OEM XP Home and my code

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike
  • Start date Start date
M

Mike

Hi all,

I had an OEM version of Win. XP Home pre-installed on my
computer when I brought it. I experienced a drastic
problem once when using it and ended up wiping the
partition and putting an older version of windows on my
comp. As I wasn't given a disc with the machine (only the
key attached to the back), I tried ringing the company
(Time computers). They said there was nothing they can do
as I had wiped the partition and that I would need to pay
£60 for their recovery cd.

I wasn't prepared to do this as all Im after is the media
and to use my own key. I was wondering if I was able to
get a copy of windows XP home OEM from a friend, would I
be able to use my key, or do I need to buy a new copy?

Another thought was.. is there anyway to restore the
partion (I have used tools such as EasyRecovery, which CAN
find parts of XP, but Im not too sure it can find all of
it). Ive been told that the computer keeps a sort of hex-
blueprint of all OS's / partitions installed, and I could
(by using the right tools) restore a previous partition.
How deep is the truth in that?

Regards,
Mike.
 
The Product Key that came with your computer will
only work with the manufacturer's restore CD.
You'll need to purchase their restore CD if you
wish to use that particular Product Key to reinstall
Windows XP.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


Hi all,

I had an OEM version of Win. XP Home pre-installed on my
computer when I brought it. I experienced a drastic
problem once when using it and ended up wiping the
partition and putting an older version of windows on my
comp. As I wasn't given a disc with the machine (only the
key attached to the back), I tried ringing the company
(Time computers). They said there was nothing they can do
as I had wiped the partition and that I would need to pay
£60 for their recovery cd.

I wasn't prepared to do this as all Im after is the media
and to use my own key. I was wondering if I was able to
get a copy of windows XP home OEM from a friend, would I
be able to use my key, or do I need to buy a new copy?

Another thought was.. is there anyway to restore the
partion (I have used tools such as EasyRecovery, which CAN
find parts of XP, but Im not too sure it can find all of
it). Ive been told that the computer keeps a sort of hex-
blueprint of all OS's / partitions installed, and I could
(by using the right tools) restore a previous partition.
How deep is the truth in that?

Regards,
Mike.
 
The key that you have is, most likely, only good for their media!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)

Hi all,

I had an OEM version of Win. XP Home pre-installed on my
computer when I brought it. I experienced a drastic
problem once when using it and ended up wiping the
partition and putting an older version of windows on my
comp. As I wasn't given a disc with the machine (only the
key attached to the back), I tried ringing the company
(Time computers). They said there was nothing they can do
as I had wiped the partition and that I would need to pay
£60 for their recovery cd.

I wasn't prepared to do this as all Im after is the media
and to use my own key. I was wondering if I was able to
get a copy of windows XP home OEM from a friend, would I
be able to use my key, or do I need to buy a new copy?

Another thought was.. is there anyway to restore the
partion (I have used tools such as EasyRecovery, which CAN
find parts of XP, but Im not too sure it can find all of
it). Ive been told that the computer keeps a sort of hex-
blueprint of all OS's / partitions installed, and I could
(by using the right tools) restore a previous partition.
How deep is the truth in that?

Regards,
Mike.
 
Mike said:
Hi all,

I had an OEM version of Win. XP Home pre-installed on my
computer when I brought it. I experienced a drastic
problem once when using it and ended up wiping the
partition and putting an older version of windows on my
comp. As I wasn't given a disc with the machine (only the
key attached to the back), I tried ringing the company
(Time computers). They said there was nothing they can do
as I had wiped the partition and that I would need to pay
£60 for their recovery cd.

I wasn't prepared to do this as all Im after is the media
and to use my own key. I was wondering if I was able to
get a copy of windows XP home OEM from a friend, would I
be able to use my key, or do I need to buy a new copy?

Another thought was.. is there anyway to restore the
partion (I have used tools such as EasyRecovery, which CAN
find parts of XP, but Im not too sure it can find all of
it). Ive been told that the computer keeps a sort of hex-
blueprint of all OS's / partitions installed, and I could
(by using the right tools) restore a previous partition.
How deep is the truth in that?

Regards,
Mike.
Click to expand...

Give it a try, your license is the key, not the install media. The OEM key
should work with any OEM CD. If it works burn a copy for future reinstalls.
If you purchased another OEM home version just for the install media, you
would have two keys and one computer.
BIOS locking only means you will need to manually activate.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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