xp licence key

[dexter195]

Hi,
my brother is getting a pc from germany but the version of windows he's getting is going to be in german. is it possible to install an english version of xp and use his licence key (i.e. are there internation copy rights in place that will stop this) or can he reinstall his german version but select to use english as his regional language?

Thanks

 

[ncotton]

you dont get language options in Windows Setup (well, not untill Vista is released [in a routabout way]). The regional settings are for time, input strings, enumeration, keyboard layout, punctuation, regional locales, and default dictionaries. However your windows interface will be in German. Assuming your version is the same, so Windows XP Pro(EN) and you are getting a Windows XP Pro(DE) whatever language the version you have the key for, it should work.

Note...I said SHOULD

Hope this Helps.

Neil J Cotton
njc Information Systems
Systems Consultant

 

[dexter195]

cheers for the confirmation neil,

thats what i was thinking but wasnt sure. as for that SHOULD, thats the biggest killer if it doesnt work. thats an extra €80ish

does any1 else know if its possible to use the licence key?

cheers

 

[Kooch]

If your brother is getting Windows XP included with a brand new PC then I'd say you're out of luck. The license keys are generally specialized for whatever company is selling the computers to prevent exactly what you're talking about. That key won't work with an XP CD you've gotten from a store or someone else has gotten with their PC.

Now if he's buying his version in a box from a retailer and you ensure you install the same version but in English I'd agree with Neil and say it should work fine.

 

[ncotton]

Yeah, if it's pre-installed, then it's an OEM version, so will only work with any different language of the same version. There are three main types of licence keys, each will work on any language, as long as it is the same licence key and version.

Retail - Bought in box
OEM - Sold with hardware
VLE - Volume License Edition - bought by companies through and through MSDN.

A "version" includes reference to this. So 1 verion of the OS may have 34 language, but only ever 3 different Licence keys hashes.

Hope this Helps.

Neil J Cotton
njc Information Systems
Systems Consultant

 

[markdmac]

Contact the OEM and see if they can offer a deal on a new OEM install in English.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

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