Changing product key

shayser

I'm replacing a hdd in a Dell laptop. I'm waiting for a windows/recovery disk from Dell, they posted it yesterday. I'd like to do the job tonight. I've got a disk from a friend who had the same model laptop as myself. Can install this and change the key to my own key when the install is complete?

kippy

I "think" that you can use the product key which is on the label of the laptop so long as the version of XP you are installing is the same version as that which was originally shipped with the laptop (or else the product key wont work)
Not 100% sure on this however,
Kippy

shayser

Cheers. I'm going to try that but thought that a recovery cd might not ask for the key. If it installs straight and doesn't prompt for the key and I can't change it in windows (registry?) then I'll have to do install over again when my own disk comes.

rasper

Doubt very much that it'll ask for the key

ZENER

When you do the Windows Update it will install the WGA checker and may tell you that the version is invalid. Also trying to install IE7 or WMP11 these apps will validate the OS before continuing. Changing the key is easy enough if the key you have matched the version you've installed as mentioned above.

Microsoft are even decent enough to provide step by step instructions here.

ZEN

shayser

Thanks to all. In the end I waited for my own disk to arrive. New HDD + clean install = a new laptop, virtually!

astrofool

You could also use this tool provided by Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx

It'll go between retail and OEM versions without a problem, used it a few times when I didn't have a retail cd to hand but needed to get the system up and running.

Earth Worm Jim

shayser wrote:

Cheers. I'm going to try that but thought that a recovery cd might not ask for the key. If it installs straight and doesn't prompt for the key and I can't change it in windows (registry?) then I'll have to do install over again when my own disk comes.

If you are using the green Dell reinstallation CD from a similar laptop/PC you won't be asked for the key, I have done this 100s of times.

only works on Dell machines!

Kimbot

All Dell machines have the product key installed/programmed into the bios so the image they give you on the cd is the same regardless and will not ask you for a key!!

shayser

jonny24ie wrote:

All Dell machines have the product key installed/programmed into the bios so the image they give you on the cd is the same regardless and will not ask you for a key!!

So, for Windows validation etc, MS checks the bios for verification?

Kimbot

shayser wrote:

So, for Windows validation etc, MS checks the bios for verification?

Yup. When you reinstall the image from the disc you will never be asked for a CD Key!! Built in features etc modified in the image from Dell/Microsoft.