Is the XP CD Key Bound To The Disk?

Forevermore1337

Forevermore1337

New Member
Ok, i have a bit of a situation here. I have two CD's for windows xp, one is a retail version of XP 2002, and the other is a Gateway reinstallation CD for XP 2005. I already know i can't use the CD key that came with 2005 version, because it's bound the Gateway. But the 2002 CD key, i hope, will work just fine. I have only used it on one computer, and the computer i installed it on isn't in use anymore. I have read that the old CD's for windows XP have a very hard time recognizing SATA devices, and in my new build, both the HD and the CD drive are SATA. Is it possible to install with the newer 2005 CD and just use the Key that came with the 2002 edition, or should i just try to use the 2002 CD.

Thanks.
 
forget the oem gateway disk. the retail is still a problem if installed already. BUT.......i have in the past called microsoft. said my motherboard went bad and gave me another key for the retail ver.
 
The CD Key isn't bound to the Gateway laptop, you can use it with any Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OS install disc. The CD Key is only bound to that particular version/edition of Windows, there is a different algorithm for each version. For instance if you had a CD Key from a laptop running Windows XP Home SP1, it will not work with another install disc that contained Windows XP Pro SP1, however if you found another installation disc for Windows XP Home SP1, then you could use that.
 
Ok, so i can't use the key with a difference disk, but what about the old CD. Is it true that it doesn't recognize SATA drives, or should i be ok. Or, even better, will the 2005 edition work (which i doubt it will. I just can't see microsoft giving you anything that would work more then once, or three times for the retail version).
 
not sure of the question. sata works fine. i have two. if you use the retail from the store you can buy it after the installation. if you say motherboard is bad they will turn off the other xp system you used it on.
 
Forevermore1337 said:
But the 2002 CD key, i hope, will work just fine. I have only used it on one computer, and the computer i installed it on isn't in use anymore. I have read that the old CD's for windows XP have a very hard time recognizing SATA devices, and in my new build, both the HD and the CD drive are SATA.
Click to expand...

Yes you can use that one, its retail and not installed on another computer.

As far as the Sata drivers. Just use nLite to slipstream SP3 to your CD and if you want your Sata drivers too. Then you will have a XP cd with SP3.
 
Ok.....ya got my attention. the comment was about slipstreming. ive seen it before but now im curious. could you please explain slipstream. best i can figure its an exe file that you run it the backround. i thought it might be associated with a network.
thanks

i checked this utility nlite. yes its for deployment.
why would you not just go get the updates from micosoft.
whats diffirent?
 
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No, its a program that will include, SPs, Drivers, programs,Pin number, can even make a unattented install disk. You just copy your XP cd to a folder. Save your SP, drivers and so on in another folder. When you run nLite it will make a ISO copy of your XP cd with all the extras that you choose to include with it. Then you just burn it. You got a updated XP cd.
 
Will a regular 700MB CD-R work, or will i have to go find one with more storage? Also, this nLite, when running it, will it automatically put the SP3 and all the drivers in the file, or is that all done manually. And Thirdly, how do i get the data off of the XP installation Cd. Is it just a basic rip, or is there a certain way the data needs to be takes off. Sorry for all the questions, it just seems that this is the only way i'm going to get this to work without purchasing a new $89 OEM version (at the very least).
Thanks.
 
Yes as long as you dont include more than the disk can hold. Just make 3 folders called anything you want so you can remember. Put your Sata drivers in one. Download and save SP3 in the second one. Run nLite, it will ask for your XP cd, you put it in your drive, it will copy it to the third folder. Then it will ask what you want added. You direct it to the SP and drivers. Then it will copy all of it in ISO to another 4th. folder. Then you just burn a image of the ISO. You got a XP SP3 install disk with drivers or what ever else you decided to include.
 
Since it's CD Keys related.. Say I have an OEM Windows XP Media Center cd key, and I switched my HDD and Mobo for a new one, but I don't have the disc. What should I do? Do I phone Microsoft for tech support?
 
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