Windows ME - Reinstalling

H

Hylian

New Member
My Friend bought a Seanix Computer quite awhile ago. It came with windows ME installed.

He's unsure if he received a bootdisk or if he's just lost it over the years.

I'm moving at the end of August, so I thought I'd get rid of my old motherboard/ram/processor/harddrive by upgrading his computer for him (when I bought my computer it had XP Home Installed). (my old system is 768MB SD RAM, 1.5 ghz P4, 20GB HD, and I'm not sure of the mobo. His curent comp is like 800MHz , and that's all I know)

What I've been considering doing the following:

1) Downloading Windows ME Setup
2) Obtaining his Windows ME Key from his Registry on his current comp
3) Installing all my parts into his computer
4) Reinstalling windows ME onto the 20GB HD using the retreived CD Key
5) Formatting his old computer's HD (so there's not 2 copies of the same CD Key)

Now What I need to know is if this is legal. As far as I know, since he purchased his computer with the OS installed, he's entitled to the same software by using his CD Key. I assume it shouldn't matter where the Software is coming from, just the key itself.

I'm also curious as to whether or not ME will support such a system, or a such a system will support ME, or if it's easier to just purchase Windows XP, which it's basically guaranteed to work with.

Thanks for any Help
 
Okay, yes, this is legal. As long as you don't have the same CD key on more than one computer, you can use the same key over and over again on just one computer. With XP, you only have three chances to use the key over, and then you have to contact Microsoft and ask them for a new key. I don't think it's this way with ME, however. ME will support the system you've described, and yes, the system will support ME. However, ME is known to be one of the worst versions of Windows ever made, so if I were you, I'd just get XP.
 
Qlutch said:
However, ME is known to be one of the worst versions of Windows ever made, so if I were you, I'd just get XP.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've been hearing that more and more as I do research on it, and I've also been considering another option:

The Windows XP Home I've been using is the one I got from 2001 when i bought my computer from FutureShop (CA) (I think it's now owned by US BestBuy).

I was wondering if I could buy windows XP Pro, upgrade my home edition to Pro, and give my home edition to my friend to use. (early christmas present lol). It would cost me like $140 canadian to buy it from my school, yet like I said, I'd consider it his christmas present for...maybe 5 years lol

Now I'm curious if it's possible to upgrade Home to Pro without reinstalling, and if doing so will ask for the Pro CD key, and free up my home key....if that made any sense.

Again, thanks in advance for any input
 
You can upgrade from Home to Pro, but it might make things pretty messy. It's pretty much just reinstalling Windows over the top of your current installation. I would suggest to back up your files and reformat, then install Pro. In the end, it'll be worth the extra effort. Also, with the CD keys, it depends on how many times you've had to use your Home key. If you've used it less than three times, then you should have no problem using the same key on your friend's computer.
 
Okay Thanks for the help!

Yet I'm curious about the 3 use thing...I play a lot of games and uninstall a lot of games. Every 6 months or so for the past 4 years I've reformatted my comp just for efficiency purposes. I've even used it multiple times in a day (downloading all patches and service packs), due to an infection I kept getting. I'd say I've used it anywhere from 10-15 times already.

Should I expect a door-crasher from Microsoft for them thinking I'm messing around?
 
Oh nevermind... I was thinking of Office 2003. That has the three-key limit. I guess XP has no limit...
 
Okay, so I went to the store to get Windows XP Professional for myself, in hopes of giving my friend my Home edition

I realized after I opened the box that this was the Upgrade, and not the full install, so I cannot return it.

Now I'm curious if I can still do as i planned: upgrade my Home to Professional, then give my Home edition to my friend, or are the two keys basically reliant on each other now? (I've already upgraded to Pro since I can't return it and get the full version)

Thanks again
 
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