XP reinstall media question

I typically do XP reinstalls for friends with OEM reinstall media (Dell, HP, etc). A friend of mine lost his reinstall CD from Dell and wants me to install a legal copy of XP (which of course will need to be activated). Should I:

a) purchase an XP Home CD (media only) from a large software supplier and hope that the CD key affixed to the PC will work?

b) contact Dell for replacement media? (although I'm not sure if those CDs are PC specific)

I tried another Dell reinstallation CD, changed the product key in the registry, and wouldn't activate. Called MS activation with no luck, with them saying that each OEM CD is for the machine it came with. I don't want to tell my friend that he needs to buy a whole new license and media for something so stupid as a lost CD.


Any ideas?

 

You are always better off with a full copy of Windows if you can afford it. OEM is fine.

 

anyone else? I know retail would be the way to go, but it's silly if the license is sitting there affixed to the machine.

 

There is no difference between OEM and retail as far as the software, they are both fully funtional copies of the XP OS. The difference is in service provided. The OEM CD isn't tied to any computer or product key, so it will work. I use an OEM CD supplied with the license for my second computer to reinstall for my Compaq and have no problems reactivating with the Compaqs license key, as it is an OEM license also. I don't like going through all the trouble removing all the extra crap that's on the Compaq recovery CDs (there's seven of them-that's another factor.)

P.S.: It must be an OEM CD, apparently a retail install CD won't work with an OEM license or vice versa.

 

Thanks, Just Playin. For some reason, I have tried using another OEM disk from Dell, and it installed fine, changed the product key (from the directions MS KB article), and it said invalid key. MS activation hotline basically hungup on me, saying I was pushing piracy. Give me a break.

Should I just try another XP Home CD and see if this one takes?

 

Just Playin, you completely misunderstood what I was saying, or trying to say. (He asked for "legal")

Anyway, not worth going into.

Tennisball, most OEM CD's need an OEM product key.

Although I don't agree with Product Activation, nor support it, Micro$$oft are correct, what you are doing is piracy.

 

You misunderstood, and so did Tennisball since he used a Dell recovery CD, not a Microsoft XP Home OEM installation disk. Do not use the recovery CD supplied by the computer manufacturer (like Dells) which is keyed to a certain computer, use a Windows XP OEM disk from Microsoft (or a slipstreamed copy if you make one). As long as you have a valid license, it is legal. That is why a slipstreamed copy of the installation disk can be used in conjunction with a valid license to legally install the OS, in addition to the MS supplied disk. I asked Microsoft before I did it. Both of my computers have valid licenses/product keys and are legally activated through Microsoft's online activation and pass the Windows Genuine Product test. What Tennisball unintentionally did was technically piracy, as the Dell CD is licensed for Dell computers only. A Microsoft XP OEM installation disk (not the manufacturers recovery CD) is what I recommended. As long as he has a valid, legal license it will work and it will activate through Microsoft without problems, legal, technical or otherwise.

Do not call me a criminal or pirate ever again without facts to back it up.

 

Thank you for the replies. I think it's nuts that these manufacturers make these CDs keyed in with specific machines. It makes reinstallation a horrible time esp. when the machine is out of warranty.

Anyway, do you have any recommendations for companies that sell OEM media without licenses? I know a few resellers who XP Pro media (around $34) but not a Home CD.

 

I believe it is a violation of the Microsoft license to sell the disc without a license, and can't help you there. I acquired mine through entirely legal means. If you do not currently have access to a MS XP Home OEM disc, you probably will need to buy another package (disc and license) Here are some prices from the Majorgeeks Pricegrabber section.

As for the OEM recovery discs supplied by manufacturers like Dell, those have third party software included and are covered by a different license that reflects that fact.

 

Where did I call you a criminal or pirate?

Anyway, as I said, none of this matters.

If you want to continue this, PM me instead of on the forum, as I will not be replying nor viewing this thread.