Change of language version

Hello,

I've bought a Lenovo notebook with WinXP Pro Czech language version. Is it
legal to reinstall with a different (English) language version? The COA
sticker reads: "Lenovo Singapore, Windows XP Professional" and does not
specify language version.

If this is legal, I have a second question:
Is the reinstallation "feasible"? I know the product keys are usually tied
with a language version. I already successfully reinstalled the notebook
from a Czech OEM CD and used the code from COA. So I know that the key works
fine with the Czech OEM version. Ought it to work also with the English OEM
version, if the COA does not specify that the key is for the Czech version?

Thank you,
Martin.

On Jul 3, 11:43*am, "Martin Plechsmid" <S...@No.Mail> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I've bought a Lenovo notebook with WinXP Pro Czech language version. Is it
> legal to reinstall with a different (English) language version? The COA
> sticker reads: "Lenovo Singapore, Windows XP Professional" and does not
> specify language version.
>
> If this is legal, I have a second question:
> Is the reinstallation "feasible"? I know the product keys are usually tied
> with a language version. I already successfully reinstalled the notebook
> from a Czech OEM CD and used the code from COA. So I know that the key works
> fine with the Czech OEM version. Ought it to work also with the English OEM
> version, if the COA does not specify that the key is for the Czech version?
>
> Thank you,
> * * * * * *Martin.

CD Key are "language" coded. You must use the correct key for the
language the key was delivered. If the key was for a Czech version,
it needs the Czech software. However, since this is a Lenovo laptop,
the CD Key "bundled" with it may only work with the official Lenovo
"recovery" system / install CDs.

Well, the thing is that I don't know to which language version the key on
the COA belongs. I bought the notebook from my employer, and then it had a
"cloned disk image" version (thus with different product key) installed. The
COA shows no evident hints to determine the language version. I tried the
Czech OEM version, and the key fitted. Does it mean that it won't fit the
English version? I've got none to try yet.

Thank you,
Martin.


"smlunatick" <yveslec@gmail.com> píse v diskusním príspevku
news:103ee763-07bb-465c-a034-4eb00d811ad8@p29g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
On Jul 3, 11:43 am, "Martin Plechsmid" <S...@No.Mail> wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I've bought a Lenovo notebook with WinXP Pro Czech language version. Is
>> it
>> legal to reinstall with a different (English) language version? The COA
>> sticker reads: "Lenovo Singapore, Windows XP Professional" and does not
>> specify language version.
>>
>>If this is legal, I have a second question:
>> Is the reinstallation "feasible"? I know the product keys are usually
>> tied
>> with a language version. I already successfully reinstalled the notebook
>> from a Czech OEM CD and used the code from COA. So I know that the key
>> works
>> fine with the Czech OEM version. Ought it to work also with the English
>> OEM
>> version, if the COA does not specify that the key is for the Czech
>> version?
>>
>> Thank you,
>> Martin.
>
>CD Key are "language" coded. You must use the correct key for the
>language the key was delivered. If the key was for a Czech version,
>it needs the Czech software. However, since this is a Lenovo laptop,
>the CD Key "bundled" with it may only work with the official Lenovo
>"recovery" system / install CDs.

Martin Plechsmid wrote:
> I've bought a Lenovo notebook with WinXP Pro Czech language
> version. Is it legal to reinstall with a different (English)
> language version? The COA sticker reads: "Lenovo Singapore, Windows
> XP Professional" and does not specify language version.
>
> If this is legal, I have a second question:
> Is the reinstallation "feasible"? I know the product keys are
> usually tied with a language version. I already successfully
> reinstalled the notebook from a Czech OEM CD and used the code from
> COA. So I know that the key works fine with the Czech OEM version.
> Ought it to work also with the English OEM version, if the COA does
> not specify that the key is for the Czech version?

Being an OEM from Lenovo and saying "Singapore" on it... I believe that is
the version you need. Singapore.

Call Lenovo and/or look up the information on that serial number on their
web page.

Essentially - you may have to go as far as purchasing/ordering the version
you need from Lenovo - if they will even do that for you.

Otherwise - get ready to purchase a copy/license of the OS you want to
install on it in the language you want.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Thank you for your answer. However, Singapore version (i.e. Chinese)??? I
doubt that Asian versions of Windows would be sold in Europe. Did I
understand you correctly?

But, as I've already written, the product key on the COA fits with the Czech
OEM version. The question was whether it will be usable also with the
English OEM version. The COA for Czech OEM version I've seen were all in
Czech themselves, but my COA is in English.

Thank you,
Martin.


"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> pí¹e v diskusním pøíspìvku
news:eFmvji%23%23JHA.3544@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Martin Plechsmid wrote:
>> I've bought a Lenovo notebook with WinXP Pro Czech language
>> version. Is it legal to reinstall with a different (English)
>> language version? The COA sticker reads: "Lenovo Singapore, Windows
>> XP Professional" and does not specify language version.
>>
>> If this is legal, I have a second question:
>> Is the reinstallation "feasible"? I know the product keys are
>> usually tied with a language version. I already successfully
>> reinstalled the notebook from a Czech OEM CD and used the code from
>> COA. So I know that the key works fine with the Czech OEM version.
>> Ought it to work also with the English OEM version, if the COA does
>> not specify that the key is for the Czech version?
>
> Being an OEM from Lenovo and saying "Singapore" on it... I believe that
> is the version you need. Singapore.
>
> Call Lenovo and/or look up the information on that serial number on their
> web page.
>
> Essentially - you may have to go as far as purchasing/ordering the version
> you need from Lenovo - if they will even do that for you.
>
> Otherwise - get ready to purchase a copy/license of the OS you want to
> install on it in the language you want.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>

Hello,

I've tried an English OEM version of XP Pro, and it accepted the product key
too. So the key fits both to the Czech and English Windows, it is not
restricted to a particular language version. At least technically.

Martin.