PCTech Forums

Okay,

I've got this friend who installed a OEM version of xp home edition. But the keys actually are registered with Microsoft to another user. There is a 30 day trial period that the OS can be used. I guess that it needs to be registered online after the trial period or it will not work. I want to know what his most economical optioins are . I dont think buying just a key would work because it already has one on the original OEM. I also like the idea of upgrading his computer to WinXP Professional. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

Phone up Microsoft Customer Service...tell them you had to re-install your OS and can't find the Reg.Key...they'll give you a new one.....

Don't know if they do that over the Internet,I think you have to call them.

Cactus

Yes the other user who had the original install is still using XP home. Which is installed on another user's machine now. I spent hours on this machine installing drivers for the chipset, all the internal and external components, updating Windows. So along with being economical, I'm trying to salvage the work I already put into it. What would happen if this computer wasn't registered out of curiosity sake? Another question, if i did an install of Windows XP Pro, would I get a new registry key for it with that software?

You can't install the same copy of Windows XP on several different computers, because they have different hardware serial numbers. If you try, when the activation ID is checked against your original activation ID, they won't match, so Microsoft won't allow you to activate Windows XP. This is how Microsoft's product activation prevents casual piracy.

Example, if you loan your copy of Windows XP to a friend, when he installs it on his computer it will create a different activation ID. The problems will begin when your friend tries to activate Windows on him computer and this new activation ID does not match the activation ID of the previously installed version. Windows periodically checks the activation ID with the activation servers at Microsoft. Your computer will periodically report to Microsoft's activation servers, and you will not be asked permission beforehand.

If you reinstall Windows XP on what appears to be a different computer: If you replacing more than three hardware components in your computer may causes the software to require reactivation. When this happens, you will have about 30 days to call Microsoft to get permission to continue to use the product. If you cannot activate the product by then, you will not able to log on to Windows. You will need to call Microsoft so that you can get your product activated.


Microsoft activation scheme appears at this time to allow you to upgrade up to three hardware components at the same time without deciding that you have moved it to a different computer. After the new hardware has been installed, the activation system will automatically updates your activation ID to reflect your new hardware, and may transmits that to Microsoft's activation server. You can then replace additional hardware, without fear of exceeding the three-device limit. So don't plan on installing more than three new computer components at the same time.

And no..you must already have a Reg Key installed.

Cactus

What if I only bought only a COA for XP Home? Then called Microsoft with the legit key. The software used for the install came from a dell, when i checked registration properties under my computer it had a OEM label.

Sounds like you might have to buy a copy of XP?
Or you could get a hacked serial # but thats not good to do!

I'm not too sure what you're asking - I think you're saying can you use a copy of someone elses CD, and just use your legitimate key with it. If that's the case then that's fine - I see no problem with that. If you're using the same single user key on 2 installations then you will need to use a keygen to generate the activation code for the second - obviously that second option is illegal and we cant condone it, but those are your options

Yes that is what I was asking Reztek. I'm going to buy a legitimate COA online and call it into Microsoft. I just was not sure if it was an option. Thank you all.