Windows key for SP2

/\ndy · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:51

hey everyone,

i got a copy of windows xp home a few years back and was just wondering...

Can i use my existing key with a service pack 2 disc? Juts saves me the hassle of downloading the updates when i re-format.

Cheers

Datamonkey · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:53

if its a genuine key,

and your running xp home on the machine, then i dont see why not.

You will soon know if it isnt genuine though lol

/\ndy · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:56

Datamonkey said:
if its a genuine key,

and your running xp home on the machine, then i dont see why not.

You will soon know if it isnt genuine though lol

definatly a genuine key when i bought the OEM edition a few years back, but i heard the OEM key is limited...not sure what all thats about.

mrk · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:03

i just reformatted my mates pc that is oem, didnt even need to enter the cd key when i booted with the oem xphome cd even though the key is printed on the label on the case. installed sp2 on it just fine and nothing else was needed. not even an activation wa sneeded either..

James J · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:27

If you change the motherboard on a pre installed system (oem version) which doesnt ask for the key on reinstalls then you'll have to get a new version of windows. Happened to me a while back after swopping a dead mobo out of my parents pre bought machine.

If you actually bought an OEM version of windows seperately then it wont matter either way

Absomalutely · 21 Jun 2006 at 15:53

as long as its the same version of windows. I ran into trouble when i borrowed a friends OEM cd to install xp home on my girlfriends laptop (she had the key), apparently retail keys are completly different from oem keys.

I've changed motherboard and still managed to install the same OEM copy. I didnt think that was possible??! :confused: