PC Pals Forum

Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: Simon on December 27, 2009, 13:47

Title: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Simon on December 27, 2009, 13:47

A friend has asked me to reinstall Windows XP onto his machine.  He only has an SP1 CD, but I have an SP3 CD.  To save downloading tons of Windows Updates, can I use my SP3 CD with his SP1 licence (product key)?

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Sandra on December 27, 2009, 14:06

I may have misread what you intend Simon, but if you mean can I install using the XP inc SP1 then use SP3 on a CD instead of downloading it then yes you can.
If however you mean to install XP inc SP3 using a licence from XP inc SP1 then I am unsure but think it would probably be OK as long as it was the same version, ie Home or Pro.

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Simon on December 27, 2009, 14:18

It was the second one, San.  His licence is from an XP SP1 Home Edition CD.  I want to reinstall Windows, using that original 'SP1' licence, but with my XP SP3 Home Edition CD, to save downloading all the updates again.

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: sam on December 27, 2009, 18:32

I think you should be able to install his XP1 and then whack your CD in and get all the updates... well that would make sense to me but if it makes sense to microshaft is a different matter entirely.

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Simon on December 28, 2009, 00:57

 ;D

I made a mistake, and my Windows disc is actually SP2, not SP3, so he would still need to download SP3 anyway.  Looks like this is what's going to happen.  I'm due to collect the machine tomorrow.

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Sandra on December 28, 2009, 01:32

I that case you may as well install from his CD and make a CD from a download of SP3 so that you have it for future use  :)

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Simon on December 28, 2009, 01:43

 :blush:  :dunno:

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: davy51 on December 28, 2009, 03:08

Im not positive but his sp1 product code is just that for sp1

SP3 would have a completely different code or it does on XP Pro

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Simon on December 28, 2009, 13:53

I'll soon find out, Dave.  :)

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Glenn on December 28, 2009, 14:03

If they are from different OEM's, then the key may not work.

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Simon on December 28, 2009, 14:08

Hi Glenn!  :welcome:  Nice to see you here.  :)

I do have an SP1 CD too, somewhere, so all will not be lost if the key won't work.

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Glenn on December 28, 2009, 14:17

Thanks, I had forgotten I had an account, until Martin asked me about his power problem.

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Simon on December 28, 2009, 14:25

Yes, Martin has registered and posted.  We're just waiting for Sandra to rise from the crypt.   ;D

Title: Re: Windows CDs / Licencing
Post by: Clive on December 28, 2009, 14:57

 :)x