Storage

Ask something
Question Locked

windows serials

0 helpful
8 replies

by snuffy09

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

i need to repair windows xp retail, however i dont have the cd. I do have a windows xp oem cd can i use this disc or will i have to use the oem serial?

thanks

thanks

8 replies

by pshiflet-24

In most cases you can install from the oem CD but you will need to update/find/install the appropriate drivers for the destination PC since it is not likely identical to the one the CD came with. Additionally, to be legit you need to go in and modify the Windows license key to the retail key. Check here for help doing that: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5034890.html.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have questions or this isn't quite clear. Thanks.

by snuffy09

if i do a repair of a retail install with an oem disc will i be prompt to enter a serial (for the oem copy)?

by kenone

If you try to do a new install, yes
btw some oem disks check the computer as soon as they spin up and will give you a message that this disk is only for use on "BrandX" computers. worth a try though if that's all you have.

by pshiflet-24

Ther is a lot of "it depends" on this. As stated above, some OEM discs simply won't install on other brand PCs. More often than not, though, they will install but only allow fresh installs, not repairs. Lastly, I do not believe I have seen an OEM disc ask for a license key yet (though some may do so). They tend to include the manufacturer's VLK or some other bulk install key. You need to go and manually modify the key once the install is complete.

by snuffy09

OEM and retail serials are different

if i repair with a OEM cd can i use an OEM serial or do i use retail serial?

by pshiflet-24

...whether from an OEM cd or a retail cd when asked for your license key you should be entering the COA key either from the side of the tower (OEM) or the the packaging (retail) and they will look the same. OEM serials, in my experience, are never actually entered in during installation by anybody but the OEM. Whenever you are doing a repair, if asked use the key that applies to the machine you are repairing. If, for some reason, you have to use a different key or it won't accept the correct key or you are not asked for a key during installation, change the key afterward to the appropriate key/license/serial...

This discussion is closed to new replies.