windows activation query

J0hnb0y · 20 Oct 2007 at 03:38

i really really need to start a fresh with XP...however when i bought my pc (wish i had built it lol) i was supplied with a windows serial on the case but naturally no disc. is it possible to use a friends disc and then activate windows with my serial or do discs and serials match?

thanks

Duke · 20 Oct 2007 at 08:33

If it didn't come with a CD then it will be part of a hidden recovery partition on your hard disk. When it posts, look out for 'Press F12 for recovery' or similar

Make sure you backup what you need to onto CD first!

marc2003 · 20 Oct 2007 at 08:48

J0hnb0y said:
is it possible to use a friends disc and then activate windows with my serial or do discs and serials match?

thanks

get your mates disk and start setup from within windows. one of the first things it does is ask for your product key. if it accepts it, then it will be fine to use it for a clean format. once you've checked that, simply exit the install and it will drop back to your desktop. it don't do any harm to your pc.

gillywibble · 20 Oct 2007 at 10:40

If you can't activate your mate's copy of XP due to the number of times it's been used, simply phone the activation phone number and you'll get another code. It's all automated, and all you need to do is confirm that you've made significant hardware changes.

Burnsy2023 · 20 Oct 2007 at 11:56

Gillywibble said:
If you can't activate your mate's copy of XP due to the number of times it's been used, simply phone the activation phone number and you'll get another code. It's all automated, and all you need to do is confirm that you've made significant hardware changes.

He shouldn't use anyone else product key though.

There are sets of media tied to specific product key pools. If your mates disc is from the same OEM, then it'll most likely work. However, if your pc is from say HP, and your mates disc is from Dell, it probably won't accept the key.

Burnsy

Tute · 20 Oct 2007 at 12:27

I was going to add what Burnsy did.

My girlfriend uses XP OEM on her machine, and I use XP OEM on mine. However our keys WILL NOT install with each other's disks.

Mine is a student licence version, and hers is the OEM version you get from a retailer.

Your safest bet is to go back to the system manufacturer and ask for another disc. Long winded yes, but will probably save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

J0hnb0y · 20 Oct 2007 at 14:08

bugger...

it took 3 months to get my computer in the first place off no competitors please!, not holding out too much hope for the disc hehe.

thanks for the help guys, will try the above suggestions and see how i go. otherwise i feel a purchase of vista might be in order...