PCTech Forums

Right well, windows has gone to pot, I need to reinstall but I only have one of these Reload CDs which won't work as I have updated the BIOS. Is there any way of reinstalling windows or making it 'as new'. I have another windows CD but this is registered with another computer, can i use this?

Thanks for your help

Tim

Windows relies on the CD Key not the CD. So if you use the other CD with the CD Key that matches the PC you are reinstalling windows on you should be fine.

So do i use the key on the original PC or the one on my laptop

the other windows cd what u have use that and the cd key did u read pc guys post

Hey mate, theres no need to take the mick, just clarifying- I don't want to get this stuff wrong.

ok sorry didnt mean to take the mick/affend you ididnt mean it in that way i didnt want you to take it that way lol just thought that pc guy made it easy sorry

Fair enough, I know its hard to convey how things are said when your not actually talking, only writing.

I will try to clear things up.

Take the CD Key that belongs to the computer you wish to reinstall Windows on and use the new CD you just got. The only way this won't work is if one is XP Home and the other is XP Pro. But I have a feeling both are just XP Home.

Hopefully I have said this in a way you understand. If not let me know.

And pay no mind to peahead. He is lovable.

Thats fine, you guessed correctly both version are XP home. Thats my project for tomorrow then, thanks a lot for your help guys.

Tim

There could be an issue here,

If the computer you are reinstalling to is like a Dell and has what is called and OEM license.--(You don't get the XP cd just a reinstall image and product key), it might fail.

If its been over 90 days since you installed XP on the other machine, you should be able to reactivate the same key on the new machine.

You could try reflashing the bios back to what it was, or the best bet, call the company that made it to see if they have a work around.

Can I use the imge in anyway?

You might try to reflash the bios back to what it was and see if it will take the image.

There are several ways an OEM can have his copy of XP interact with the user. I was reading that some of the Dells are syspreped and do not need to phone home to be activated. They use the motherboards bios code to authnicate that the OS belongs on that system.

From what I read, only the phone home option was bypassed using this method. If it failed the check, you had to phone in to activate.

From what you are saying, it refuses to load. If the hardware layer has changed significantly, the image could also fail to run. These cloned images that the manufacturer uses are built to be installed on idenitical computers.

You really need to talk to the manufacturer to see if there is a work around, I'm sure there is.