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Jan 17th, 2007
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Reinstalling Windows XP with OEM product key

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Hi!

I'm in a bit of a bizarre situation and wonder if anyone could help. I realise this is a common post but I could not find a solution to my problem in any of them.

Not too long ago I purchased 2 copies of Win XP Home for my PC and my dad's. They were very cheap @ £58. Both were OEM versions and I was niaeve in thinking that there was no problem with that.

I need to re-format my PC's drive and do a clean install but I've lost my copy of Win XP, but fortunately still have the product key. Normally, I could just use my dad's disc but because its OEM and apparently I need the actual disc I used because the product key is associated with OEM discs (my dad's disc will be looking for his product key only).

I don't want to risk re-formatting my drive, installing XP and then finding out I can go no further at the product key entry. Does anyone know if I will be OK to use the other disc, as long as I have my product key?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Crisko.
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san_fran_crisko is offline Offline
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Jan 17th, 2007
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Re: Reinstalling Windows XP with OEM product key

it should work and be legal so long as you use your product key but dont take my word on it

I know for sure that with older systems like 98 you could supply any valid key whatsoever, be it OEM or not but im not sure about XP
Last edited by jbennet; Jan 17th, 2007 at 6:24 pm.
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Jan 17th, 2007
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Re: Reinstalling Windows XP with OEM product key

Thanks man.

I'm with you; I think it should be fine, but I just don't know...and nobody else seems to know either!

Microsoft won't offer any support because they recognise the serial code as an OEM version so tell me to contact my computer vendor.
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Jan 17th, 2007
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Re: Reinstalling Windows XP with OEM product key

keys are not coded into the disks, so go for it. A code is generated based on your licence key and your hardware config, is all. That is what you will submit for validation.
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Jan 18th, 2007
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Re: Reinstalling Windows XP with OEM product key

At worst you will have to ring MS and explain
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RobertEB is offline Offline
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Jan 19th, 2007
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Re: Reinstalling Windows XP with OEM product key

Thanks for the help, folks. I think I'll go for it. PC is acting very very strange so I don't wanna leave it like this for much longer. Think theres a virus not being picked up.

I'll post whether I'm successful or not so people know for the future.

Thanks again.
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Jan 21st, 2007
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Re: Reinstalling Windows XP with OEM product key

Well, for future reference, yes, theres absolutely no problem using an OEM code to re-install, even if you don't have the original disc. All went very smoothly.
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Jan 22nd, 2007
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Re: Reinstalling Windows XP with OEM product key

Hi

Thanks for the feedback it is helpful and appreciated

Darren
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xcellpro6 is offline Offline
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This thread is more than three months old

No one has posted to this discussion for at least three months. Please let old threads die and do not reply to them unless you feel you have something new and valuable to contribute that absolutely must be added to make the discussion complete. Otherwise, please start a new thread in this forum instead.
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