spacemanspiff Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 I have a Compaq Presario which came with Win XP Home on it. I have seriously messed the hard drive up, and the partition that holds the XP install data is gone, and so is my install. (I tried running the Recovery CD and it wouldn't fix anything, and I also HP couldn't help me out when I called them about it.) Anyway, to the question, can I somehow install Windows XP with a friends disk, then enter the OEM Product Key that came with the (my) computer? If not, do you think Microsoft would be nice enough to give me a Retail Product Key if I were to call them and ask them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacemanspiff Posted March 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 So can this be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 No.Although all of the "working contents" of the two versions is the same there is a code that differentiates the OEM from the Retail and in turn from the Upgrade versions.It is possible for the user to change this code in the downloaded/installed system but that is against the conditions imposed by the agreement you accept when you first install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 It will not work. You will be told the key you have entered is invalid and it will not complete. There is no way around it, but purchasing a full version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacemanspiff Posted March 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 Now if I could locate an OEM install disc, could I use my royalty OEM key with that disk? And, if that could be done would it matter that the key that came with my computer was for Windows XP (without any service packs) and I used the key with an OEM install disc with Service Pack 1 or 2 on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cozofdeath Posted March 3, 2007 Report Share Posted March 3, 2007 If you have no other option and MS charges you for a new key, give this a shot. You must have a valid key to do this and to later activate. http://freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00066.shtmlNow if I could locate an OEM install disc, could I use my royalty OEM key with that disk?YesAnd, if that could be done would it matter that the key that came with my computer was for Windows XP (without any service packs) and I used the key with an OEM install disc with Service Pack 1 or 2 on it?I don't believe it will matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacemanspiff Posted March 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 If you have no other option and MS charges you for a new key, give this a shot. You must have a valid key to do this and to later activate. http://freepctech.com/pc/xp/xp00066.shtmlNow if I could locate an OEM install disc, could I use my royalty OEM key with that disk?YesAnd, if that could be done would it matter that the key that came with my computer was for Windows XP (without any service packs) and I used the key with an OEM install disc with Service Pack 1 or 2 on it?I don't believe it will matter.thanks alot man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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