What is the right way to have my xp back

Hi guys – i have one question:
I have sony laptop from some time, but had to change the hd.
So, now i have hd i want to put the xp, but don’t have the cd (as i never get it).
Can i borrow and install xp, and then activate the xp by changing the registry key, as i have my xp system sticker on the back of the laptop (which was originally instaled on the previous hd)?
Thanks. Zackar

 

Welll borow the XP CD and then activate it by using the first HD serial number,if you dont know it,you can install this application on the first HD to recover the serial number and then use it in other HD. Greetings DevGeek...

 

Hi, thank you for reply; the problem is that previous hd is, well, dead, and i am not unfortunately able to recover the keys.
Any other suggestion please.

 

If you can borrow an XP install or Restore CD from another Sony machine, installing that using the key printed on your laptop should work. It may not need activating, and 'should' be classed as 'Genuine Windows'.

Using an XP install/Restore CD from another manufacturer using your laptop key may work to install Windows but it could fail the latest Microsoft test for 'Genuine Windows'.

Alternatively, try contacting Sony support for whichever country you are in, they should be able to help you out for a small fee (whether they would be willing to help out is a different matter though).

 

KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe
Have used the above mentioned software on an HP laptop after installing XP Home from another PC's OEM installation disk and then, after updating product key, registered it. The PC had a beta version of XP Pro on it, she purchased it at a garage sale. Used the product key on the Microsoft sticker on the bottom and key change worked, that time...

 

Thank you for advice.

I will borrow this afternoon xp sp3 home edition (on my original hd there was just xp home).

As I understand, I would have to input during the installation the key from that cd (not my kye from the xp sticker on the laptop), and then, when I want to activate it, I should change the key to my key from the sticker. Does it matter if the cd will be xp sp3, and my key is for just xp.

I am sorry if these q's maybe looks silly, but I want to register my copy of xp which belongs to this laptop, and of course to have access to all xp security updates.

I did contact sony, and they would send the cd but would have to pay (?! - why?)

Thank you once more. Z

 

I would first try the key from the COA sticker on the laptop during install, if that fails, use the key from the CD.

You may have success changing the key with some of the tools available, if not, activate online and if needed, use the MS tool to change it. If necessary, activate by 'phone.

Good luck

 

Use the key from the laptop's COA sticker. Since it is an OEM product key, you will have to activate by phone. Just follow their directions.

Sony is charging you because it costs them money to make the CD and mail it to you.