Windows XP Reinstall

oasis13

Hi,
I recently decided that i wanted to reinstall XP as i bought a quicker harddrive and i wanted to fully clean the system again - XP has not be reinstalled since i bought it, 3 years ago!

Anwyay, on top of my computer is a sticker which has a license number on it and its also OEM. Unfortunately, the XP i have on disc is SP1. I found an article on the net telling me how to streamline SP2 onto my installation disk, but when trying to do this i realised my disc is scratched beyond help.

Is it true that with windows its not the disk that counts, but the license? In that case would it be okay to download a windows disk from a slightly *dodgy* site and then use my serial number which i legitamely paid for?

Anway, i have already done that

But now comes the real question - the XP i downloaded is XP Home RETAIL. Will this still work considering i have an OEM license? Also, when during the installation of windows is the serial number asked for?

Thanks!

PS - someone told me to be wary of WPA which only allows you to make some changes after your first install. I have added a new hard drive and an extra 512mb of RAM - will this be a problem?

intel

The main problem with downloading XP is that its more than likely bundled
with spyware and viruses and keyloggers you really should of got a copy
from ebay (genuine) second hand and no you can use the XP key with OEM or
second hand.

You installed XP on the other machine, now you get a pop up saying please register XP, go to register it but DO IT BY PHONE when you get through to an operator tell them you replaced the hard drive and the motherboard and that you cant register the XP disc they will talk you through some steps so it can be registered, One thing to make sure of is to have the PCs product key handy it should be a label that is on the side or under the PC you are fixing.

oasis13

Is the product label just the XP license? My computer was built by a friend so its a not a DELL or anything like that...

Also, would the license work with a Pro disk?

I also really dont want to have to pay again, i have already payed once for the license!

intel

If the disk is scratched why dont you try cleaning it first by polishing
with brasso on a clean duster the go over with some car wax in a circular
motion or take to a shop that will repair the disk.

oasis13

I will try that - however i do need to get some brasso first! Also, when is the serial number asked for in the installation?

intel

When its setting up now that will be the serial number on the label
but because you changes the HDD you may be prompted for the activation key
and thats when to phone MS up and they will give you a new key.

cundall

intel wrote:

When its setting up now that will be the serial number on the label
but because you changes the HDD you may be prompted for the activation key
and thats when to phone MS up and they will give you a new key.

not so, M$ will allow you to reinstall your same copy of windows xp as it's only a hard drive (when you contact them tell them it was a failure) if it was a motherboard then its classed as a new install and as such should have a new copy of xp. If you contact M$ before you install XP and email them your S/N and tell them about the new hard drive they will update the database and allow you to use the SAME KEY to activate the software online.

A little tip is that if you activate a copy of xp online you can install it again on another pc and then activate over the phone. This should not be done (just to cover myself as i dont want bill knocking on my door) though i have seen it done.

oasis13

i still have the old hard drive which i am using for data but i am putting xp on the new hard drive... Do i really have to phone them? Its a little extreme isnt it?

cundall

No just email them but yes it may be slightly extream but thats M$. What you could do to bypass them is just put all your data on your new hardrive and leave xp on your current drive (2 hd in your pc) then just clean up your current install of xp to speed it up.

intel

cundall wrote:

not so, M$ will allow you to reinstall your same copy of windows xp as it's only a hard drive (when you contact them tell them it was a failure) if it was a motherboard then its classed as a new install and as such should have a new copy of xp. If you contact M$ before you install XP and email them your S/N and tell them about the new hard drive they will update the database and allow you to use the SAME KEY to activate the software online.

A little tip is that if you activate a copy of xp online you can install it again on another pc and then activate over the phone. This should not be done (just to cover myself as i dont want bill knocking on my door) though i have seen it done.

This is no t true as I have replaced a HDD in a laptop and had to reactivate it
as I told the editor of Computer Shopper Mar 2006 Edition page 249, as Its not only motherboard changeover thats wrong ist HDD and Mobo change.

And phoning them is the best way to get a new key as if you have done
this you should know that they dont take any address details from the user all
they ask for is the installlation serial and that informs them that its a genuine
version of XP.

cundall

Yes you have to reactivate xp but not with a new key if you contact M$ first, when i did it i contacted them via email