Windows XP CD Key

Dropkickmurphys · 04-12-2008, 08:49 AM

hey, i have been given a laptop that is now several years old. it currently has windows xp installed, i would like to reformat it but have no disks with it.

the laptop has the windows xp key on the bottom.

would i be able to use an exisiting CD and use the key from the bottom of the laptop?
is there any way of finding if the key is still valid?
is the first question legal?

thanks

dave

hackapelite · 04-12-2008, 12:08 PM

I believe it it legal, and just about any disk should do... as long as it's the same version (PRO, Home,...) & SP (Releases w/different service packs usually come with a new set of keys).

[-0MEGA-] · 04-12-2008, 01:02 PM

Are you sure it's the same version? The CD Key's are different for OS's with and without various service packs.

Mtag · 04-13-2008, 06:50 AM

It is legal and it will work. I installed XP SP2 with a key from XP SP1 with no issue. You did not purchase the install disk, you purchased the key. Microsoft does not care what media you use to install it as long as your key is valid.

jess22 · 04-13-2008, 01:12 PM

I believe I have used different discs but still used the key that is on the sticker on my laptop

SirKenin · 04-13-2008, 04:26 PM

It will work, and the service pack doesn't make any difference. I have a reference disk with several different versions of XP, oem and retail. I can use it provided the client has one of those license keys. Just make sure you install the OEM version or the key won't work.

[-0MEGA-] · 04-13-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirKenin

It will work, and the service pack doesn't make any difference. I have a reference disk with several different versions of XP, oem and retail. I can use it provided the client has one of those license keys. Just make sure you install the OEM version or the key won't work.

I believe it does make a difference. I have CD Keys that were included with version of XP Home w/SP1 and one with SP2, and I can not use the key for the SP1 with the SP2 installation disc, and vice versa. The same goes with Windows XP, and also 32 vs 64 bit version of XP and Vista. Perhaps the CD Key you have is one that can be used on various version of Windows.

Quick69GTO · 04-13-2008, 05:15 PM

The SP1/SP2 difference may be valid.
It also matters if you use an upgrade disk, retail disk, or OEM disk.
You will more than likely need an OEM disk.

SirKenin · 04-14-2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [-0MEGA-]

I believe it does make a difference. I have CD Keys that were included with version of XP Home w/SP1 and one with SP2, and I can not use the key for the SP1 with the SP2 installation disc, and vice versa. The same goes with Windows XP, and also 32 vs 64 bit version of XP and Vista. Perhaps the CD Key you have is one that can be used on various version of Windows.

I only use keys provided by the client.

04-12-2008, 08:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dropkickmurphys Diamond Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Worthing, UK (Uni at Kent) Age: 19 Posts: 1,786	Windows XP CD Key hey, i have been given a laptop that is now several years old. it currently has windows xp installed, i would like to reformat it but have no disks with it. the laptop has the windows xp key on the bottom. would i be able to use an exisiting CD and use the key from the bottom of the laptop? is there any way of finding if the key is still valid? is the first question legal? thanks dave __________________ Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 2.4Ghz (OC @ 2.5GHz) Gigabyte P35C-DS3R motherboard 2GB 6400 DDR240 RAM (OC @ 427.5mhz) 512Mb Geforce 8600GT (OC core: 651Mhz, memory: 475Mhz) 500GB Seagate 7,500RPM HDD Lite-on 20x DVD+RW OCZ GameXStream 600W PSU CoolerMaster Black Centurian 534 Case Samsung 19" 1440x900 SyncMaster 940BW monitor / Samsung 19" 1440x900 TV Dual Booting: Windows XP Proffessional SP2 / Windows Vista Business SP1

04-12-2008, 12:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
hackapelite Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Solicitor's office Posts: 1,230	I believe it it legal, and just about any disk should do... as long as it's the same version (PRO, Home,...) & SP (Releases w/different service packs usually come with a new set of keys). __________________ BY READING THE ABOVE POST, YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING: "The above post is provided solely for entertainment purposes and is not to be taken as professional advice. Therefore, I shall not be held responsible for any damage or losses that are result from anything I have posted, to the extent applicable by law. In the unlikely event that I CAN be held responsible, I have never been here, I am not here, and I will never be here, and it will be highly questionable whether I even exist."

04-12-2008, 01:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 19 Posts: 26,897	Are you sure it's the same version? The CD Key's are different for OS's with and without various service packs. __________________ Desktop // Laptop Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.0GHz // Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 // Intel PM965 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 // Dual 512MB GDDR3 8600M GT's SLI 4GB (2x 2GB) DDR2 940 // 3GB DDR2 667 DC 750GB SATA 3.0Gbps w/32MB // 400GB (2x 200GB) 7200RPM Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 21366 // 7394

04-13-2008, 06:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mtag Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 58	It is legal and it will work. I installed XP SP2 with a key from XP SP1 with no issue. You did not purchase the install disk, you purchased the key. Microsoft does not care what media you use to install it as long as your key is valid. __________________ Q6600@3.4 / Zalman CNPS9700 /Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L / 4 GB OCZ / 2 Barracuda 500GB / XFX GeForce 8600 GT

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04-13-2008, 01:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
jess22 New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6	I believe I have used different discs but still used the key that is on the sticker on my laptop

04-13-2008, 04:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
SirKenin banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,711	It will work, and the service pack doesn't make any difference. I have a reference disk with several different versions of XP, oem and retail. I can use it provided the client has one of those license keys. Just make sure you install the OEM version or the key won't work.

04-13-2008, 05:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Quick69GTO Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 204	The SP1/SP2 difference may be valid. It also matters if you use an upgrade disk, retail disk, or OEM disk. You will more than likely need an OEM disk.

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