My boss's son's computer hosed up and needs a replacement copy of his Windows XP CD. It's an older Dell laptop and the key on the bottom says Windows XP Professional.

When I originally formatted it for him, I used my XP Pro CD, but the key on the bottom of the computer didn't work. I used my key, and then let the activation fail so I could call MS and get the key changed over to activate the OS and so we wouldn't get into that whole WGA validation mess.

Now, the computer is messed up again and my boss wants to mail him a copy of the CD so he can either try to repair it or format it again. The son isn't too comfortable with computers, and I don't want him to have to use my key, let it come up as illegal and have to go through all that MS phone stuff to get his key put into the computer.

Isn't there a version of XP out there that will accept any kind of key, and install that particular version of Windows? I'm thinking there are multiple versions of XP Pro, which would explain why the computer's key didn't work using my install CD.

Thanks

9/19/2007 8:09:21 AM

i've had the same problem with gateway's shit..try to find somebody with a dell and make a copy of their cd

9/19/2007 8:49:59 AM

the key on the bottom of your dell laptop is an OEM key, and it's tied to dell's specific install of xp pro.

there are generic OEM cd's, but they won't work with keys from dell/gateway/compaq/etc.

your best bet is to either a) get another CD from dell or b) buy a new copy of XP

you'll have a hard time convincing microsoft to replace your key.

9/19/2007 9:06:50 AM

The MS phone shit is completely automated now. You never have to speak to anyone. Not really a problem if you're forced down that path....

[Edited on September 19, 2007 at 9:14 AM. Reason : ]

9/19/2007 9:14:30 AM

really? i remember i always had to do some sweet talking to get them to activate my copy when it had already been used.

9/19/2007 9:20:15 AM

Just give them a nice cock slap... a nice gentle one tho

9/19/2007 9:44:42 AM

I always just punch in random numbers so I can speak to someone. Their automated system never really worked for me anyways.

I've done it 3 or 4 times now, getting some Indian person. I just tell them that I used my personal key to install the OS because the CD that came with the computer was lost. They have never given me any problems, and one guy said that it was the general consensus that MS doesn't mind you using other people's CDs, they're just happy that you want to validate with your legal key, and is happy to help you out to be legal.

9/19/2007 10:14:35 AM

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/windows/

will tell you if its a VLK (Corporate key aka dell), OEM (most small PC makers, some dells) or retail.

Yes they are all different versions. Go get a Windows XP SP2 9-in-1 disc from a torrent somewhere. I use one exactly for this purpose. My desktop uses XP Pro retail, one laptop uses Home OEM, one uses Pro OEM and so on.

[Edited on September 19, 2007 at 10:31 AM. Reason : .]

9/19/2007 10:30:10 AM

^ 9-in-one works, I've used that...there's also some OEM/corp cracked versions that don't require a key. And the M$ system isn't 100% automated...I had to talk to someone recently when I changed my processor out and WGA flipped it's shit. My key showed up as no longer valid, but the guy asked a few questions, gave me a new activation code and I was on my way.

[Edited on September 19, 2007 at 11:21 AM. Reason : .]

9/19/2007 11:20:26 AM