Tigertribe Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 First, thank you for taking the time to read this.I have had an OEM version of WinXP Pro installed for approx 2.5 years. (Purchased from Newegg and registered in my name) I wanted to reinstall it on the same system just to clean things up and start fresh, you know how windows gets after an extended period of time... I reinstalled windows on my second Raptor HD, leaving the initial install on the first, disconnected. When I went to register the copy, it wouldn't allow me to do so and I ended up called MS Support. After 90 minutes on the phone they were unable to help me, and unwilling to give me another reactivation code. I requested that my $35 support fee NOT be charged, and hung up. I then tried booting into safe mode and replacing c:\windows\system32 wpa.dbl and wpa.bak with the ones from the original install. This didn't work either, Windows kept prompting me to register and wouldn't allow me to log in at all without doing so.My question is this: Is it possible to boot my original installation of Windows and reinstall a fresh copy on another HD from there, then just transfer what I want to transfer?REALLY appreciate any help you might have, or any other suggestions you might have. I just don't want to buy ANOTHER copy of WinXP if I can help it, I've given Mr. Gates enough money over the years. Um, at least till Vista SP1 comes out...Best regardsNick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 The problem with Windows OEM is, as you have found out, it dies with the computer - which in your case is the hard drive.What it may be possible to do (but it is not guaranteed to work) is to clone the original drive on to another drive of the same make and model and then replace new for old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigertribe Posted October 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 The strange thing, though, is that I've reactivated OEM copies of previous versions of windows, AND windows XP before with no problems. Perhaps Microsoft is just getting a bit tougher on their policy.The only real reason I wanted to do this is because my install is getting quite a bit unwieldy and I just wanted a fresh install on the same hardware. Not possible?Thanks again for your help...Best regards-Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 I don't fully understand some of these terms. What is the difference between an OEM version and the full installation disk that I requested when I bought my computer? Since buying it I have reinstalled Windows XP several times, and even installed it on a replacement hard drive. How much difference if any is there in prices? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigertribe Posted October 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 If you got Windows with your computer, preinstalled, you have an OEM version. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer or something like that. The difference is OEM is one that's supposed to come WITH a new computer, and RETAIL is a stand alone version that someone would buy for an OS upgrade. I always buy OEM versions from computer companies; they get around the issue by making you buy it with a piece of hardware.Anyway, the XP installation code on your PC is the deciding factor. If it was preinstalled, it's an OEM code. There's a cool program, if you don't already have it, called Belarc Advisor. (free) www.belarc.com You load a small client and it gives you a printout of everything on your PC, hardware and software, including your Windows installation code.Best regards-Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigertribe Posted October 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Missed the price inquiry.OEM can be purchased for around half of the retail price. Where I am, I can get XP PRO OEM for around $130 US, and XP PRO retail is $279. From what it seems, though, your OEM version has served you well. As I said, I have never had this issue till this point, and I was kind of surprised.XP Pro Retail UPGRADE is $199, the upgrade is always cheaper and it contains a complete version of the software, you just have to have proof (the disk) that you have a previous version. Once you put the previous version disk in your PC, it loads the complete version.I noticed that XP Media Center Edition with SP2, OEM, is only $109. From what I've read Media Center Edition is XP Pro with the Media center features added on. Strange that it's cheaper than XP Pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigertribe Posted October 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 One last thing-I read that as of September, 2005, Microsoft had started making it VERY difficult to reinstall XP OEM at ALL, ESPECIALLY if you make a hardware change. Basically, then, according to Microsoft, OEM disks are only good for one install.Guess we have to help put Bill and Melinda's kids through college however we can..Best regards-Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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