD, just 50% cheaper and with generally crappier phone support from MS. Provided you can solve issues on your own instead of resorting to calling MS to have them tell you you're stupid and it is your fault that Windows "broke" you loose nothing by buying the OEM XP CD. It works just like regular Windows XP, etc.


But when you talk about OEM and HP/Compaq, their versions are more "crippled" than regular OEM versions. And they get their licensees for much cheaper than you ever will because of their deals with MS... Usually when I am pricing cheap computers to build, the OS is what causes my build to go over the price of computers at cheap places like OfficeDepot, etc. If I just installed Linux, I could piece together a higher quality cheap machine for the equivilent price, but I can't really sell builds like that since everyone wants Windows :(

el-half,

Tim is right, you will be better off (financially) with the OEM version as it is virtually identical to the retail one. It does not come in a fancy box with a glossy manual:) and the support might not be as good.

That said, I have never had any problems with MS support for OEM machines, not that I have ever really needed any.

One point: there are Two codes:

1. The CD Key, this is on a holographic label that you are supposed to stick on the machine.
2. The activation code...........the OS will run for 28 or 30 days then die if you do not get this code. You normally get it online, but in the UK you can just ring up MS and key in the CD key and a bot will give you an activation code.

Normally you can "repair" the system without ever having to contact MS.............I have only had to do it after major upgrades and a complete format and re-instal.

My advice is to save your "beer vouchers" (Euros) and get the OEM one.

Cheers

Thanks, I will not be installing windows XP myself as I will buy a custom computer which is build by the store (I have no experience in doing this myself so...), I suppose they will give all the cds right?

If your computer is built by Compaq, HP, Dell, etc., then yes it will pretty much always come with Windows XP.

But if someone else builds it, you'll probably have to pay some more money to install it. But you'd probaby be safer if you bought a known legitimate version of XP from a reputable company like NewEgg or other big online names that ship in your area, etc., than to trust that some random person to use the money to buy a legitimate copy of XP instead of taking your money and running off after installing a pirated version.


Then again, I do all of my computer builds myself. I haven't done too many due to money constraints, but when I get down and dirty in my hardware I really get messy. (Pin-mod, Volt-mod, Cutting, Soldering, Bending, to name a few...)

ok first about that CD is it an OEM CD or is it just a ghost image of the os because if its a ghost disk it wont install because of the hardware change.

Next XP home disk only uses the key that came with it So if you are using a CD KEY changer on the xp home u are S@#t out of luck. you see the CD key changer is only good on xp corprate disks and 2003 server.

Also I dont recommend you entering an unotherized key, you could get into trouble for that.


i dont think your computer retailer will honor your computer any more because you are not A+ certified. meaning you voided the warrenty now they wont help you. Maybe you should burn linux and install that instead LOL

el-half,

You said you were buying from a store, so you should be OK. They should give you:

Windows XP CD............this will have fancy holograms on it. On the data side in the inner ring there will be a hologram that flips between "microsoft" and "genuine"

There should be a Label on the computer case: Microsoft XP Professional 1-2 CPU and a product key xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx.

There should also be a small glossy booklet.

Don't accept a machine without the CD and the label.

Cheers