I need to reinstall Windows XP on my mother's computer. However, she cannot
find her disk. Is it true that I can use my Windows XP disk, and just enter
her code??

Also, what do I do when I try to reinstall windows and I get a message
saying that my product code is invalid? (I ask this because I tried to
reinstall Windows on my computer and got that message. Is that because the
code had already been used on my computer once before?)

Thanks a bunch in advance, everyone.

"jexa89" <jexa89@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FF2AB076-7D9B-4337-81F1-D93467999F88@microsoft.com...
>I need to reinstall Windows XP on my mother's computer. However, she
>cannot
> find her disk. Is it true that I can use my Windows XP disk, and just
> enter
> her code??

It might be true. First, you need to provide more information.

> Also, what do I do when I try to reinstall windows and I get a
> message
> saying that my product code is invalid? (I ask this because I tried
> to
> reinstall Windows on my computer and got that message. Is that
> because the
> code had already been used on my computer once before?)

Again, we need more information.

What is the make and model of your mother's computer? What specific type
of XP Home is she running? Retail? Generic OEM? Branded OEM? Was it an
upgrade from an earlier version of Windows? And finally what kind of
disk do you have? It has to match the license type of your mother's XP.

jexa89 wrote:
> I need to reinstall Windows XP on my mother's computer. However, she cannot
> find her disk. Is it true that I can use my Windows XP disk, and just enter
> her code??
>

Maybe, maybe not. You haven't provided anywhere nearly enough
information for us to say. Do both you and your mother have the same
edition (Home, in this case), version (full vs. Upgrade), and license
type (OEM vs. Retail) for WinXP? If all you have is an OEM Recovery CD,
are your two computers identical (same Make and model)?

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, or full) with which they are purchased.
For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail
version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa.
An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An
Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line:
Product Keys and CD/license types cannot usually (it's been reported
that the Product Key for a full license will work with an Upgrade CD) be
mixed & matched.


> Also, what do I do when I try to reinstall windows and I get a message
> saying that my product code is invalid? (I ask this because I tried to
> reinstall Windows on my computer and got that message. Is that because the
> code had already been used on my computer once before?)
>


No, it's because you either entered the wrong Product Key, or mistyped
the correct one.

You need to examine the Product Key very carefully. It's awfully
easy to mistake a "B" for an "8," a "G" for a "6," an "S" for a "5," or
a "Q" for a "0" or "O." Fortunately, Microsoft had the good sense to
leave the "1's," "I's," "O's," and "0's" out of the equation. Also, be
sure that your <CapsLock> is _off_ while entering the Product Key --
this isn't supposed to make a difference, but I've seen it do so, on
rare occasions.

Troubleshooting Invalid CD Key Error Message During Windows XP Setup
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;310637


--

Bruce Chambers

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