windows xp- is this allowed

wolfehouse

my dd did not make a backup disc and her laptop (which originally had windows xp)needed to be revived

my old copy of windows xp seems to work with that computer.
it is from a computer which gave up the ghost a while ago and was scrapped.

now it wants to be activated before letting me get on with things.
am i allowed to register this windows with microsoft? what would happen if i did this by telephone (can't seem to get the internet up yet)

miniemma

does her laptop have a windows xp sticker on it with its own registration key?

bingo_bango

Absolutely fine. Call MS and give them the key from the sticker on the laptop. They'll get you sorted. If that isn't an option I can only suggest you google XP Activation and start reading a little

fuzzball172

The only problem is that there are 2 versions of each windows, retail and OEM. Retail is where you buy the copy of windows from a shop and you get the sticker and the bronze looking holographic CD. The OEM version is where windows comes pre installed by the manufacturer and you usually get their recovery / restore disk or the option to make your own disks.
The problem arises when you come to activate, a retail product key cannot be used with an OEM install disk and vice versa. The OEM license is only for the machine it was originally installed on. The license agreement ends when the OEM PC is scrapped. M$ however will usually activate an OEM product key with almost any other OEM restore or rescue disk, providing the key is legitimate.

When you phone the activation number you need to tell them that you are using the disk that came with the computer to reinstall after you repaired your PC if you have an OEM license.OEM product keys usually can be identified as they have the manufactures name / logo on the sticker.

Lee

wolfehouse

thanks all-
this is a medion xp disc- so oem
i will look for the sticker on the laptop
and see what happens next.

kwikbreaks

When you reinstalled you should have used the key from the sticker on the machine and the same type of Widows (Home or Pro). So long as you did that then the online activation process should just work and you shouldn't need to get involved in explanations with anyone. I've done this twice now and never had to speak with anyone.

fuzzball172

Medion customer service is very good, it might be worth a phone call to the ans see if they can help

Lee

KathysBoy

wolfehouse wrote: »

thanks all-
this is a medion xp disc- so oem
i will look for the sticker on the laptop
and see what happens next.

As it says above just use the key on the laptop. If it doesn't activate on line (and it probably will, as you haven't reactivated before) you'll get a code to quote when you telephone. There's no hassle from them when you call, they just give you an activation code.

johnmc

As long as it's the same type of XP (Home or Pro) then use the key on her laptop.

I've done this more times than I care to think about with absolutely NO issues at all.