XP piracy

I have a question about XP piracy
Okay, say I'm working on a computer, and it turns out that I have to reformat it, and reinstall XP. However, I do not have any recovery disks or recovery partitions. I do have windows XP home full install. Would I be able to get the computer i'm working, it's XP Product ID number. Write it down, then install XP using the CD that I have, and just input the ID number I wrote down earlier, and not have any problems with activating windows? I'm just not positive, nor have I tried it yet. Thanks

 

If the product key is not in use by another computer, yes, it will work. I don't believe it would be piracy, either. MS validates with the product key and hardware, not the install disc. The license attached to the product key must match the disc version. The current OS must be XP Home to match your disc. If the OS was preinstalled by the manufacturer, it is most likely an OEM license. If you have a retail license disc, it won't work with a OEM license's product key and vice versa.

You can retrive the key with Rock XP.

 

Provided that the key you have is for precisely the same version the CD is.

In other words, if your key is OEM, the CD would have to be OEM. If your key was for XP Home, the CD must be XP Home. If your key is for an upgrade, then the CD must be an upgrade.

Understand?

You run into a bigger chance of it not working, than violating any piracy thing.

 

the only time you have a piracy problem is if you dowload your copy of XP be it HOME : PRO : VISTA (yes it is available on certain sites)from an unauthorised site and tried to validate it.:major