In message , Tim Meddick
writes:
Every copy of Windows is different - you can't just "paste" in any old
"key" into any copy of Windows - no, each key is unique to that copy
(cd-rom) it was made for.
Lest anyone misunderstand - every CD isn't unique (though every key is),
but there are an awful lot of versions of the CD: they're made in the
various versions, such as Home and Pro, and within each of those there
are various levels of generality from the full retail version down to
very specific-to-hardware OEM ones.
Keys for _identical_ CDs - such as two full retail pack ones - should be
interchangeable in as much as you should be able to use either key to
install with either CD; however, once you've used the key to install
Windows (assuming it was a full retail one and you're installing from
scratch), you then shouldn't use the same key on another computer.
Down at the OEM-specific level, although a batch of identical PCs might
have identical CDs (or, more likely, not have come with a CD at all, but
have had XP preinstalled at the factory - with a recovery partition if
you're lucky), they will still have different keys, which _might_ be
keyed to the actual hardware.
The only copy of WinXP you can download for free is going to be an
illegal "cracked" one.
Which, quite apart from the danger of it containing malware or
something, may well not be of use for the purpose Teacher123 wants,
which is presumably to install windows components, or repair files, on
pupil's own machines - as it is likely to be the wrong version, since
there are so many of them.
==
Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)
"Teacher213" wrote in message
...
I am teaching a class and a couple of students need *only* the Windows XP
media, is there a link that I could download just the ISO?
**They have keys, I have verfied, these are home users bringing their
desktops in for a computer class who don't have the original cd's that came
with their computers. I have verfied the keys stickered to the back of the
computer**
Thanks for your help.
--
J. P. Gilliver. 27 years experience in the electronics industry - seeking
employment (also computer, tester, trainer ...); email for details: CV at
http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/CV2010-3.tif (2-sheet TIFF)!
I haven't lost my mind; I have a tape back-up somewhere.