Window XP OEM Help

hibeesmad · 24 Apr 2008 at 17:26

Hey guys, I have a Windows XP OEM CD. I want to format my hard drive and start fresh. Will I be able to fully install XP using this CD, and will I be able to use the CD Key, which is visible in my computer properties?

Hope someone can help.

swinnie · 24 Apr 2008 at 17:36

hibeesmad said:
Hey guys, I have a Windows XP OEM CD. I want to format my hard drive and start fresh. Will I be able to fully install XP using this CD, and will I be able to use the CD Key, which is visible in my computer properties?

Hope someone can help.

As long as it is the same version of XP that you have installed on your system, it will match the CD Key that is stuck on your PC.

So, it will say something like "XP Home SP2" you will need the XP Home CD with SP2 automatically installed.

hibeesmad · 24 Apr 2008 at 17:41

swinnie said:
As long as it is the same version of XP that you have installed on your system, it will match the CD Key that is stuck on your PC.

So, it will say something like "XP Home SP2" you will need the XP Home CD with SP2 automatically installed.

The CD I have was the one used when it was first installed on my PC. I want to delete all my current partitians and completely start again, will this be ok? Thanks,

Johnny.

Brian Stuart · 24 Apr 2008 at 18:29

As long as you have a product key on the side of your case. The "key" you see in computer properties is not the product key that you need to enter to install XP.
Also you can use any XP Home OEM disk to install XP. Home Service packs have no effect.

hibeesmad · 24 Apr 2008 at 18:49

Brian Stuart said:
As long as you have a product key on the side of your case. The "key" you see in computer properties is not the product key that you need to enter to install XP.
Also you can use any XP Home OEM disk to install XP. Home Service packs have no effect.

Well my PC is custom built, so there is no serial code on the side of my case. I got someone to built it for me. I know I have the CD and box so should it all be in there? I know it is OEM however. Thanks for your time,

Johnny.

RJC · 24 Apr 2008 at 18:52

You should have a certificate of Athenticity which shows your product key, if this was built by someone else he should have stuck it to your case or left it loose.

Rob

Edit: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=7368885&postcount=41 - gives you the idea what the cert should look like (just in case

)

hibeesmad · 24 Apr 2008 at 18:55

RJC said:
You should have a certificate of Athenticity which shows your product key, if this was built by someone else he should have stuck it to your case or left it loose.

Rob

Edit: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=7368885&postcount=41 - gives you the idea what the cert should look like (just in case )

I will have a look inside the Windows XP box I got, hopefully it is there.

hibeesmad · 24 Apr 2008 at 19:54

I just had a look and the Authorisation sticker isnt there. Will I be able to contact Microsoft and request another code? I still have the OEM box with build date, roll ID etc.

Thanks.

Burnsy2023 · 24 Apr 2008 at 20:12

hibeesmad said:
I just had a look and the Authorisation sticker isnt there. Will I be able to contact Microsoft and request another code? I still have the OEM box with build date, roll ID etc.

Thanks.

No, MS won't replace your COA, it should have been stuck to your PC.

Use the magic jelly bean finder to find our your product key

Burnsy

hibeesmad · 24 Apr 2008 at 20:39

Burnsy2023 said:
No, MS won't replace your COA, it should have been stuck to your PC.

Use the magic jelly bean finder to find our your product key

Burnsy

Thank you very much!

However, it has not recognized most of my other games, is there any other simlar programs to this, as I am planning on backing up all my serial numbers.

Diggsy · 24 Apr 2008 at 23:21

IIRC Belarc lists most of your installed serials...

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html