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Thread ID: 57069 2005-04-22 23:13:00 XP Home CDs bk T (215) Press F1
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347724 2005-04-22 23:13:00 I have 2 machines running XP Home. One of them has developed some problems and has to be reinstalled. The problem here is, I don't know which CD is for which machine. I may have activation problems if I don't use the correct CD for the correct machine.

Is there a way to identify the correct CD?

Cheers
bk T (215)
347725 2005-04-22 23:16:00 Theres a free application online called Magical Jellybean KeyFinder v1.41 (www.magicaljellybean.com)

It will tell you your Windows Key on the machine its run on :D
Myth (110)
347726 2005-04-22 23:45:00 dosn't matter which cd afaik. its the key that matters. tweak'e (69)
347727 2005-04-23 01:07:00 dosn't matter which cd afaik. its the key that matters.
It will matter if you use a Win XP CD that includes SP1 or SP2 when the original installation CD did not have any service packs included. The key won't work.
FoxyMX (5)
347728 2005-04-23 01:07:00 AFAIK, only "restore" CD's are tied to the model of computer. For normal retail CD's of XP, they are all exactly the same.

Restore CD's usually come with name brands such as HP and Compaq, and of course, some of the PC Company's as well.
pheonix (36)
347729 2005-04-23 01:20:00 It will matter if you use a Win XP CD that includes SP1 or SP2 when the original installation CD did not have any service packs included. The key won't work.


Fraid not, I use a copy of XP with SP2 on every machine that needs the OS reloaded,irrilvent if the comp was shipped with no sp,sp2,recovery cd's,OEm install,no cd's,retails install...

All their keys work with my OEM cd with SP2,though it does usually take a phone call to MS to get em activated.
Metla (12)
347730 2005-04-23 01:22:00 Theres a free application online called Magical Jellybean KeyFinder v1.41 (www.magicaljellybean.com)

It will tell you your Windows Key on the machine its run on :D


Thanks, downloaded the keyfinder and extracted the CD key successfully.

That's great. :)
bk T (215)
347731 2005-04-23 01:34:00 Fraid not, I use a copy of XP with SP2 on every machine that needs the OS reloaded,irrilvent if the comp was shipped with no sp,sp2,recovery cd's,OEm install,no cd's,retails install...

All their keys work with my OEM cd with SP2,though it does usually take a phone call to MS to get em activated.
Ah... well your experience is far greater than mine but not long ago I formatted a computer and tried reinstalling Windows XP using my Win XP SP1 disc and the CD key on the case and it refused to budge. Was in a bit of a pickle until the owner found their SP1 exclusive CD and it was happy to install after that.

To be on the safe side I won't be trying that stunt again. :groan:
FoxyMX (5)
347732 2005-04-23 01:37:00 . . .
All their keys work with my OEM cd with SP2,though it does usually take a phone call to MS to get em activated .

To avoid the hastle of calling MS re activation, does this RockXP program which backs up the activation file really works?

Has anyone ever tried it?
bk T (215)
347733 2005-04-23 01:53:00 Ah... well your experience is far greater than mine but not long ago I formatted a computer and tried reinstalling Windows XP using my Win XP SP1 disc and the CD key on the case and it refused to budge. Was in a bit of a pickle until the owner found their SP1 exclusive CD and it was happy to install after that.

To be on the safe side I won't be trying that stunt again. :groan:


I will endeavour to stop talking like my experiences are the final word on all things...(yeah right,more likely I'll bulldoze on just as before)

Muhahahaha.

There are bound to be many incompatibilities, though as far as installing Xp goes I have a 100% strike rate so far.... :badpc:
Metla (12)
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