I just bought a new computer that came with Windows Vista installed on it. I am considering running XP on it instead. My old computer has a product key for XP, and I'm under the impression that since I have the product key, I have a license for XP. Is it possible to get just the software for XP that will work with my key? I'm hoping to find the software relatively cheap instead of buying a fully licensed version.
2007-07-20 12:50:36 · 5 answers · asked by Euler 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
u need the install disk for xp .... and it needs to match the date and version of the key you have ... not just any disk will do ...
2007-07-20 12:55:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it will work and here's why:
Install Problems – What Windows Does –Install on Another Computer – Product Key – 25-character code
When you buy Windows XP in a shrink-wrapped box, you are allowed to install one copy on one PC. When Windows comes pre-installed on a new PC, it stays with the PC. You cannot transfer it from the bundled machine to a different machine. MS uses a technique called “BIOS locking” to make sure the copy stays ties to that specific PC forever.
Windows installer makes you type the 25-character code that’s printed on the case. The Product Activation program looks at various serial numbers inside your PC – the processor, network card, disk drives, etc. – mixes them together, and produces a second 25 character code that identifies your PC. These 50 characters, together, are called the Installation ID.
When you activate XP, you give MS the 50-character Installaton ID. If nobody else activated that 25-character code or if it has been activated with that specific Installation ID (which means you activated this particular copy of XP from the same PC twice) MS send back a 42-character Confirmation ID. The Installation ID and the Confirmation ID are stored on our PC.
If that 25-character code has been already been used on a different PC you will be notified that the number of times you can activate Windows with this product key has been exceeded.
Source: paraphrased from p. 18, Windows Gigabook for Dummies, by Peter Weverka et al.
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Buy another WindowsXP CD:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_/105-1450462-8497263?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=WindowsXP
2007-07-20 13:05:48 · answer #2 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot use your old XP product key. That version of xp has been locked to your old computer. The EULA lets you have only one installation.
WIndows os is not cheap. Maybe you can find an independent shop that can get you a copy for around $100.
2007-07-20 13:05:35 · answer #3 · answered by conehead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. truthfully purely approximately 60% of living house windows xp application works with living house windows vista. application that has been produced by making use of Microsoft will artwork, yet application from different distributors has a tendency to place in and not function precise.
2016-11-10 00:15:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you know friends who have the software, then your best bet is either EBay, other software retailers, or Microsoft themselves.
2007-07-20 12:58:54 · answer #5 · answered by overkill_tester 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋