Member Avatar for jbennet

Ok in the EULA it says the licence is like permission to use the software, It does not mean that you own it.

I have a copy of XP home upgrade and a laptop which once had windows 98 (now no cd) - but the certificate of authenticity and serial is there.

Using the 98 serial number can I upgarde to XP?

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A few practical paths to resolve this for , building on points from and :

Get official recovery media from the vendor — contact Lenovo/IBM support with the laptop model and serial/Machine Type. Many vendors will still produce restore CDs for older machines (usually for a fee). Those OEM discs are tied to the original hardware and will restore the factory image and drivers matching your COA.

If vendor support fails, source legitimate recovery or retail discs elsewhere. Look for genuine restore sets for your exact model (sometimes sold on auction sites or specialist shops) or obtain a retail copy of a qualifying pre-Windows XP OS or a retail/full XP license. Be cautious: avoid unofficial “cracked” ISOs or untrusted sellers — they can break activation and leave systems insecure.

Activation and license notes: keep the COA, original receipts, and any XP upgrade packaging. Telephone activation existed for cases where online activation fails; having COA details handy helps if phone activation or manual verification becomes necessary. Also confirm whether the COA is an OEM license — OEM keys are tied to the original machine and aren’t transferable to a different PC.

If replacing the OS is costly, consider alternate options: order Lenovo recovery media, purchase a retail/full XP, or move to a modern, supported OS (XP reached end-of-life in 2014 and no longer receives security updates). Before wiping anything, salvage any personal data (use a boot CD/USB) and image the drive if recovery is desired later.

Summary: the COA demonstrates a valid license, but practical resolution requires usable installation media or a replacement retail/OEM product. Contact Lenovo first, then pursue reputable recovery-disc sellers or a full retail copy if necessary.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

you will need the cd ,you have to put it in the cdrom when asked during the xp upgrade .

Member Avatar for jbennet

I

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

But you will be required to enter a new serial number, provided on your XP packaging.

Member Avatar for jbennet

I never had a CD. I had a recovery partition whcih was destroyed by a virus. All i have is the COA and serials

Member Avatar for jbennet

i mean can i use my 98 licence as means to upgrade

Member Avatar for jbennet

I KNOW!!!!!!!!

With xp UPGRADE it wants proof that you are eligible such as existing installation or CDROM of your old system which for me is windows 98.

I have neither of these and am, wonderin if as proof i can give my Windows 98 serial number

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

No. An upgrade version requires that you have an old edition of a product. I don't think you are even asked the old product's key.

Member Avatar for jbennet

damn, so i cant upgrade without an existing system/cd ?
Not even if i have all the original certificates and serials?
Can i get a replacement 98 cd?

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

I suppose. Try contacting the original vendor who provided you the computer. He may be able to help.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Lenovo dont wanna hear jack about old IBM machines

Member Avatar for caperjack

i understand now what you want to do !!
you need a win98 cd as said above and the key to the xp upgrade you have .so you can install the upgrade as a full version xp,without having win98 loaded on the computer .any win98 cd will do .it has nothing to do with the win98 key on the computer case

Member Avatar for jbennet

OK here is the problem from the top:

1, I had a recovery partition for win98 (NO CD EVER!)
2. It was destroyed by a virus
3. I would like to install XP upgrade. I still have all the win98 COA etc.... so therefore isnt my licence still valid?
4. If so, how can i upgrade!

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

You will need to get a CD of the previous OS. Doesnt matter if you own it, or if it's Win98, ME, 2000. During setup of XP, you'll need to pop in the said CD when it asks you to. Thats it.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Damn. ok thanks. The only other os cd i have is NT4 workstation,

Member Avatar for jbennet

Damn. ok thanks. The only other os cd i have is NT4 workstation, can u upgrade that to home or is it pro only?

Member Avatar for caperjack

Damn. ok thanks. The only other os cd i have is NT4 workstation,

so,have you tried using it it is a windows os disk

Member Avatar for jbennet

upgrade nt4 u need xp pro. ill just have to sell my home upgrade and buy a ful student or oem version

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