Hey guys,

I'm doing a clean install of Windows XP Home Edition on my sister's laptop. It originally had XP Home but it is over-run with problems so I just want to install over again to clean it up as a Christmas present.

The only problem is the laptop was a gift and she doesn't have the original CD's/manuals that normally come with a computer.

My question is: Can I use my Operating System CD that came with my laptop to do the clean install on her laptop? Will there be any problems (like a product key) that will cause any problems? Or if I wanted to use that same CD in the future to re-install XP onto my laptop, would there be any issues?

Not sure if it matters but both computers had XP pre-installed at the time of their purchases.

Thanks, any comments are appreciated

 

Is this a Dell or Gateway XP cd ?

 

The CD says it's an HP Notebook Operating System CD.

My laptop is an HP and she has a Compaq

 

Yes you can
But if there are any problems and you have to call just say you are installing it on the original computer that it came with. Theres no way they can know you are not doing it.

 

I could have sworn you can load it onto the computer but a Dell Cd will cause problems on a diffferent computer..

 

Other option, if the Restore CDs don't work and you need to get it up and running ASAP :
Run to store get a copy of XP (upgrade version if you have other Win version),
do whatever you have to do
then return it (to M$) for refund.

 

Ok thanks,

I'm guessing it will ask for a product key code, correct? Do I need to call Microsoft to get this or is it somewhere in my bag of stuff that came with the laptop?

I never had to enter one since this computer had XP pre-installed. But when I've done re-installs of XP at school on their computers there was always a product key on the CD case, but I don't have one.

 

if install from RETAIL CD - "product key code" is provided - yet you'll still have to call in for "activation code"

 

Is "activation code" the code that doesn't have to be entered for a couple days?

What I mean is I can just do the install right now, the CD already has the product key code, and then I can call later on (like a few days) for the activation code?

 

I'm a at this but, I have a couple of laptops with XP pre-installed and there is a sticker at the bottom of both lap tops with the product keys. Good luck to you.

 

Ha, I never knew that. Nice find

 

yes 30 days

 

cool,

starting the install now

 

IF you reinstall XP, you may have to reinstall drivers too I think.

 

It worked. used the product key on the bottom of my laptop (thank you klampytl)

Only problem is a screen problem that I can't figure out. There is about an inch of black space around the outside of the screen that is pretty annoying

 

hmm, they wouldn't be on the installation CD? The only other CD's it came with were the system recovery, cd creator, dvd player, and a documetation library (which I don't know what that is)

 

figured out the screen problem

I thought I had set the screen resolution already set but it didn't save

 

Nope I used my moms dell cd to install XP on my Carputer. I gave them an old serial number so it made me call them and then I just lied with no problems.

 

Glad I could help, Scottman

 

Awesome man.