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larryddd

larryddd

larryddd

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Joined
22 Apr 2009
Posts
594
hi
i have just built my first computer and everything is working well. i installed windows xp during installation it asked for the product key which i entered and it was accepted. window loaded fine but i have to activate the product in 30 days. i took the option to phone to activate the product because when i tried to activate online it said the key was invalid. so i phoned with the activation wizard on screen, entered the installation numbers on my phone, the operator then says there was an error in the installation number and would not generate a new product key. has anyone else had this and is the only answer a new copy of xp. thanks
 
hi
thanks for your quick reply, i was using the same OS as my laptop, didn't realize you couldn't use the same one. when i buy a new copy will it just go in over the top of the one that's installed. can you tell me why the computer accepts the product key during installation and not after. thanks
 
Sorry to hi-jack the thread, can I re-install XP (if I go back to this after Windows 7) onto my laptop with the key provided on the bottom by HP or is that key now defunct?
 
larryddd said:
hi
thanks for your quick reply, i was using the same OS as my laptop, didn't realize you couldn't use the same one. when i buy a new copy will it just go in over the top of the one that's installed. can you tell me why the computer accepts the product key during installation and not after. thanks
Click to expand...

Do you mean will you retain all your files etc? I'm not sure about this. I would back up all your files then do a fresh install.

As to why it accepts it during installation and not after, presumably this is since some people don't know they can't transfer the OS and it gives them time to do something about it. Maybe someone else can confirm this.

anticonscience said:
Sorry to hi-jack the thread, can I re-install XP (if I go back to this after Windows 7) onto my laptop with the key provided on the bottom by HP or is that key now defunct?
Click to expand...

If you're reinstalling it onto the same computer it should be fine.
 
hi
as I've just finished my first build and the only thing installed are the drivers, am i correct that it would be best if i didn't install anything else until i get a new copy of xp.thanks for your help
 
larryddd said:
hi
as I've just finished my first build and the only thing installed are the drivers, am i correct that it would be best if i didn't install anything else until i get a new copy of xp.thanks for your help
Click to expand...

If your new copy is exactly the same version as the one you installed already, wouldn't it be possible just to change your product key somehow?
 
Coxyis said:
If your new copy is exactly the same version as the one you installed already, wouldn't it be possible just to change your product key somehow?
Click to expand...

You can change product key from the activating screen on XP, provided as you say it's the same version.
 
hi
so that means when i get my new copy of xp i wouldn't need to do a re-install over the top of the old one, as long as its window xp home edition.
 
larryddd said:
hi
so that means when i get my new copy of xp i wouldn't need to do a re-install over the top of the old one, as long as its window xp home edition.
Click to expand...

Probably needs to be the same Service Pack version as well. But yes, you should just be able to go to the activation screen, pop in the new CD key and activate on-line. Always worked for me before at any rate!
 
hi
thanks for your help, just a follow on from there as there does not seem to be many copies of xp around, the obvious place would be ebay. has anyone bought a OS from there and what should i be looking for.
 
Download Windows 7 - it's free and better than XP :)

If you want to check XP's SP status, right click on My Computer and go to Properties and it will tell you there.
 
larryddd said:
hi
saw this on oc is it the right pack
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OS-001-MS&groupid=33&catid=20&subcat=
is windows 7 better than xp and if so where can i download it from and will it install on top of xp. thanks for your patiance
Click to expand...

I've been using Windows 7 for a few days and I do really like it.

However, it is still in development and will not be finished till next year. There are Release Candidates [i.e. very nearly the final version] floating around the internet which you can get hold of. You can get one and install it but bear in mind it's not finished and you could still get problems.

So basically you can get Windows 7 - an unfinished operating system - for free; or pay for XP which is extremely seasoned.
 
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hi
checked my computer it has SP2, am i right in that if i buy the one at oc i get the option of installing SP3, that means i would not have to re-install it but just enter the new product key. also i take it that the only difference and retail apart from the price is that you don't get ms support for oem
 
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