XP Installation Question . . .

[Zcript3r]

I have a client's laptop with Windows XP installed on it. However, I don't have the license and installation media, and neither does he. The whole thing needs to be re-installed.

Is there some way to get around this possibly using the license, (which is his legal license) that is already on the computer, in conjunction with an XP CD I already have?

Or is this a case where he will need to purchase a new copy of XP?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Zcript3r]

Check that . . .

The XP Pro License Key is on the laptop.

 

[bcastner]

It will not work the way you have outlined. The best thing to do is to call the notebook manufacturer tech support, explain the issue, and beg/buy whatever they can give you to help. It is not unusual for them to insist that the only option available is a Restore CD that brings the notebook back to its settings as originally purchased.

Find your setupp.ini file in the i386 directory on your Windows XP CD. Open it up, it'll look something like this:

ExtraData=707A667567736F696F697911AE7E05
Pid=55034000

The Pid value is what we're in this for. What's there now looks like a standard default, but that is no good. There are special numbers that determine if it's a retail, OEM, or volume license edition. First, we must break down that number into two parts. The first five digits determines how the CD will behave, i.e. is it a retail CD that lets you clean install or upgrade, or an OEM CD that only lets you perform a clean install? The last three digits determine what CD key it will accept.

So even if you could take the key found on the notebook certificate of authenticity label, you will not be able to use it with a retail or other XP CD.

I do not doubt the issue can be worked around, but it is a violation of your EULA.