Windows XP reinstall, CD-KEY?!

morguk · 1 Apr 2008 at 18:03

My brother has a sony PC with XP installed.
I want to do a clean install of XP. I have the disk but no CD-KEY.
Can i use the key on the sticker of the back of his PC?
Would it still be genuine and i wouldnt have to buy a new one? Thanks.

PhillyDee · 1 Apr 2008 at 18:05

Yes, thats what the sticker is. Its an OEM sticker, that key is valid for that system only.

Jakus · 1 Apr 2008 at 19:07

If it's the Sony recovery disc You will not need a key

Burnsy2023 · 1 Apr 2008 at 19:19

JAKUS said:
If it's the Sony recovery disc You will not need a key

There should be a COA on the machine though.

Burnsy

morguk · 1 Apr 2008 at 20:05

So in theory if i install windows xp (genuine cd or copied) i can just enter that key when installing and it will all be fine and dandy?

Over Clocker · 1 Apr 2008 at 20:08

Will need to be an OEM CD to work with an OEM key.

Rackerz · 1 Apr 2008 at 20:09

morguk said:
So in theory if i install windows xp (genuine cd or copied) i can just enter that key when installing and it will all be fine and dandy?

Legally on another machine? No. On that laptop, certainly.

Burnsy2023 · 1 Apr 2008 at 20:39

I'm still worried about whether the existing installation is legal, does the laptop have a COA anywhere on it?

Burnsy

Fire Wizard · 1 Apr 2008 at 22:45

Hello morguk, your brother has a Sony branded PC with Windows XP already installed.... Now, would you like to do a clean installation of Windows XP on your brothers system or another system for example, yours?

Sorry I'm slightly confused....

morguk · 3 Apr 2008 at 17:49

Fire Wizard said:
Hello morguk, your brother has a Sony branded PC with Windows XP already installed.... Now, would you like to do a clean installation of Windows XP on your brothers system or another system for example, yours?

Sorry I'm slightly confused....

Yes my brother has a sony desktop pc.
On the back it has a sticker with a cd-key.
I would like to do a clean install of windows XP on the sony PC.
I have a windows XP disk that my friend gave me.
Can i use that disk to do a clean install of windows XP on the sony PC.
Ans then use the key on the back of the PC?
Would this therefore be genuine?

Thanks.

Terrier_Jimlad · 3 Apr 2008 at 18:37

The key on the sticker will only work for OEM versions of XP, so if your friend has given you a corporate copy etc, then it will say invalid CD Key ...

If you want a genuine Windows install on that machine then you need to either:

1) use the recovery partition to reinstall Windows (comes as standard with most Sonys) - this won't ask for a key
2) Get OEM Windows XP media and try the key on the back ...

morguk · 3 Apr 2008 at 19:13

roflcakes22 said:
The key on the sticker will only work for OEM versions of XP, so if your friend has given you a corporate copy etc, then it will say invalid CD Key ...

If you want a genuine Windows install on that machine then you need to either:

1) use the recovery partition to reinstall Windows (comes as standard with most Sonys) - this won't ask for a key
2) Get OEM Windows XP media and try the key on the back ...

Thanks :]