XP CD product key

[trulad]

I have two copies of XP, one for each of my machines. I think they got mixed up in their boxes but I'm not sure. If I need to re-install and type in the wrong product key will I need to start over and switch CD's or doesn't the CD contain the product key?
Trudy

[sleepypost]

I dont think it will matter. Just install to the point of the code input. If the code doesn't work then eject the cd and put in the other and try the same code. I've done similar things like when I had to eject to clean the disk...

good luck.

worst case scenario: you have to re-install Windows XP.

[trulad]

Thanks. I have re-installed several times when up-dating,etc. I also just thought(duh) I can run Aida32 and get the key for that machine.
Trudy

[HAL9000]

Unless one CD is OEM and the other retail... it won't matter which code is used with which CD.

[trulad]

Thanks HAL9000:
Both are retail Home Edition Upgrades.
Trudy

[Miz]

Or you can download ViewKeyXP.

However, the number I type in when doing an XP reinstall on all my systems is found by right clicking My Computer>Properties>General tab.

[TEEB]

Funny this subject should come up now. I just did a clean install of XP home and had to call Microsoft.
First you should know that I have 2 copies of win xp home. One is OEM and the other is an Upgrade version. Of course they are in 2 different machines. Both are legal copies.
I lost track of which machine had which copy of XP. So when I did the reinstall last week I just guessed. It would not take the key I used and I had to call microsoft and get the numbers from them. I never thought any more about it until I read this thread.
I just used the ViewKeyXp utility that Miz kindly provided and found that both machines are showing the same product key.

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