Reload OEM Windows XP

Question

I have a computer that came with Windows XP Home (with the sticker on it that has the product key). I used it for some time with a (legally obtained) copy of Windows. Now I want to reload the original Windows version and product key to give it to a relative. I can't give them my copy of Windows, since it came from my MSDN subscription and is only usable by me for software development/testing. When I load the machine from my Windows disk, it does not accept the product key on the sticker.

"The CD key you entered is not valid"

I did double check my keystrokes and the XP disk I am using had all versions and I did indeed choose the correct one (Home Edition) that matched the product key sticker.

EDIT: It is clear to me from the answers below that I am using a non-OEM disk with an OEM product key. I am the first one to understand Microsoft's need to protect their IP. However, it seems like there might be a way without tracking down and purchasing recovery disks for a five year old machine just to turn around and give the machine away.

Is there a way I can accomplish this?

Answer 1

If this is from a small / local company, the chances are they bought a "off the shelf" OEM product and you can use any other unbranded OEM cd that is the same edition of Windows and the same service pack.

If this is from a big company with their logo on the OEM cd, you will need to use the recovery CD / DVD or method they provide to reinstall your Windows, and typically these are pre activated and do not need a serial key.

extra info--

Typically (and not always) I find that the "consumer" big brands such as Sony, Acer e.t.c. do not provide raw Windows installations and you need to use a recovery cd that is locked for your model, where as if you can obtain a HP or Dell Windows CD, these are usually just standard installs that will work on any machine from that company (maybe requiring a few drivers).

Answer 2

My understanding about Windows XP CD keys is that you can't mix and match retail and OEM keys. You need to use an OEM disc with an OEM key.

Answer 3

MSDN XP CDs cannot be used with OEM CD Keys.

Answer 4

There are several things that will stop the key / disk pair from working.

1) Wrong flavour of disk - IE an OEM key but a retail disk.
2) Wrong flavour of windows. - IE an XP Home key but an XP Pro disk.
3) Wrong Service pack level. - you can't use a key that was supplied with an XP including SP1 disk with an XP including SP2 disk.

Just to make it more awkward, not all OEM disks will recognise the same set of keys. So you may need an OEM disk of the correct version, and correct vintage (right service pack level) and from the correct manufacturer!

I got lucky on a friends PC. Their dad's laptop install disk also accepts their OEM key. (Both are SP1 - shows how old they are!)

Answer 5

If you can get a Windows XP CD with service pack 3, you can skip the product key screen during the setup.

When installing Windows XP with Service Pack 3 integrated setup CD or DVD for retail or OEM channel (clean install from fresh state or upgrade), the installation process will still prompt for a 25-character product key as appeared on the yellow sticker on the back of Windows folder to be entered. However, user can leave the product key field blank, and simply click Next button to skip supplying a product key during installation.

Once the installation is complete, you can enter the correct key to activate Windows.

Answer 6

One thing that I've run into is that the license key on the Dells we get is just a license. It doesn't activate windows at all, at least any of the versions I've tried. However, the Dell Windows install CDs are pre-pidded never prompt for a key. If you can, try to locate the original restore disks. While vendor specific, they are still fairly generic. A restore disc that came from that vendor with a different computer may also work.

Answer 7

Given the circumstances, and assuming you can trust your relative to be discreet, I'd just use one of your MSDN keys to install it. You can always use the machine for development work next time you visit.

Answer 8

You doubled checked the product key, can I suggest that you triple check! I recently searched a bunch of ways around a similar issue, turned out that I had misread an 8 as a B! A bit dim of me, but easily done.

Otherwise (with Vista, maybe with XP), there are legal ways of extending the 30 or 90 day trial period.