I have a question: Windows XP OEM disc...

[Ramodkk]

Hey guys, say I buy one of those OEM XP Home disks from Newegg. I install it in my comp then later down the road it breaks and I have to format. Can I use the same disk to install it on that same comp?

Thanks for any input!

 

[johnb35]

An OEM version is tied to the computer that you first install it on, once you activate it on that computer you can't use that key again unless its on the same computer... Say for instance your motherboard goes out and you have to replace it with a different one, since its possible that they don't make yours anymore and you can't get it, technically you can't use the same key but poeple have been known to call microsoft and tell them that they had to replace their motherboard with a different one because they didn't make their original one anymore. Microsoft would in turn provide a different key in order to activate your copy of windows.

 

[Ramodkk]

Thanks for the help man!

So if I just reformat my C drive, I can use the same CD key right?

 

[StrangleHold]

You can reinstall on the same computer just fine, no problem. The OEMs are just tied to the motherboard more. If you change the board you wll have to call M/S and give them some big story of how the board craped out or something to get it revalidated.

 

[Intel_man]

As long as it's the same computer, you're fine. OEM's are often cheaper than the standard boxed one.

 

[porterjw]

As long as it's the same computer, you're fine.

To elaborate, so long as the OS is only installed on ONE system, you're fine.

 

[Ramodkk]

Ok, thanks guys!