I found a computer by the dumpster, it has XP Home installed on it. I want to reinstall the OS, but all I have for Windows install CDs is my XP Media Center Edition disc that came with my other computer. The XP Home product key is still on the PC, can I use that XP Home key with the XP MCE media to install XP Home?
>
> I found a computer by the dumpster, it has XP Home installed on it. I
> want to reinstall the OS, but all I have for Windows install CDs is my
> XP Media Center Edition disc that came with my other computer. The XP
> Home product key is still on the PC, can I use that XP Home key with the
> XP MCE media to install XP Home?
No, sorry but that won't work. You need the correct install CD for the "new"
computer. I take it that you mean the COA sticker is still on the machine so
you would need a generic or branded OEM version of XP Home. If you can't
borrow one from a friend, consider putting a free Linux distro on that box
instead.
On Aug 1, 11:42*pm, Gorby <Gorby.3wa...@no.email.invalid> wrote:
> I found a computer by the dumpster, it has XP Home installed on it. I
> want to reinstall the OS, but all I have for Windows install CDs is my
> XP Media Center Edition disc that came with my other computer. The XP
> Home product key is still on the PC, can I use that XP Home key with the
> XP MCE media to install XP Home?
>
> -Gorby
No. You need a Home CD that is just like the one used in the computer,
be it OEM or Retail.
On Sat, 1 Aug 2009 16:42:58 -0500, Gorby
<Gorby.3waajq@no.email.invalid> wrote:
>
> I found a computer by the dumpster, it has XP Home installed on it. I
> want to reinstall the OS, but all I have for Windows install CDs is my
> XP Media Center Edition disc that came with my other computer. The XP
> Home product key is still on the PC, can I use that XP Home key with the
> XP MCE media to install XP Home?
Two points:
1. No, you can't use your CD with that key. They have to match with
respect to Professional vs. Home or MCE, Retail vs. OEM, and Full vs.
Upgrade.
2. If the computer was found at a dumpster, it's highly likely that
there is something seriously wrong with it, and you can't simply
install Windows on it, even if you had the right CD. If you take it
apart, you may be lucky enough to find that some of its components
still work and can be saved as spares.
--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Gorby wrote:
> I found a computer by the dumpster, it has XP Home installed on it. I
> want to reinstall the OS, but all I have for Windows install CDs is my
> XP Media Center Edition disc that came with my other computer. The XP
> Home product key is still on the PC, can I use that XP Home key with the
> XP MCE media to install XP Home?
>
> -Gorby
>
>
Use XP Home key with XP MCE install CD? 
Linear Mode
