Windows CD.... Alternatives?

[Xaneden]

Hey guys,
It would appear that I've misplaced the OEM copy of Windows XP Pro that came with my Dell laptop, and I unfortunately need to reinstall Windows. I have a legal and working CD-Key for this copy of XP (its on the bottom of the laptop) too.

I also have a legal copy of Windows XP Pro + SP2, which I have yet to install on my desktop, for which it was purchased. My question is, if I were to install Windows using this CD, and enter the CD-key from my OEM copy, would it work?

Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

[Funkstar]

should do. it would technically be the same as if you had slipstreamed SP2 into your OEM copy of XP yourself, so i don't see any problem whith that.

[Jonny M]

Is the XP you bought retail or OEM?

[herulach]

Is the XP you bought retail or OEM?

From a licencing point of view it shouldnt matter, as the licence covers the installation not the media, which is why theres nothing wrong with slipstreamingyour own xp discs. He has 2 licences, hes entitled to install it on 2 machines.

If theres something different about oem cds then fair enough, but from a licence perspective you should have 0 issues.

[Mike Fishcake]

It will work.

[JPreston]

I didn't think that EVERY key works with EVERY CD....as though they come in batches with keys being interchangeable only within a batch, or something. So I'd say it might work, or not. Which doesn't help anyone...

[dave87]

exactly, which is why we have somany copies of XP lying about at work, and we have to try each of them now, as they've stopped us buying bulk licences

Dave

BTW deffinately worth a try tho.

[TheAnimus]

With corperate license keys, all corperate (eopen) cd's should work.

Retail/OEM is another ballgame!

[kempez]

Buy a Dell XP disc off of ebay for about £1.50 mate. I scratched my CD (genuine OEM) and just bought a Dell one off of ebay and used the working license key I had

[Xaneden]

Well, the new SP2 XP Pro disc I have is OEM too. I'll definately consider doing what you suggested though Kempez815.

Thanks for all your help guys.

[darrensen]

Im 99% sure that your OEM serial will NOT work with a retail windows cd. OEM serials are not on the retial CD. I have tried this before. Like someone has posted before, try and get a cd from ebay.

[zhenboy]

I've tried it before... You need to use OEM winxp install discs to go with OEM cdkey.

[zhenboy]

Sometimes the cdkey has to match the OS version as well.
e.g. if the original cdkey is for winxp sp1, you probably need a xp install disc with sp1. The latest winxp w/ sp2 disc will NOT work.

[darrensen]

My serial that i got with win xp pro works with SP2 installation.

[zhenboy]

yes most of the times the original xp pro (w/o sp) cdkey should work with the newer version installation discs but i said 'SOMETIMES' they wouldnt work!

[mark19632]

Also the keys for the upgrade XP disc do not work with the full retail or OEM versions