XP Pro version and install question

[Texashorsepower]

Hi folks,
I happend uppon your forum and signed up with hopes of a little help. I replaced my girlfriend's Gateway laptop hard drive because the original totally died. It has a XP Pro key sticker on the back but she doesn't have any O/S disk.

My questions are
1. The COA sticker reads Windows XP Professional 1-2CPU Does the 1-2CPU stand for anything special such as SP1 or SP2 build or is there such a thing as Gateway specific version of XP Pro?

2. I do have an XP Pro O/S disk for my desktop but it's the basic no service pack version I believe. Could I use that disk to put an O/S on her computer and then just use her laptop's Key Code from the sticker to activate and get all the up to date stuff again from Windows Update?

I'm sorry if these come off as very basic stupid questions to those of you that have worlds of knowlage more than myself, but I just don't have the experience or resources near me for any help of this sort.

I truely appreciate any help you could give me!! =-))

 

[ASG0856]

Q1 No it doesn't, and I wouldn't think so

Q2 Depends on whether your XP disk is an OEM or a Recovery Disk.
If the former, then yes you could load it onto your girlfriends laptop. However, you could NOT use the Laptops Key Code. You would have to use the one from the CD. Of course, you would then be runnig into license problems when you tried to activate as it would technically be a pirated copy.

If the latter, then it probabley wouldn't work as the OS is keyed to the Desktop build

If your girlfriend had the laptop from new, and it didn't come with a recovery CD, then the OS may be stored on a second partition (a recovery partition) on the old harddrive.

 

[stduc]

I think the 1-2CPU refers to the fact it can handle up to 2 CPU's. I'm not sure though.

I imagine that the original hard drive has an image of an XP CD on it. Probably in a hidden partition. The owners manual probably has instructions on how to perform a factory reset. But as the disk is dead that's not a lot of use to you.

In your shoes I think I would contact Gateway and see what they say. They may offer to sell you a copy of XP Pro fairly cheaply seeing as you have already bought it.

While waiting for Gateway, or if their response is unfavourable, I see no harm in trying your disk. At the very least you will discover if the laptop is working OK. Assuming it is XP Pro with no service packs though I would recommend you install it offline (unconnected to the internet) and install a good antivirus package and third party firewall before connecting to the internet to perform updates. You could grab a copy of SP2 using another PC and put that on a CD to do that update offline as well.

If the key on the back of the laptop works - all well and good. Somehow I don't think it will though as almost certainly it is an OEM key. But I would say its worth a try.

I have been known to be wrong.
The best way to thank someone who helps you is give them a star.

 

[gpalmer711]

studc is correct that the 1-2CPU means that the licence is for up to 2 processors in the machine.

Manufacturers can create custom install cd's for windows and often do, this way they can include all the drivers for the machine and any additional software that they wish to have installed.

That being said the CD Key that is on the sticker would work with any OEM CD for windows XP.

Assuming that the CD that you have for your machine is an OEM Windows XP Pro CD then yes you can use the CD key on the laptop to install it on the laptop. The only time you would run into licencing issues is if you tried to install using that code on another machine. OEM installs are tied to the hardware.

If your CD does not work then Gateway may be able to provide you with replacement CD(s) but you may find that it is cheaper to simply purchase another OEM copy of XP home with a new COA.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[Texashorsepower]

It kills me that there might be a hidden partition with the right info on it but the drive is flat out dead... It started clicking and rattling a little at first then progressivly worse over about a month. At least I had mind enough to copy off all the data she said was improtant to her before it finaly quit all together. I just wish I had known about that hidden partition so I could have grabbed that info too.

Ya I got ahold of gateway and they said they'd be happy to sell me a copy for $140! Like you guys said, i'd be just as well off to go buy a version in the store on sale or something like that if trying my XP Pro CD doesn't work.

I am a little confused at the moment though - ASG0856 had said her key code wouldn't work with an OEM CD but gpalmer711 said as long as it's an OEM CD the install will be fine and I assume I just use her key code as usual.

Also, how would I save or get a copy of SP2 to load offline? Is there a particular file I should find on my SP2 updated desktop, save it and then install it somewhere on her laptop once I get the O/S installed?

Thanks a bunch guys your quick help is really taking the stress out of this issue!

 

[stduc]

Re using an OEM CD - it should work - anyway 2 chances & what have you to lose by trying? So I would give it a go. If it fails to activate I would call microsoft and see what they say.

Typical of an OEM - $140 for something you had - but lost grrrrr.

Re SP2 - try this link

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

I have been known to be wrong.
The best way to thank someone who helps you is give them a star.

 

[gpalmer711]

There are a lot of assumptions when we answer posts here. So assuming that the COA that is stuck to the laptop is a install key for an OEM Windows XP Pro install then it will work with any OEM cd. There may be problems using the key on another machine as the key may be tied to the bios of the machine. In which case you may still even be able to install after a call to microsoft.

As for SP2 visit

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

and download the file.

You can then use this file on the laptop to update the machine to SP2. If you can install SP2 before any other software.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[stduc]

Further to gpalmer711

With the PC NOT connected to the net. Install XP - if that works install SP2 that you hav burnt to a CD. If that works - install antivirus at least and then connect to the net & get further updates.

You may have to connect to the net earlier if it demands you activate it however.

I have been known to be wrong.
The best way to thank someone who helps you is give them a star.

 

[gpalmer711]

Yeah i'm with studc do not connect to the internet before installing SP2. If you do need to activate before it will allow you to log in then I would recommend the Telephone Activation option. This for many countries will give you a toll free number.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk