[odnasty]

i am wondering...i am going to reformat my compaq PC...now that compaq PC has its own XP home serial number...but what i am wondering is can i use my windows XP home CD that i bought seperate for a different computer... and still use the serial that came with the compaq??? i would appreciate the answer...thanks

[Matt]

Originally posted by odnasty
i am wondering...i am going to reformat my compaq PC...now that compaq PC has its own XP home serial number...but what i am wondering is can i use my windows XP home CD that i bought seperate for a different computer... and still use the serial that came with the compaq??? i would appreciate the answer...thanks

Hi,

You must be careful here. First, the serial number you were provided might not work with a separate CD. I have no idea quite truthfully. Also, was the other CD you have a restore CD or an actual full verion of WindowsXP? Chances are, unless you purchased it separately, it is a restore CD. A restore CD for one computer most likely will not work for another. Microsoft, especially with its XP line, has become VERY strict about the use of serial numbers. Back when they didn't check via the web, this wouldn't have been an issue, but now that they check your computer on a regular basis, it's more of an issue.

Sorry I wasn't about to provide more factual information, but I noticed this post had gone unanswered and thought I would share what little knowledge I had on the topic.

Best of luck, and please come back to the forums and let us know if it does or doesnt work, as it might be helpful for future members

[AMJones]

Matt's right.

In my experience, most of the oem XP installation CDs are linked to a specific computer ...

Chances are that you'd be able to use the CD-Key on a different computer -- but you wouldn't be able to "activate" the installation w/ Microsoft, which pretty means it would be useless.

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