Changing XP

I've built two new computers and only had one XP Professional CD at the time both were finished. I installed the same XP CD on both computers in order to trouble shoot and dial each one in. Now I have the second XP CD and need to install it on one of the computers in order to be 'legal' and install updates and patches. My question is, is there a way to install the new CD without having to reformat and re-install my programs?

Thanks,

IMSA

 

I think you can change the license Key look here
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q328874

 

You can change the product key, if, and only if:

1. the product key is of the same type of CD you installed, OEM vs. Retail, vs. VL, Home vs. Pro.
2. the product key is from the same install type of CD, full vs. upgrade.

The information is kept within a certain file on the CD, and gets copied to the hard drive when its installed.

Sorry, Google can tell you which file, I think it would be frowned upon if I tell you which file here.

 

Thanks Groovy Guys and Gals

I just went ahead and reformated and install the new windows CD to be on the safe side. I'll sleep well knowin Bill Gates and his swat team isn't going to drag out of my house tonight and haul me off to prison.

IMSA

 

They wouldn't do that, they would just laugh and point when you tried to activate and failed