Hi.

I would like to use my xp home disk to fix a neighbor's pc. The problem
is, when I use my neighbor's code and my Windows XP Home cdrom, it
tells me the key is invalid!

What is the point of not allowing someone to use another disk to load
the software when you have a valid key??

I need to get XP back on this box pronto and don't have the system's
original recovery disk.

Help??

Suggestions??

"Steve" wrote

> Hi.
>
> I would like to use my xp home disk to fix a neighbor's pc. The problem
> is, when I use my neighbor's code and my Windows XP Home cdrom, it
> tells me the key is invalid!
>
> What is the point of not allowing someone to use another disk to load
> the software when you have a valid key??
>
> I need to get XP back on this box pronto and don't have the system's
> original recovery disk.

The XP CD is not unique but it has to match the license key with respect to
language, Home v. Pro, Retail v. generic OEM, and branded OEM vs branded OEM
(such as Dell or HP). Is his license key one that's on a sticker on the
side of the computer case? If so then it's OEM and could be a branded OEM
which will only work with a CD from that OEM. Is yours retail or OEM or
branded OEM? If you gave us specifics on the versions of each we can give
you more definitive info.

Steve replies:

The CD I am using is a full version purchased at the store.

The "restore disk" for the Compaq PC I am working on was actually a
partition on the disk of the system that I am trying to install to.

I decided to order the recovery disk from HP. Let's hope that works!

Anyway, if there is any way to load this system while I am waiting for
the recovery disk, please let me know.

I still find it rediculous that you can't just "install windows." It's
supposed to be an OS, right? If you have a valid code and a valid disk,
why shouldn't you be able to install??


Rock wrote:
> The XP CD is not unique but it has to match the license key with respect to
> language, Home v. Pro, Retail v. generic OEM, and branded OEM vs branded OEM
> (such as Dell or HP). Is his license key one that's on a sticker on the
> side of the computer case? If so then it's OEM and could be a branded OEM
> which will only work with a CD from that OEM. Is yours retail or OEM or
> branded OEM? If you gave us specifics on the versions of each we can give
> you more definitive info.

"Steve" wrote

> Steve replies:
>
> The CD I am using is a full version purchased at the store.
>
> The "restore disk" for the Compaq PC I am working on was actually a
> partition on the disk of the system that I am trying to install to.
>
> I decided to order the recovery disk from HP. Let's hope that works!
>
> Anyway, if there is any way to load this system while I am waiting for
> the recovery disk, please let me know.
>
> I still find it rediculous that you can't just "install windows." It's
> supposed to be an OS, right? If you have a valid code and a valid disk,
> why shouldn't you be able to install??

> Rock wrote:
>> The XP CD is not unique but it has to match the license key with respect
>> to
>> language, Home v. Pro, Retail v. generic OEM, and branded OEM vs branded
>> OEM
>> (such as Dell or HP). Is his license key one that's on a sticker on the
>> side of the computer case? If so then it's OEM and could be a branded
>> OEM
>> which will only work with a CD from that OEM. Is yours retail or OEM or
>> branded OEM? If you gave us specifics on the versions of each we can
>> give
>> you more definitive info.

As I said in the original post, the CD has to match the license key. Your
retail version uses a retail key, and the key on the Compaq works only with
the Compaq recovery CD. It's a choice made by vendor (in this case
HP-Compaq) to install a customized version which only works with their
license key. Personally I would never get a computer that has that
limitation or didn't come with a full XP installation CD. OEMs do it for
cost savings.

Different versions of XP have different features and different costs. You
can't have a license key work on any version.

You can install your retail copy using the license key for it, just don't
activate it. I think you have 3 days to activate before it will only boot
into safe mode. That will give you enough time to recover data.