Reinstall the Preinstall

[Philo]

Hi
I've got an original unopened OEM version of XP Home with
serial sticker, and a year old laptop with XP Home
preinstalled, but no XP Home disks came with the computer.
The burning question is, can I use the OEM unopened disk
to format and reinstall XP using the original serial
number(already on my computer) or would this OEM version
be unique to the serial number it was issued with?

Hope someone can enlighten me with knowledge or links.

Cheers

[Jim Macklin]

The preinstalled OEM uses a different Product Key series
than retail versions, so that number will not work. Since
you have the Microsoft (retail) OEM CD you can use it to
reinstall your OS and use the number that comes with the CD.
You will change number and reactivate.

There is no reason to be attached to the factory OEM product
key.

It should be understood that there can be a problem with the
term "OEM" because there are two types of OEM software.
Microsoft licenses companies such as HP/Compaq, Toshiba,
Dell or Gateway to use and modify Windows for their
purposes. The companies may leave some drivers off the CDs
they provide if those drivers do not apply...in other words,
they may not supply drivers for hardware they don't have in
their computers. They may add drivers for hardware they do
have that is not on a Microsoft CD.
Microsoft sells a retail Windows CD and an OEM Windows CD
which are identical except for the EULA. This is so that
hobbyists can buy an OS and it is tied to that computer. A
retail OS can be transferred from computer to computer (on
at a time) and an OEM can not.

If you use the MS OEM on your laptop, you may need to get
some drivers from the laptop manufacturer's website. You
can try to contact the laptop maker to see if they can
provide you with a proper set of CDs.


"Philo" > wrote in message
...
| Hi
| I've got an original unopened OEM version of XP Home with
| serial sticker, and a year old laptop with XP Home
| preinstalled, but no XP Home disks came with the computer.
| The burning question is, can I use the OEM unopened disk
| to format and reinstall XP using the original serial
| number(already on my computer) or would this OEM version
| be unique to the serial number it was issued with?
|
| Hope someone can enlighten me with knowledge or links.
|
| Cheers
|
|

[Tarl]

Thanks Jim

It's what I expected. I was hoping I could use two licences on two computers
with only the one Win OEM CD. Never mind eh?

Even though the manufacturer of my Laptop didn't send me a copy of the
preinstalled XP, I have got all the drivers so there should be no problem
there. I only hope the licence on the Win OEM CD I have, hasn't been used by
pirates (it's in open view on the OEM packet).

Cheers again mate