Any issues with using my XP CD and a friends code?

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WSGrundy
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Post by WSGrundy »

Long story short I can't get a friends PC to boot up. It brings up the screen with the safe mode options and no matter what I choose it starts to load and then reboots back to that screen.

I was going to boot to the CD and reinstall their windows but as with most people who have PC they have no clue about it and swear that they never had a windows XP CD. Which is a crock of shit because they have the Windows sticker on their tower that comes with the CD.

My next plan is to use my XP CD and their XP code. Any reasons why I shouldn't do this? Will this cause any conflicts for me? Is each XP CD the same and the only difference is the code or will only certain codes match up with certain discs?

Also any other ideas on how to get it to boot up are welcome too.
Leisher
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Post by Leisher »

You can buy a PC and not get the XP CD. I believe that's standard for PCs with an OEM version of XP (or whatever OS). Instead, they usually get a recovery CD that will restore the PC back to where it was when shipped or can order that CD online.

If you use their code with your CD, MS can't trace it back to you if that's what you're worried about. All the CDs are the same and if you have a valid code, it'll work.

However, if the code on the case is for an OEM version, then it may not work with your CD. In that case, you probably will need to contact the PC manufacturer and they'll either give you a key to use or the recovery CD (or a download that covers that CD).

If there was nothing worth saving on the hard drive, don't bother trying to boot up. A clean install will help performance.

Are you sure it's not a hard drive issue?
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GORDON
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Post by GORDON »

Could be more than one thing, as it was described.
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WSGrundy
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Post by WSGrundy »

Not sure what the issue is. They had a ton of spyware and a couple viruses and I booted up in safe mode and started with ad aware. It cleaned out about 75 problems but a few couldn't be removed until after a reboot and I never got through a reboot after that.

I was mainly concerned that if I used my CD and there code that MS still might give me some shit if I try to get security updates if they had updated first. Something like this PC has already been updated and then I am without the update.

I believe their PC is a compaq from best buy so I will check out the compaq website.
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Cakedaddy
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Post by Cakedaddy »

Using your CD with their code will cause no issues for you on your PC. Just make sure you use their code and not yours.
WSGrundy
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Post by WSGrundy »

If I run the windows install again will they loose files? I tried to just do a repair but it asks for the administrators password and no one knows it.
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Post by TheCatt »

If you don't format, you shouldn't lose files.
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WSGrundy
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Post by WSGrundy »

And there is no option to format when installing Windows correct?

As long as I don't type C:\format c: \s or whatever that command is I shouldn't lose their files.
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Post by GORDON »

Well, sometimes during win setup it'll ask you if you want to reformat with data loss, but you shouldn't be able to miss that question as long as you pay attention.
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TPRJones
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Post by TPRJones »

IIRC if you answer yes it has a follow-up screen to verify, too. As long as you pay attention you can't do it on accident.
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WSGrundy
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Post by WSGrundy »

Cool.
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Post by Paul »

I install XP with Dell's OEM XP software all the time, on Gateways, Compaqs, HP's, etc. It just hast to be the same version of XP (Pro, Home, or Media). The service packs don't even matter.
Most companies don't give XP CD's anymore. Dell requires that you ask for one. So when your hard drive crashes you're out of luck. I didn't get one for my work PC (XP Media Center) so I cloned it to an old 20 gig drive. If this one dies I'll run the 20 gig until I get a replacement, then clone it to the new one.

If it won't register XP after the installation it will give you a phone number to call. Tell them your hard drive crashed or you reformatted or whatever. They'll ask for a number, and confirm that this copy of XP is installed on only one machine. Then they'll give you an alternate code that will work.

Microsoft is really good about giving out that code. Unlike most tech support the process is far from painful. (When the automated system asks for the code, use the buttons on the phone because giving them vocally takes forever)




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Post by Paul »

Oh yeah...

The first thing I'd do is boot to the XP CD, choose "R", and at the command prompt put in the following: chkdsk /r
Hopefully it'll find some scrambled stuff and fix it, thereby solving the problem.
WSGrundy
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Post by WSGrundy »

It didn't work and told me I had to call MS.

But I did the install before I saw your post. The sticker on the side of their PC with the number says Windows XP Home Edition and that is also what my CD is but reading your post I think I remeber seeing it boot up as Windows Professional. Also when I checked out the Compaq website for their PC which is a Persario 6430nx the recovery CD is XP Home.

So maybe I am just imagining that I saw the Pro part.

They bought a PC that came with windows XP so I should be able to just call MS and get a working code since mine won't or should I just go ahead and get the recovery CD for $15 from the Compaq Website?

Or will using a recovery CD from Compag with my windows CD install cause any issues. Does it need to be a certain version to recover or will it just do a new install?

I just wish people could keep their fucking CD that come with their PC!




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Leisher
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Post by Leisher »

The recovery CD shouldn't need a code at all.
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Post by Cakedaddy »

I believe the recovery CD WILL need a code. . . it will be a generic copy of windows, but then, it will also install all the happy compaq crap that you get with their new PCs. So when windows runs for the first time, it will ask all kinds of questions, the code being one of them. I could be wrong though. Only recovered one PC with one before, and it was too long ago to remember.

And what didn't work? The install didn't work? When it asked for the code, the one you gave it didn't work?
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Post by Leisher »

I believe the recovery CD WILL need a code. . . it will be a generic copy of windows, but then, it will also install all the happy compaq crap that you get with their new PCs. So when windows runs for the first time, it will ask all kinds of questions, the code being one of them. I could be wrong though. Only recovered one PC with one before, and it was too long ago to remember.


I know I've seen recovery disks that didn't need a code and seperate partition recovery options that worked the same. Of course, I've also seen systems come with a regular Windows CD or nothing at all.

Basically, you need to get the recovery CD. If it doesn't have a code, try the one on the case. If that doesn't work, call the manufacturer and see if they'll get you the code you need. If that doesn't work, it's time to call Microsoft. They should be able to get you a key based on the one on the case.
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
WSGrundy
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Post by WSGrundy »

And what didn't work? The install didn't work? When it asked for the code, the one you gave it didn't work?


The code didn't work.

I will just order the recovery CD for them, it is only $15 bucks. I just wasn't sure if since I had used my version of windows to install they the recovery CD would see that and things wouldn't match up. Like it is going to look for stuff put in by Compaq or something like that.
Leisher
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Post by Leisher »

The code didn't work.


The code on the side of the case? You know, the more I think about that, the more I think it won't work with your CD because that code is for the OEM version.

Before you order from Compaq, I'd call first and see if they can give you a proper key. They'll probably send you to Microsoft though.

I'm about 99% sure that I've called Microsoft before to get a key from them for a similar situation.

JUST MAKE SURE THE PERSON WAS USING A LEGAL COPY BEFORE CALLING ANYONE!!!
"Happy slaves are the worst enemies of freedom." - Marie Von Ebner
"It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies..." - Orwell
Paul
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Post by Paul »

Most OEM copies of XP do not require a registration number. Yes, there's one on the machine, but no, you don't ever have to put it in.

If you pay the $15 for the Compaq software it'll install all the drivers and such, making it a bit simpler. Plus it removes the headache should you have to reformat again.
Chances are you'll never use the numbers from the certificate of authenticity. The Compaq restoration CD will only work on your model of computer, and they all have legal licenses for XP, so they don't bother asking.

If it were me I'd install from a similar copy of XP and call the number. Then go through that 5 minutes of hassle. It's just as much trouble as ordering the CD, and it's free.
Of course, if you can't find the same copy (home or pro) of XP that's not an option anyway.
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