Installing 2002 Windows XP on New Computer

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Windows XP Professional (2002) is installed on my old computer (I have the
original disks with product key). I just bought a new computer with only the
basic Windows Home Edition installed. I want to install Windows XP
Professional with my 2002 disks but am getting an error message that the
product key is not valid.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? Does Microsoft allow installation on 2
computers simulateously? Or do I need to uninstall from the first computer?
 
You need to purchase a conventional "Retail Upgrade Version"
of Windows XP Pro. One license = one installation only.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Windows XP Professional (2002) is installed on my old computer (I have the
| original disks with product key). I just bought a new computer with only the
| basic Windows Home Edition installed. I want to install Windows XP
| Professional with my 2002 disks but am getting an error message that the
| product key is not valid.
|
| Any suggestions on how to proceed? Does Microsoft allow installation on 2
| computers simulateously? Or do I need to uninstall from the first computer?
 
If the original computer had XP Pro installed on it when you bought it does
the CD state to be sold with a new computer? If so you may not be able to
transfer it to a different machine as this is a OEM version (it will not
upgrade the home version anyhow but would reinstall over and erase all on
the hard drive.)

If you purchased a retail version of Pro you should be able to transfer it
to the new machine. You can only install XP on one computer at a time
(according to the EULA). You should uninstall it from the first computer to
keep in line with the EULA. In relation to the invalid product key, make
sure that you type the 25 character key exactly. B and 8 look similar as do
1 and L, etc. A quick trick that you can use to find out the exact 25
character product key. Download and run the following program on the
original machine. Keyfinder 1.41 from http://www.magicaljellybean.com/ Use
it to print out the key, it is easier to read than the one on the sticker.

If you want to keep the original computer with XP pro on it, you may want to
purchase an XP Pro upgrade CD. This will be cheaper than a new install CD.
Of course, if you are not connecting to a domain or need the advanced file
security of the PRO version of XP, the Home version has all the power and
stability of PRO. See here for more information
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx
 
You need to uninstall from the first computer if your version of XP Pro is a
retail version. If the version is an OEM version (hint: the product key is
on a sticker attached to the side of the case) then you can not legally
install it onto another system even if you remove it from the first. OEM
versions are tied to the first computer they are activated on.

When are you seeing the message that the Product Key is not valid? If is
during installation it may be because you are inadvertently typing an
incorrect digit. a "B" can look like an "8", a "0" can look like a "Q", a
"2" can look like a "Z" and so forth. Also make certain you do not have the
Caps Key or Shift Key enabled when entering a Product Key. Product digits
will be auto entered in caps by the installer.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


RichFromBama said:
Windows XP Professional (2002) is installed on my old computer (I have the
original disks with product key). I just bought a new computer with only the
basic Windows Home Edition installed. I want to install Windows XP
Professional with my 2002 disks but am getting an error message that the
product key is not valid.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? Does Microsoft allow installation on 2
computers simulateously? Or do I need to uninstall from the first
Click to expand...
computer?
 
I am not really sure what version of Windows XP Pro that I have.

A little background on my computer set-up. I upgraded the older computer
with Windows XP Professional purchased from the university while I was a
student. The disks say :"Not for Retail or OEM Distribution". These are the
disks that I would like to install on the new computer.

If I am able to install Windows XP Pro on the new computer over the Windows
Home Edition, do you know what will happen? Can I upgrade to Pro without
screwing up the computer?

Thank you.

Harry Ohrn said:
You need to uninstall from the first computer if your version of XP Pro is a
retail version. If the version is an OEM version (hint: the product key is
on a sticker attached to the side of the case) then you can not legally
install it onto another system even if you remove it from the first. OEM
versions are tied to the first computer they are activated on.

When are you seeing the message that the Product Key is not valid? If is
during installation it may be because you are inadvertently typing an
incorrect digit. a "B" can look like an "8", a "0" can look like a "Q", a
"2" can look like a "Z" and so forth. Also make certain you do not have the
Caps Key or Shift Key enabled when entering a Product Key. Product digits
will be auto entered in caps by the installer.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


RichFromBama said:
Windows XP Professional (2002) is installed on my old computer (I have the
original disks with product key). I just bought a new computer with only the
basic Windows Home Edition installed. I want to install Windows XP
Professional with my 2002 disks but am getting an error message that the
product key is not valid.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? Does Microsoft allow installation on 2
computers simulateously? Or do I need to uninstall from the first
Click to expand...
computer?
Click to expand...
 
Carey Frisch said:
You need to purchase a conventional "Retail Upgrade Version"
of Windows XP Pro. One license = one installation only.
Click to expand...

because, as we all know, computers are psychic and one can tell whether the
other still has said installation of XP Pro on it.
 
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