Re-installing XP Home OEM - product key problem

I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an invalid product key message
during installation.

I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the product key from the label
on PC that I was re-installing.

He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is why I borrowed someone elses
CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery partition.

Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.

Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone elses PC)? If, for instance,
I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a non-DELL PC?

You need to use an install disk from the same PC manufacturer. For
example, you can't use a Dell cd on a Lenovo or on an HP machine.

John

Jon wrote:
> I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an invalid product key message
> during installation.
>
> I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the product key from the label
> on PC that I was re-installing.
>
> He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is why I borrowed someone elses
> CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery partition.
>
> Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>
> Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone elses PC)? If, for instance,
> I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a non-DELL PC?
>
>

Thanks for your reply John. It's a cheap and probably not very well-known brand called "medion", so
I'm unlikely to find a disk. What are my options?

Jon

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message news:ehP2mSMlIHA.5080@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
You need to use an install disk from the same PC manufacturer. For
example, you can't use a Dell cd on a Lenovo or on an HP machine.

John

Jon wrote:
> I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an invalid product key message
> during installation.
>
> I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the product key from the
> label
> on PC that I was re-installing.
>
> He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is why I borrowed someone
> elses
> CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery partition.
>
> Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>
> Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone elses PC)? If, for
> instance,
> I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a non-DELL PC?
>
>

You can try a "generic" OEM cd if you can borrow one. Many of the
smaller system builders use these OEM disks instead of making their own
branded versions. These OEM disks can be bought almost anywhere and
many people who build their own computers use them instead of the full
retail versions, maybe this disk will work with your license/Product ID
number but I can't say for sure, you will have to try it and see.

Otherwise you will have to buy a new cd and license, to keep costs lower
you can buy an OEM cd or if you have an older "real" Windows cd (Windows
98/ME/NT/2000) that you can use as proof of ownership you can buy the
less expensive upgrade cd. When you do the install with the upgrade cd
you will be asked to insert the older Windows cd to verify that you have
or own a previous qualifying version.

John

Jon wrote:

> Thanks for your reply John. It's a cheap and probably not very well-known brand called "medion", so
> I'm unlikely to find a disk. What are my options?
>
> Jon
>
> "John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message news:ehP2mSMlIHA.5080@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> You need to use an install disk from the same PC manufacturer. For
> example, you can't use a Dell cd on a Lenovo or on an HP machine.
>
> John
>
> Jon wrote:
>
>>I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an invalid product key message
>>during installation.
>>
>>I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the product key from the
>>label
>>on PC that I was re-installing.
>>
>>He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is why I borrowed someone
>>elses
>>CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery partition.
>>
>>Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>>
>>Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone elses PC)? If, for
>>instance,
>>I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a non-DELL PC?
>>
>>
>
>
>

Those smaller companies use a generic OEM CD so as long as it is a Microsoft
CD and not a branded one you should be OK.

One thing you need to watch out for is that you have the correct OEM CD
version to go with that key. Right now if someone gives you a CD that has
SP2c included your key will most likely not work. Original OEM, Sp1 and
SP1a keys will all work with the same media, SP2 will only work with SP2
media, and SP2c will only work with SP2c keys.

Now the question is how the heck do you know if your keycode on the bottom
of that laptop is SP1, 1a, 2 or 2c. Well, its not 2c because that just came
out a month or two ago. If it is rectangular, shiny, and has a blue border
with white center and the holograms say "Microsoft GENUINE" at an angle
it is most likely SP1 or 1a. If it is an odd bubble shape that is blue,
yellow and green and the keycode is on the bottom and the bar codes are on
the left and right then you have SP2.

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
news:u27z5jNlIHA.5812@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> You can try a "generic" OEM cd if you can borrow one. Many of the smaller
> system builders use these OEM disks instead of making their own branded
> versions. These OEM disks can be bought almost anywhere and many people
> who build their own computers use them instead of the full retail
> versions, maybe this disk will work with your license/Product ID number
> but I can't say for sure, you will have to try it and see.
>
> Otherwise you will have to buy a new cd and license, to keep costs lower
> you can buy an OEM cd or if you have an older "real" Windows cd (Windows
> 98/ME/NT/2000) that you can use as proof of ownership you can buy the less
> expensive upgrade cd. When you do the install with the upgrade cd you
> will be asked to insert the older Windows cd to verify that you have or
> own a previous qualifying version.
>
> John
>
> Jon wrote:
>
>> Thanks for your reply John. It's a cheap and probably not very well-known
>> brand called "medion", so I'm unlikely to find a disk. What are my
>> options?
>>
>> Jon
>>
>> "John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
>> news:ehP2mSMlIHA.5080@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> You need to use an install disk from the same PC manufacturer. For
>> example, you can't use a Dell cd on a Lenovo or on an HP machine.
>>
>> John
>>
>> Jon wrote:
>>
>>>I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an
>>>invalid product key message
>>>during installation.
>>>
>>>I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the
>>>product key from the label
>>>on PC that I was re-installing.
>>>
>>>He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is
>>>why I borrowed someone elses
>>>CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery
>>>partition.
>>>
>>>Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>>>
>>>Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone
>>>elses PC)? If, for instance,
>>>I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a
>>>non-DELL PC?
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>

OK, thanks Jordan and John John - that's very helpful.

Jon

"Jordan" <none@here.com> wrote in message news:OQvtPTOlIHA.1164@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
Those smaller companies use a generic OEM CD so as long as it is a Microsoft
CD and not a branded one you should be OK.

One thing you need to watch out for is that you have the correct OEM CD
version to go with that key. Right now if someone gives you a CD that has
SP2c included your key will most likely not work. Original OEM, Sp1 and
SP1a keys will all work with the same media, SP2 will only work with SP2
media, and SP2c will only work with SP2c keys.

Now the question is how the heck do you know if your keycode on the bottom
of that laptop is SP1, 1a, 2 or 2c. Well, its not 2c because that just came
out a month or two ago. If it is rectangular, shiny, and has a blue border
with white center and the holograms say "Microsoft GENUINE" at an angle
it is most likely SP1 or 1a. If it is an odd bubble shape that is blue,
yellow and green and the keycode is on the bottom and the bar codes are on
the left and right then you have SP2.

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
news:u27z5jNlIHA.5812@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> You can try a "generic" OEM cd if you can borrow one. Many of the smaller
> system builders use these OEM disks instead of making their own branded
> versions. These OEM disks can be bought almost anywhere and many people
> who build their own computers use them instead of the full retail
> versions, maybe this disk will work with your license/Product ID number
> but I can't say for sure, you will have to try it and see.
>
> Otherwise you will have to buy a new cd and license, to keep costs lower
> you can buy an OEM cd or if you have an older "real" Windows cd (Windows
> 98/ME/NT/2000) that you can use as proof of ownership you can buy the less
> expensive upgrade cd. When you do the install with the upgrade cd you
> will be asked to insert the older Windows cd to verify that you have or
> own a previous qualifying version.
>
> John
>
> Jon wrote:
>
>> Thanks for your reply John. It's a cheap and probably not very well-known
>> brand called "medion", so I'm unlikely to find a disk. What are my
>> options?
>>
>> Jon
>>
>> "John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
>> news:ehP2mSMlIHA.5080@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> You need to use an install disk from the same PC manufacturer. For
>> example, you can't use a Dell cd on a Lenovo or on an HP machine.
>>
>> John
>>
>> Jon wrote:
>>
>>>I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an
>>>invalid product key message
>>>during installation.
>>>
>>>I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the
>>>product key from the label
>>>on PC that I was re-installing.
>>>
>>>He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is
>>>why I borrowed someone elses
>>>CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery
>>>partition.
>>>
>>>Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>>>
>>>Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone
>>>elses PC)? If, for instance,
>>>I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a
>>>non-DELL PC?
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>

You're welcome, good luck.

John

Jon wrote:

> OK, thanks Jordan and John John - that's very helpful.
>
> Jon
>
> "Jordan" <none@here.com> wrote in message news:OQvtPTOlIHA.1164@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Those smaller companies use a generic OEM CD so as long as it is a Microsoft
> CD and not a branded one you should be OK.
>
> One thing you need to watch out for is that you have the correct OEM CD
> version to go with that key. Right now if someone gives you a CD that has
> SP2c included your key will most likely not work. Original OEM, Sp1 and
> SP1a keys will all work with the same media, SP2 will only work with SP2
> media, and SP2c will only work with SP2c keys.
>
> Now the question is how the heck do you know if your keycode on the bottom
> of that laptop is SP1, 1a, 2 or 2c. Well, its not 2c because that just came
> out a month or two ago. If it is rectangular, shiny, and has a blue border
> with white center and the holograms say "Microsoft GENUINE" at an angle
> it is most likely SP1 or 1a. If it is an odd bubble shape that is blue,
> yellow and green and the keycode is on the bottom and the bar codes are on
> the left and right then you have SP2.
>
> "John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
> news:u27z5jNlIHA.5812@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>
>>You can try a "generic" OEM cd if you can borrow one. Many of the smaller
>>system builders use these OEM disks instead of making their own branded
>>versions. These OEM disks can be bought almost anywhere and many people
>>who build their own computers use them instead of the full retail
>>versions, maybe this disk will work with your license/Product ID number
>>but I can't say for sure, you will have to try it and see.
>>
>>Otherwise you will have to buy a new cd and license, to keep costs lower
>>you can buy an OEM cd or if you have an older "real" Windows cd (Windows
>>98/ME/NT/2000) that you can use as proof of ownership you can buy the less
>>expensive upgrade cd. When you do the install with the upgrade cd you
>>will be asked to insert the older Windows cd to verify that you have or
>>own a previous qualifying version.
>>
>>John
>>
>>Jon wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Thanks for your reply John. It's a cheap and probably not very well-known
>>>brand called "medion", so I'm unlikely to find a disk. What are my
>>>options?
>>>
>>>Jon
>>>
>>>"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
>>>news:ehP2mSMlIHA.5080@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>>You need to use an install disk from the same PC manufacturer. For
>>>example, you can't use a Dell cd on a Lenovo or on an HP machine.
>>>
>>>John
>>>
>>>Jon wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an
>>>>invalid product key message
>>>>during installation.
>>>>
>>>>I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the
>>>>product key from the label
>>>>on PC that I was re-installing.
>>>>
>>>>He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is
>>>>why I borrowed someone elses
>>>>CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery
>>>>partition.
>>>>
>>>>Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>>>>
>>>>Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone
>>>>elses PC)? If, for instance,
>>>>I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a
>>>>non-DELL PC?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
>

On Apr 2, 7:06*am, "Jon" <.> wrote:
> I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an invalid product key message
> during installation.
>
> I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the product key from the label
> on PC that I was re-installing.
>
> He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is why I borrowed someone elses
> CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery partition.
>
> Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>
> Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone elses PC)? If, for instance,
> I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a non-DELL PC?

There are three levels of XP keys: OEM, Retail and Volume Licence.
Depending on the version of the XP install cd, you need to use the
same "leveL of CD to correctly install.

Hi,

That seems to contradict what the others have said. They are saying that if it's a big manufacturer
(Dell, Compaq, etc) I have to use one of their branded disks. If it's a small manufacturer, I can
use a Microsoft OEM disk. Also, they are saying that the disk must have the same service pack as
that for the product key.

Jon

"smlunatick" <yveslec@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:f4cc428c-74ab-4cf3-8a0a-9878f49d1a7a@m73g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
On Apr 2, 7:06 am, "Jon" <.> wrote:
> I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an invalid product key message
> during installation.
>
> I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in the product key from the
> label
> on PC that I was re-installing.
>
> He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is why I borrowed someone
> elses
> CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery partition.
>
> Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>
> Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone elses PC)? If, for
> instance,
> I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a non-DELL PC?

There are three levels of XP keys: OEM, Retail and Volume Licence.
Depending on the version of the XP install cd, you need to use the
same "leveL of CD to correctly install.

On Apr 4, 6:27*am, "Jon" <.> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> That seems to contradict what the others have said. They are saying that if it's a big manufacturer
> (Dell, Compaq, etc) I have to use one of their branded disks. If it's a small manufacturer, I can
> use a Microsoft OEM disk. Also, they are saying that the disk must have the same service pack as
> that for the product key.
>
> Jon
>
> "smlunatick" <yves...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:f4cc428c-74ab-4cf3-8a0a-9878f49d1a7a@m73g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> On Apr 2, 7:06 am, "Jon" <.> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > I tried to re-install XP Home on someone's PC, but it came up with an invalid product key message
> > during installation.
>
> > I used a XP Home Retail CD (borrowed from someone else) and typed in theproduct key from the
> > label
> > on PC that I was re-installing.
>
> > He has XP Home OEM but wasn't supplied with an XP Home OEM CD, which is why I borrowed someone
> > elses
> > CD. I would like to do a clean install, rather than using a recovery partition.
>
> > Presumably, the OEM product key was not compatible with the Retail disk.
>
> > Can I use any XP Home OEM disk to re-install (eg supplied with someone elses PC)? If, for
> > instance,
> > I borrow one from someone with a DELL PC, will this still work on a non-DELL PC?
>
> There are three levels of XP keys: OEM, Retail and Volume Licence.
> Depending on the version of the XP install cd, you need to use the
> same "leveL of CD to correctly install.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Large manufacturers have specialized branded versions that may "by-
pass" the product activation. However, these versions tend to be
recovery CDs / partitions. I know for a fact that I was able to
install a generic XP Pro OEM CD with an IBM branded key (my office
laptop.)