spectrum48k

A friend has a couple of business machines that don't have valid serial nos for WinXP

They all have existing install of WinXP including lots of software, so a clean install would take ages.

Question - is there a way he can buy 2 new copies of WindowsXP and use these serial nos on the 2 existing PC's ? Is there an app that can update the serial no. quickly and painlessly ?

Markus

First things first, check what version of windows XP he has, by that I mean whether it's Home, Professional, Corporate and possibly others. This is important as a new Home key cannot be used to legalize a Pro version of XP.

As for whether it can be done, yes, it can. Have a look here for info.

You might also want to try this on the PC. It's the official WGA check by MS. It will work out if you're copy is legit or not, and if not it'll allow you to purchase a key, and it does tell you what version of XP you have, so it'll make sure the key will work with the version you have. I *think* it might also tell you how to insert the new key.

** Edited to correct the "this" link

spectrum48k

Thanks Markus

Some good info there.

Can you correct the "this" link on your post - this seems a good option to use.

Markus

post edited, the link was http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/

spectrum48k

thanks Markus

Ian Cook

Theres this http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml is very useful, but is important you know if they are corporate installs as a shop bought licence wont work on a corporate install !

spectrum48k

Whats the difference between a corporate install and a retail licence ?

Ian Cook

They use different CD's, corporate version of Windows will only allow a corporate licence key to be installed ! So if you change the key, and put a retail licence key in, it will refuse to change it, as they are effectively different versions ! Same goes for OEM versions of windows too i believe, ie the ones shipped with new computers.

spectrum48k

How do you tell which one he's got ?

Ian Cook

Thats a very difficult question to answer im afraid ! And unfortuantely i am not sure what identifies one version from the other ! If he buys 2 retail licences and they cant be used on the 2 machines, it may mean a complete reinstall of windows to be safe ! i know its nto the answer you want but all i can say ! sorry !

spectrum48k

ok, we'll sort it - one way or another

thanks for the help

badcompany

http://www.torrentspy.com/

software links

Markus

I *think* the WGA check will tell you, if you have a dodgy key that is, when you say "buy a key".

One of the links I mentioned details how to change a corporate or VLK (volume licence key) version of XP to a regular XP Pro key.