Windows XP, COA; I'm confused.

Zahc

Hi all,
I'm getting a few different answers to the following question;
I have a PC that's gone pop but have enough bits and pieces to build one. The case of my now defunct machine has a sticker on the side with the XP key on it. Can I use this if I get hold of an XP disk?

Thanks

Zahc

Browntoa

I have, I argued that the motherboard/power supply had gone and that the only original part was the Hard disk

Xp knows that several bits have been changed and asks for re-activation (by ringing them up)

Zahc

Thanks Browntoa. I'm guessing the Mesh CD will be of no use to me?

Zahc

wakandem

If the motherboard has been changed it is unlikely it will activate

The key will only work for the same type of xp so if the pc came with xp1 an xp2 disk won't accept the key. Also some xp's are vendor specific so for eg any dell xp disk will work on any dell but nothing else. But after all that you need to activate it which you could blag
For the sake of £55 or try linux - https://www.ubuntu.com

Zahc

I will go down the linux route using the kids' PC when I've replaced it, sadly all the knowledge they need at the moment is MS orientated.
As for £55, I was just trying to save the pennies! Talking of which, can anyone point me in the direction of good deals for MS OSs; I'm wavering about trying to use the licence key if it might be legally dodgy (sigh).
Thanks

Zahc

Browntoa

I used a Dell XP SP1 CD , which was the same as the PC originally came , but it still asked for activation.

As you know the origin of the donor COA Pc (it was probably a OEM Cd that Mesh used so when asked say it was an OEM install by the supplier) they seemed to know that mine came from a Dell Dimension 4600 (which it did) from the COA.Think i was put through to the tech dept by the activation people

They did re activate with no questions as soon as i told the Tech guy that the power supply had blown taking the motherboard with it and I had to replace both (XP generates a unique code from the COA and other info from the motherboard etc)

ABH_3

Zahc wrote: »

Thanks Browntoa. I'm guessing the Mesh CD will be of no use to me?

Zahc

Slipstream with nlite: http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_slipstream.htm http://www.nliteos.com/ if your system uses SATA then you may need to read the bit about integration of sata drivers into the installation: http://www.nliteos.com/faq.html

But afterwards, you'll have a complete and upto date windows disk which you can use with your new computer and old license key.

HTH

Zahc

Thanks all, I reckon I've got all I need. I love this place!

Zahc