***help On Reinstalling Os***

[ricecracker]

okay, I have a HP Pavilion with XP Home pre-isntalled on it when I bought it. If I were to re-install it again, which I'll will plan on doing, do I use the cd key that is on the case? I ordered a OEM XP Home from newegg.com for my new custom computer, and will it work if I put that disc in my HP and put the OEM HP cd key in, will it work?

[govigov]

it should i deally work, no reason, why it should not

[doubledragon5]

Why did you buy a new OEM copy??? your system restore disk has your copy of XP on it already..... And when you get your new copy it will already come with a key to use with it.. Best bet sent it back.. Another question why do you feel you going to need to reinstall the OS anyway... If you not having any problems leave it alone.. Next doing proper housekeeping on the machine like defraging the machine cleaning out cookies and clearing history will prevent slow down and improve performance.. Also cleaning out spyware, and having your system protected with antiviurs, and firewall software will help keep it runing properly as well....

[sdkfz]

rice cracker-

yes- as long as both keys have an "OEM" in the sequence of letters in the same spot - or both do not have "OEM" in their sequence - then the keys will work for the single disk installing on both machines each with the separate key.

The disk does know that it is expecting an OEM sequence- it does not care what the sequence number is as long as it meets certain criteria for an OEM license - vs corporate or retail.

Mind you - using the new PC's OEM copy will mean that there is a chance that you'll need to get some drivers for stuff from HP so I'd make sure you still have access to their site or you pull their drivers ahead of time.

[glc]

I see what you want to do I think - you want to use a new copy of XP to do a clean install on the HP, and still be able to use the new copy for a custom build, right?

Install the new copy on the HP. TRY the HP key, if it accepts it, you are fine. If not, use the key that the new CD came with, do NOT activate it, then use Magical Jellybean to change the key to the HP key. Then activate it.

[ricecracker]

Originally Posted by glc I see what you want to do I think - you want to use a new copy of XP to do a clean install on the HP, and still be able to use the new copy for a custom build, right? Install the new copy on the HP. TRY the HP key, if it accepts it, you are fine. If not, use the key that the new CD came with, do NOT activate it, then use Magical Jellybean to change the key to the HP key. Then activate it.

That is correct.

What is Magical Jellybean?

And doubledragon5, my HP did not come with a restore disk or any OS disc, it was already installed when I bought it. And I'm buying a OEM OS because I will need it for my new computer I'm building.

Thanks for the help guys.

[jayb1234]

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

[glc]

The HP should have a restore partition - Windows can be reinstalled from there, read your documentation. I also believe that you can make your own restore CD's or DVD from it. This is going to be a lot easier than chasing drivers and losing all your preinstalled software.