XP License on old Laptop...

"Pete" <Pete.RemoveThis@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2007.04.07.19.59.03.50960@nospam.com...
> I bought an XP laptop. It has a license but no disks. I bought on ebay. If
> I have to reinstall, am I out of luck?? If so, I'll put Linux ubuntu on it
> like my other machines.
> -Pete
>


Make a full backup now using 3rd party software

Pete wrote:
> I bought an XP laptop. It has a license but no disks. I bought on ebay. If
> I have to reinstall, am I out of luck?? If so, I'll put Linux ubuntu on it
> like my other machines.
> -Pete
>

You will need to have an XP operating system disk to install, but a
generic OEM one (if you don't have a branded one) will work with the
Product Key on the bottom of the laptop. If you don't have one, then you
can either get one from an online store like NewEgg or check with the
local professionals in your area. It might be cheaper to see if your
laptop mftr. still offers the restore disks for that model.

Or else go ahead and put Linux on the laptop. Whatever floats your boat.
I'm a SUSE fan myself but Kubuntu is nice, too.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

You could even borrow a disc to install it as long as oyu have the CD Key,
that is what is important.
When people buy software, they are buying the license anyway.

"Pete" <Pete RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2007.04.07.19.59.03.50960@nospam.com...
> I bought an XP laptop. It has a license but no disks. I bought on ebay. If
> I have to reinstall, am I out of luck?? If so, I'll put Linux ubuntu on it
> like my other machines.
> -Pete
>

This is usually not possible. Most laptops come with OEM keys that are tied
to that particular machine and version of the OS, and another Windows XP
disk will not accept the license key.


One other thought..many manufacturers put a hidden restore partition on the
hard drive...you could use that to reinstall provided that the hard drive
itself does not fail or become corrupted.

Honu


"Rick" <Rick RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uzjM6zYeHHA.3956@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> You could even borrow a disc to install it as long as oyu have the CD Key,
> that is what is important.
> When people buy software, they are buying the license anyway.
>
> "Pete" <Pete RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:pan.2007.04.07.19.59.03.50960@nospam.com...
>> I bought an XP laptop. It has a license but no disks. I bought on ebay.
>> If
>> I have to reinstall, am I out of luck?? If so, I'll put Linux ubuntu on
>> it
>> like my other machines.
>> -Pete
>>
>
>

Hertz_Donut wrote:
> This is usually not possible. Most laptops come with OEM keys that are tied
> to that particular machine and version of the OS, and another Windows XP
> disk will not accept the license key.

This is incorrect. You may be thinking of the opposite situation, where
an XP OEM disk received from a particular OEM will not work on another
computer. This is the case with Dell XP install disks, for example.

However, a generic (or same-brand) OEM will work with the laptop's OEM
key. It may be necessary to call in the activation; my experience with
activation in these situations runs about 75/25 (call/not call).


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

On Sat, 07 Apr 2007 18:26:16 -0700, Malke wrote:

> Pete wrote:
>> I bought an XP laptop. It has a license but no disks. I bought on ebay. If
>> I have to reinstall, am I out of luck?? If so, I'll put Linux ubuntu on it
>> like my other machines.
>> -Pete
>>
>
> You will need to have an XP operating system disk to install, but a
> generic OEM one (if you don't have a branded one) will work with the
> Product Key on the bottom of the laptop. If you don't have one, then you
> can either get one from an online store like NewEgg or check with the
> local professionals in your area. It might be cheaper to see if your
> laptop mftr. still offers the restore disks for that model.
>
> Or else go ahead and put Linux on the laptop. Whatever floats your boat.
> I'm a SUSE fan myself but Kubuntu is nice, too.
>
>
> Malke
Yup, I'm an ubuntu fan.