I have this work laptop that didn't come with an install CD, but the XP Pro License key sticker is on the bottom of the computer. If I were to get my hands on an XP Pro disc could I expect to install it successfully using this key?

this is a Lenovo laptop purchased from newegg.

9/5/2007 4:01:20 PM

unless you blew away the service partition, you can boot to it and either A) restore to factory state or maybe B) burn off an XP disk.

if you did blow away the partition then you need to find a CD that works with that key. Best bet is to complain to lenovo until you get one.

9/5/2007 4:03:26 PM

You can activate it over the internet. Or you can call up Microsoft and read them the product key. They read you back some activation number and then your good. I've had a dell only cd and installed xp pro on a panasonic and it worked just fine.

9/6/2007 12:21:58 AM

I don't think you can. Stickers on computers have licenses/keys for OEM versions of the software. If you use XP Pro media to install you won't be able to use the key on the sticker. It will just report back to you that it is an invalid key.

You'll probably have to get an OEM install media or get an XP Pro key from MSDNAA.

[Edited on September 6, 2007 at 8:45 AM. Reason : -]

9/6/2007 8:44:06 AM

Getting OEM XP Discs is easy.



just call a local system builder, like intrex.

9/6/2007 8:46:09 AM

Is it a thinkpad? If so, their phone tech support will almost always send you free restore CD's if you tell them windows is screwed up and needs to be reinstalled. If you just ask for restore CD's with no problem though they'll charge you. Although they're allowed to charge you for restore CD's pretty much any time, they usually don't if there's a problem since the CD's are cheaper than the overnight airmail service.

Funny thing is that even outside of the warranty they don't charge for the shipping to and from even though it costs about 100 bucks. So even if your system is out of warranty, they'll still probably send you the CD's because it's cheaper then you sending it to them, them telling you what's wrong and how much it costs, and then you saying "nah, nevermind just send it back."

9/6/2007 8:48:43 AM

^^^

true found that out the hard way.

[Edited on September 6, 2007 at 8:49 AM. Reason : b]

9/6/2007 8:49:27 AM

if you need an OEM disc, lemme know. i was a system builder back in the day, and i've got plenty of XP kits just sitting around.

9/6/2007 9:28:10 AM

There are OEM disks as in the things you buy on newegg, and there are OEM disks as in a Lenovo OEM disk or an HP OEM disk.

They aren't all guanteed to work with the key on your laptop. Infact, I've had cases where HP OEM cds worked on certain model HPs but not others. If you can borrow one from a friend, it would be worth trying. I would still recommend using the recovery partition and not blowing it away if you try another xp disk.

9/6/2007 9:50:53 AM

^this is true, media can be tied to a certain group of keys AND a bios manufacturer ID.

9/6/2007 10:30:29 AM

search for "windows xp 8 in 1 torrent" or "windows 9 in 1 torrent," and run a virus scan just to be sure its clean (they usually are). those types of cds come with an OEM version of windows xp and home...in fact i just used one of these discs last night to reinstall windows on my laptop. i've used those discs at least 40-50 times to reinstall oem copies of windows xp with great success...they always work. you just have to call microsoft to activate...takes just a few minutes.

9/6/2007 10:51:47 AM

thanks guys. i will probably call tech support and see if i can get a legit cd that i know will work, because as i said this is a work computer and i don't need it to be down for days while i scramble to find a working install cd.

yes, its a work computer, but on the upside i am pretty much in control of it and what gets put on it. the downside is that i am pretty much in control of it and what gets put on it

9/6/2007 11:52:47 AM