Re: [OT] A Warning to WinXP Users Who Re-install a Lot.

What about using an OEM key to install a retail copy? I need to reinstall
Win XP on my computer. But the OEM install media is ancient -- pre-SP1. I've
got a brand-new retail CD with SP2 here; can I use that CD with my OEM
serial number to reinstall?

THanks!


"Brian Wescombe" <brian.wescombeSODOFF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:WBGhg.15203$x53.8273@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"1 of 1" <the.cube@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4483a399$0$16922$afc38c87@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have a legal version of WinXP which until a few months ago I had fun
installing/playing with new soft/hardware that seriously compromised WinXP
& I had to re-install.
I've since found out that I can't re-install as often as I want. I don't
know how many re-installs I did but I now have to ring the MS Help desk
every time I want to re-install.
You do not have standard rights for the installation of (some) Microsoft
software.

Retail licences can be re-installed as many times as you want, as long as
it's only on one PC at a time. Activation will succeed if it's been more
than 120 days since last activation.
Did you re-install by formatting the HDD? Every time that's done, the
volume serial number changes - activation server will pick that up
eventually.




.

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