XP repair questions?

Discussion in 'Software' started by datarunner, Sep 3, 2008.

  1. datarunner

    datarunner Byte Poster

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    hi all

    need some info here

    suppose u need to carry out a repair xp install. the customer has their COA but NO cd. so you use your own cd.

    which product key do u enter? theirs or yours.

    im guessing yours but wot then happens to the customers key

    info appreciated
     
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  2. Qs

    Qs Semi-Honorary Member Gold Member

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    Check the COA sticker on the customer's computer, it should contain an XP key - use this.

    Don't use your own XP key - you could get it banned and blacklisted if you're breaking Microsoft's terms and conditions set out in their EULA. If you wish to view the EULA then do a quick search on google for "Windows XP EULA".

    Hope this helps.

    Qs
     
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  3. datarunner

    datarunner Byte Poster

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    hi there

    thanx for the speedy reply

    yeah i thought using theirs is the correct way but will your cd support their key?

    regards
     
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  4. Qs

    Qs Semi-Honorary Member Gold Member

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    No problem. As for the support it depends - certain keys are tailored to only work with certain 'revisions' of the XP CD.

    For example - I may have a key that I got with my XP Professional SP2 CD.

    Said key may not work with your XP Professional (with no service packs) CD.

    Qs
     
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  5. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    In addition, on certain machines where "System Locked Preinstallation" (see here) has been used then it is possible that the COA sticker may not contain a valid key. On those machine you are *supposed* to use the restore disk, and use of that disk often bypasses the key request.

    It all depends on the make and model you are attempting to repair.

    Harry.
     
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  6. TimoftheC

    TimoftheC Kilobyte Poster

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    As an example of this I recently re-formated and installed XP on my own laptop but didn't use the restore disk as it includes too much crap in my opinion, so I grabbed me XP Professionsl CD and installed that. When it asked for the product key I duly inputed the one on the COA sticker (why are they on the bottom of the laptop - makes em difficult to read unless your cleaver enough to write it down first) but it wouldn't accept the key. Tried three times before I looked at the COA a bit closer and realised it was an XP Home COA. Had to borrow my daughters Home CD and re-install, which accepted the laptop COA key without problems and is now nice and speedy (for a laptop).
     
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  7. datarunner

    datarunner Byte Poster

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    hi there

    thanx 4 the info guys

    so the other persons coa key will work with any cd as long as the versions are the same? wot about if service packs are different?
     
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  8. Qs

    Qs Semi-Honorary Member Gold Member

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    No worries - we're here to help after all :p

    To be absolutely sure check the version and the SP additions. If they're both the same then you should be fine. I've had it in the past (as quoted in my example) where similar versions yet dis-similar service pack additions haven't meshed and therefore didn't work for repair purposes.
     
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  9. Qs

    Qs Semi-Honorary Member Gold Member

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    Spot on. Give that man a cigar.
     
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  10. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Usually, but not always. Some vendors distribute OEM keys that will work only with their install CD. But there's really no way to know for sure until you give it a try. :)
     
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