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Thread ID: 109982 2010-05-30 06:08:00 HELP!! SOMEONE? Fresh install of XP.. smudge (13752) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
889336 2010-05-30 10:22:00 Does your sticker say XP Home Edition, or XP Media Centre edition? Greven (91)
889337 2010-05-30 10:58:00 Or call MS and they'll give you an activation code if the key is legit :) WarNox (8772)
889338 2010-05-30 14:16:00 Yeah the CD needs to match. If yours is SP1 and theirs is SP2 it won't work.

You need to borrow an SP1 from someone
Agent_24 (57)
889339 2010-05-31 08:22:00 Yeah the CD needs to match. If yours is SP1 and theirs is SP2 it won't work.

You need to borrow an SP1 from someone

You can use a SP2 or SP3 CD as long as it is for the right version (XP Home, Pro & Media Centre all require different CDs)
Greven (91)
889340 2010-05-31 09:40:00 You can use a SP2 or SP3 CD as long as it is for the right version (XP Home, Pro & Media Centre all require different CDs) Thats actually incorrect.

It does have to be either home/pro Or media centre and the same Key.

Sometimes it works fine using any version with SP's, BUT there are other times esp if they are from Name branded PC's (dell is the worst), you cant use a SP2 or 3 if the original install was SP1 or earlier.

About 2 months ago, I had the exact same thing, it was an Dell Branded PC, the original had XP (no Service packs) the key on the side would not accept any of the SP1,2 or3 CD's I have. Had to dig out an Original XP OEM CD with no SP's then it went straight in.

I also have stashed away in a safe place a XP Pro Dell original CD, several times when doing reinstalls on Dells with XP Pro, that CD is the only one that will work, yet I have Several Versions of XP Pro, with different SP's that simply wont accept the Dell Keys.
wainuitech (129)
889341 2010-05-31 10:27:00 Thats actually incorrect.

It does have to be either home/pro Or media centre and the same Key.

Sometimes it works fine using any version with SP's, BUT there are other times esp if they are from Name branded PC's (dell is the worst), you cant use a SP2 or 3 if the original install was SP1 or earlier.

About 2 months ago, I had the exact same thing, it was an Dell Branded PC, the original had XP (no Service packs) the key on the side would not accept any of the SP1,2 or3 CD's I have. Had to dig out an Original XP OEM CD with no SP's then it went straight in.

I also have stashed away in a safe place a XP Pro Dell original CD, several times when doing reinstalls on Dells with XP Pro, that CD is the only one that will work, yet I have Several Versions of XP Pro, with different SP's that simply wont accept the Dell Keys.

Interesting. We don't see many Dells down here so hopefully I won't strike any like that. I don't have any dell windows install CDs & the customers usually don't either.
Greven (91)
889342 2010-06-02 10:05:00 I HAVE NEVER had any issues with this. If you call the tech support, they can activate it over the phone. As long as it is XP Home, then XP Home key 1 must have, if it is XP Pro sama sama. Just call them first its 0800 anyway. try activate it over phone. Failing this get a torrent, since if you legally own a copy of windows, then the EULA says you can have a copy of the CD AND USE IT. Failing that. go to a PC shop. ask them to burn you a cd, it usualy costs 10 bucks or something pittance, OR buy a five dollar case off trade me with the COA attached. P.S if the pc shop saays it is illegal, they are WRONG, however microsoft amended the EULA with Vista and Win7. Hope this helps. Mr_Olympia (7727)
889343 2010-06-02 10:09:00 Activating it is not the problem.

The problem is some name brand XP COA's will not work with any old XP home OEM CD.

I actually had the problem today,re-installed a Dell on a XP Home OEM CD with SP3 - wouldn't accept the key while installing, yet another CD thats only got SP2 worked fine.
wainuitech (129)
889344 2010-06-02 10:55:00 Any Dell OEM XP Home CD can be used to reinstall XP Home on any Dell which was shipped with it (and similarly for XP Professional). In fact, with a valid COA (such as on the sticker on the computer case. So he/she has two options, A)Buy a case with a new COA, or buy a new Dell CD. Actualy im gonna try a dell product key, since i have a case. then ill tell you if it works or not. Mr_Olympia (7727)
889345 2010-06-02 10:57:00 Cases dont come with COA's unless you buy another system. Dont think anyone would bother with that option just to get a key Speedy Gonzales (78)
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