Windows reinstall - Will this work & Is it legal?
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I've been asked to wipe a PC for a friend. (It's so trashed with viruses and stuff It's beyond a repair). They don't have their original XP cd, the manufacturer won't supply a replacement, and the re-install partition on the hard drive is also trashed. They do however have their XP serial number & key (it's stuck on the side of the case). Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key? Also, from MSDN I can only get Home-retail. Does anyone know if their key will work with this as theirs came pre-installed oem style? is this likely to be a different version with different key requirements. I don't want to go through the whole format/install just to discover the key doesn't work. Two questions really here. 1) Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
Simon
Simon Stevens wrote:
Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key?
Every OS version (VL, retail, OEM, etc.,) from MS comes with its own unique key(s). Their key won't work with your MSDN copy of XP; You will not get past the serial number validation screen.
Simon Stevens wrote:
- Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
No and NO. The solution is to ask support from the computer vendor itself. They may not be able to give you a replacement media, but however they will be able to come and fix it on the site. They will probably charge you for that, but that's the only legal way I see. An alternative would be asking the friend to frack off, which works for me most of the time. :) [Edit] Anyone who don't like me telling it is illegal can go ahead and down-vote me, but see my reply here[^] [/Edit] It *is* illegal, no matter what. :|
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
modified on Friday, May 8, 2009 9:13 AM
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I've been asked to wipe a PC for a friend. (It's so trashed with viruses and stuff It's beyond a repair). They don't have their original XP cd, the manufacturer won't supply a replacement, and the re-install partition on the hard drive is also trashed. They do however have their XP serial number & key (it's stuck on the side of the case). Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key? Also, from MSDN I can only get Home-retail. Does anyone know if their key will work with this as theirs came pre-installed oem style? is this likely to be a different version with different key requirements. I don't want to go through the whole format/install just to discover the key doesn't work. Two questions really here. 1) Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
Simon
I a dell xp cd that works on most computers. I can setup a download link. what type of computer is it? also some bestbuys have the restore cd and might make you a copy.
Take a look at my corner of the net at Code Research Center
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Simon Stevens wrote:
Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key?
Every OS version (VL, retail, OEM, etc.,) from MS comes with its own unique key(s). Their key won't work with your MSDN copy of XP; You will not get past the serial number validation screen.
Simon Stevens wrote:
- Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
No and NO. The solution is to ask support from the computer vendor itself. They may not be able to give you a replacement media, but however they will be able to come and fix it on the site. They will probably charge you for that, but that's the only legal way I see. An alternative would be asking the friend to frack off, which works for me most of the time. :) [Edit] Anyone who don't like me telling it is illegal can go ahead and down-vote me, but see my reply here[^] [/Edit] It *is* illegal, no matter what. :|
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
modified on Friday, May 8, 2009 9:13 AM
Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
Every OS media from MS comes with its own unique key(s). Their key won't work with your MSDN copy of XP; You will not get past the serial number validation screen.
Really! I didn't know that. So your saying that every single CD is tied to a specific key.
Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
support from the computer vendor
Yeah, it's Dell. They won't give a replacement disk (even for a fee), and their callout rate is higher than just buying a new copy of xp home.
Simon
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MSDN copues won't work with retail keys AFAIK.
Software Kinetics - Moving software
I suspected that, it is listed on MSDN as "home-retail" though.
Simon
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Should be legal. They have a license. The disc isn't the important part. Company IT departments use burned CD's all the time.
Need custom software developed? I do C# development and consulting all over the United States. A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." --Stephen Crane
Thanks, I thought that would be the case. I'm getting mixed answers about if it will actually work though. I think unfortunately I'm just going to have to try it and find out.
Simon
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I a dell xp cd that works on most computers. I can setup a download link. what type of computer is it? also some bestbuys have the restore cd and might make you a copy.
Take a look at my corner of the net at Code Research Center
As was mentioned above, the disc isn't important. As long as you have a valid key that match the language and version of the CD you have it will install and can be activated. I have done this repeatedly and it works. Do however note that with OEM versions you might have to give MS a call to get it activated if it has been installed a given number of times.
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I suspected that, it is listed on MSDN as "home-retail" though.
Simon
I know in the past I have downloaded XP SP2 and try to loaded with a retail key only to find the key wouldn't work.
Software Kinetics - Moving software
-
Simon Stevens wrote:
Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key?
Every OS version (VL, retail, OEM, etc.,) from MS comes with its own unique key(s). Their key won't work with your MSDN copy of XP; You will not get past the serial number validation screen.
Simon Stevens wrote:
- Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
No and NO. The solution is to ask support from the computer vendor itself. They may not be able to give you a replacement media, but however they will be able to come and fix it on the site. They will probably charge you for that, but that's the only legal way I see. An alternative would be asking the friend to frack off, which works for me most of the time. :) [Edit] Anyone who don't like me telling it is illegal can go ahead and down-vote me, but see my reply here[^] [/Edit] It *is* illegal, no matter what. :|
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
modified on Friday, May 8, 2009 9:13 AM
Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
Every OS media from MS comes with its own unique key(s). Their key won't work with your MSDN copy of XP; You will not get past the serial number validation screen.
This is ridiculous. Do you think that MS makes different media for every copy of Windows?!? Regarding my experience you just need from the exactly same version of Windows and all of the keys for this version will fits.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
Every OS media from MS comes with its own unique key(s). Their key won't work with your MSDN copy of XP; You will not get past the serial number validation screen.
Really! I didn't know that. So your saying that every single CD is tied to a specific key.
Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
support from the computer vendor
Yeah, it's Dell. They won't give a replacement disk (even for a fee), and their callout rate is higher than just buying a new copy of xp home.
Simon
Simon Stevens wrote:
Really! I didn't know that. So your saying that every single CD is tied to a specific key.
I said key(s). For example, I can download XP using my MSDN account, burn it to a disc and install it on 8 machines. But, I make sure that I fetch a new serial number for every machine. But, some random volume license key that came with a dell machine won't work with your MSDN copy of XP.
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
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Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
Every OS media from MS comes with its own unique key(s). Their key won't work with your MSDN copy of XP; You will not get past the serial number validation screen.
This is ridiculous. Do you think that MS makes different media for every copy of Windows?!? Regarding my experience you just need from the exactly same version of Windows and all of the keys for this version will fits.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
Well, I'm saying it from my experience on my own HP computer, where the installer won't go past the serial number validation screen.
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
-
I've been asked to wipe a PC for a friend. (It's so trashed with viruses and stuff It's beyond a repair). They don't have their original XP cd, the manufacturer won't supply a replacement, and the re-install partition on the hard drive is also trashed. They do however have their XP serial number & key (it's stuck on the side of the case). Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key? Also, from MSDN I can only get Home-retail. Does anyone know if their key will work with this as theirs came pre-installed oem style? is this likely to be a different version with different key requirements. I don't want to go through the whole format/install just to discover the key doesn't work. Two questions really here. 1) Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
Simon
You can use their key but you need from exactly the same Windows version including the service pack and the package type/OEM, Retail. Etc./ And yes – this is legal; you just need to find a copy of Windows. I have no idea if it is legal to get a copy from some torrent site, mainly because the copy could be “modified” from the original version.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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Rajesh R Subramanian wrote:
Every OS media from MS comes with its own unique key(s). Their key won't work with your MSDN copy of XP; You will not get past the serial number validation screen.
This is ridiculous. Do you think that MS makes different media for every copy of Windows?!? Regarding my experience you just need from the exactly same version of Windows and all of the keys for this version will fits.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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Well, I'm saying it from my experience on my own HP computer, where the installer won't go past the serial number validation screen.
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
But again – this is up to the Windows version. Microsoft doesn’t produce different media with unique serial number for every copy of Windows. In your case it is very likely that the biggest vendors like HP and Dell have their own OEM versions of Windows with different serial number verification algorithm.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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The same exact thing I was talking about - what goes on a DELL machine would be an OEM version, wouldn't it be?. :)
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
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Yes - that is exactly what I’m saying.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
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But again – this is up to the Windows version. Microsoft doesn’t produce different media with unique serial number for every copy of Windows. In your case it is very likely that the biggest vendors like HP and Dell have their own OEM versions of Windows with different serial number verification algorithm.
The narrow specialist in the broad sense of the word is a complete idiot in the narrow sense of the word. Advertise here – minimum three posts per day are guaranteed.
We're talking about a DELL computer here, which would have come with an OEM version of the operating system pre-installed with it and therefore my comments. I could have been clearer though. I'll edit my previous post.
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
-
I've been asked to wipe a PC for a friend. (It's so trashed with viruses and stuff It's beyond a repair). They don't have their original XP cd, the manufacturer won't supply a replacement, and the re-install partition on the hard drive is also trashed. They do however have their XP serial number & key (it's stuck on the side of the case). Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key? Also, from MSDN I can only get Home-retail. Does anyone know if their key will work with this as theirs came pre-installed oem style? is this likely to be a different version with different key requirements. I don't want to go through the whole format/install just to discover the key doesn't work. Two questions really here. 1) Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
Simon
The Dell key will not work with the MSDN versions (in my experience). You could borrow a Dell recovery CD from someone else who has an XP based Dell, and use that with your friend's key. That should work and should be legal as far as I can see.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
My latest book : C++/CLI in Action / Amazon.com link -
The Dell key will not work with the MSDN versions (in my experience). You could borrow a Dell recovery CD from someone else who has an XP based Dell, and use that with your friend's key. That should work and should be legal as far as I can see.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
My latest book : C++/CLI in Action / Amazon.com linkDitto with HP as well.
It is a crappy thing, but it's life -^ Carlo Pallini
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I've been asked to wipe a PC for a friend. (It's so trashed with viruses and stuff It's beyond a repair). They don't have their original XP cd, the manufacturer won't supply a replacement, and the re-install partition on the hard drive is also trashed. They do however have their XP serial number & key (it's stuck on the side of the case). Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key? Also, from MSDN I can only get Home-retail. Does anyone know if their key will work with this as theirs came pre-installed oem style? is this likely to be a different version with different key requirements. I don't want to go through the whole format/install just to discover the key doesn't work. Two questions really here. 1) Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
Simon
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I've been asked to wipe a PC for a friend. (It's so trashed with viruses and stuff It's beyond a repair). They don't have their original XP cd, the manufacturer won't supply a replacement, and the re-install partition on the hard drive is also trashed. They do however have their XP serial number & key (it's stuck on the side of the case). Can I install my MSDN copy of windows xp and use their key? Also, from MSDN I can only get Home-retail. Does anyone know if their key will work with this as theirs came pre-installed oem style? is this likely to be a different version with different key requirements. I don't want to go through the whole format/install just to discover the key doesn't work. Two questions really here. 1) Will it actually work? 2) Is it legal?
Simon
Download and install Ubuntu. No licence problems and stacks of free legal software. Seriously if he hasn't got the media for windows is he going to have the media for office / winzip / WinDVD /any other app he had once legally owned but is now broken? Russell