Windows XP serial numbers

[WonderBob]

I have some original Windows XP disks and some old PC's with the serial number stickies on them, but I dont have a way of matching the stickies to specific disks.

Does anybody know of a easy way to get them matched up?

 

[wizdumb]

maybe get a program like siw, but i don't think the serial num and serial key is linked

 

[LazyLion]

I have some original Windows XP disks and some old PC's with the serial number stickies on them, but I dont have a way of matching the stickies to specific disks.

Does anybody know of a easy way to get them matched up?

Ja, they are not linked... the CD's will all be identical and you can use any CD to install on any computer (as long as the CDs match the version used on that computer - XP Home or XP Pro).

 

[The_Unbeliever]

OEM CD's and OEM keys are linked tho.

So you can't use a non-OEM key with an OEM CD for instance.

 

[WonderBob]

Ja, they are not linked... the CD's will all be identical and you can use any CD to install on any computer (as long as the CDs match the version used on that computer - XP Home or XP Pro).

thought so yeah, but wasn't sure. Thanks.

 

[WonderBob]

OEM CD's and OEM keys are linked tho.

So you can't use a non-OEM key with an OEM CD for instance.

they are all OEM cd's and keys, so that should not be an issue.

 

[Arthur]

KeyFinder

 

[LazyLion]

KeyFinder

Nice program... but I think he said that the serial numbers were all affixed to the PC's ... so he doesn't really need to look them up.

He just wanted to know which were the original CDs were that came with each PC... so we told him it did not matter.

 

[.Froot.]

OEM CD's and OEM keys are linked tho.

So you can't use a non-OEM key with an OEM CD for instance.

I can vouch for that one. A friend borrowed my OEM cd once to reinstall his XP (he was the poor victim of having all his software+game cd's stolen from his car) with his key, still on his pc box. Guess what.... "please insert a valid serial number"....

 

[Threepwood]

I have some original Windows XP disks and some old PC's with the serial number stickies on them, but I dont have a way of matching the stickies to specific disks.

Does anybody know of a easy way to get them matched up?

Just match up one of the disks with one of the keys, and try keep them together after that.

It activates, I know from personal experience, you may have to speak to a consultant.

Legalities I'm not 100%, but according to some people they are fine with that as long as you have the license. Esp. should be fine if you're using the OS on the computer with the sticker (legal wise).

Apparently they don't even really care if you install from pirate disks, as long as you have a genuine license and product key.

 

[Turiko]

Apparently they don't even really care if you install from pirate disks, as long as you have a genuine license and product key.

Yip this is indeed correct.

 

[.Froot.]

As long as you buy M$ products they == happy