Re: Repair Install
Shenan Stanley
> I lost my e-Machines system due to a failed power supply. I had to
> replace the motherboard and processor as well as the power supply.
> Can I do a Repair Install using a Retail version of XP Home with
> SP2 Upgrade, or do I really need to buy the full install package?
> The new motherboard does recognize the original drive, but I know I
> cannot boot up from that.
If you can beg/borrow a generic OEM version of the OS you have installed -
you can use that to do your repair install...
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
CliffV
Thanks for the reply, but I will need a valid KEY to do the Repair Install.
I don't mind buying a Retail version, but I need to know if I can use the
UPGRADE(cheaper) version, or if I really need the Full Install package. I
really would like to be "legal" so I can get further MS updates once I get it
running.
CliffV
Shenan Stanley
> Thanks for the reply, but I will need a valid KEY to do the Repair
> Install. I don't mind buying a Retail version, but I need to know
> if I can use the UPGRADE(cheaper) version, or if I really need the
> Full Install package. I really would like to be "legal" so I can
> get further MS updates once I get it running.
Your product Key should be on a sticker on the eMachine. The product key
has little to do with the CD itself - thus why I suggested you get a generic
OEM licensed CD into your possession. The product key is tied to the TYPE
of license (and in rare cases - the service pack level of the CD in the case
of SP2b's I hear.) It is not tied to the particular CD.
Yes you could buy a retail CD and perform a repair install - but you could
likely borrow one and perform the same repair install and then use a tool
from Microsoft to put the proper product key back on your eMachine. Yes -
it sucks tha the eMachines come with cheapo OEM installations and usually
recovery partitions instead of anything useful, like the actual Windows XP
CD - but that does not mean you have to be penalized if you replaced
components in the machine because of a failed hard disk drive.
The Genuine Advantage Product Key Update Tool is only valid for
users attempting to change their current non-genuine Product Key
to a genuine COA sticker or genuine Product Key - all without a
reinstall!
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=50346&clcid=0x409
Although there are many here who would argue (quite effectively) that if you
replaced the motherboard/processor with a non-approved eMachine
motherboard/processor combination - that you have already broken the EULA
and would need to purchase a new copy of Windows XP and install it (and
yes - you could do a repair install and utilize your new key just fine) in
order to stay in agreement with the EULA. Others would argue with them that
the motherboard/CPU replacement you did was of necessity and you should be
able to continue using your computer...
I am not going to argue either way - I know that you could do a repair
install in any manner already mentioned, likely even using the tool I
mentioned and changing it to the Product Key on the sticker on the machine
(that should be on the machine someplace) and technically be just fine -
updates and all. I am not a lawyer and I have read the entire EULA several
times and the definition of a computer is usually put very loosely. So I am
not the one that has to figure out what that means - I just have seen/tried
many of the technical solutions and seen what work the majority of the time.
If you want - buy your Retail version with your new key and perform your
repair install. The one advantage you get is that you now own a copy of
Windows XP that you can transfer from machine to machine without worry - as
long as it is no longer installed on the previous machine - in complete
accordance with the EULA. If your key is missing and you don't think you
can get the old one off the old machine hard disk drive using BartPE and
Magic JellyBean KeyFinder - then from every standpoint - it is the wisest
choice.
Either way - if you do a repair install - you'll need this:
Updates are not installed successfully from Windows Update,
from Microsoft Update, or by using Automatic Updates after
you repair a Windows XP installation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144
(Try it even if you did a clean, not repair, installation.)
(Try it even if you performed some sort of restore - not repair install.)
Shenan Stanley
CliffV
"Shenan Stanley" wrote:
Shenan,
Thanks for the lengthy update. I did find my XP Product Key on the back of
my machine. What is not clear to me is--- Do I use the Product Key of the CD
I am using for the Repair Install, or the Key from the back of my machine?
From your statement that the KEY is not tied to a specific CD, then I assume
I can use the KEY from the back of my machine. Also, thanks for the link to
the procedure(s) to enable Auto Updates after a Repair Install. I expect I
will be doing that as soon as I can get the OS going.
CliffV
Shenan Stanley
Entire thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/browse_frm/thread/825d0f87878a1638/58457701d3595f20#58457701d3595f20
You utilize your key from the back of your machine. The CD - as long as it
is truly a generic OEM - should accept the OEM key from the back of the
machine (the Microsoft Windows XP product key.) If that is an OEM product
key and that is an OEM licensed CD - that's the matching pair you are
looking for.
Now - if you bought/borrowed a Retail CD - that key will not work when doing
the repair - you will have to use the key it come with and then use the tool
I pointed you to and change it afterwards to the product key on the back of
the machine (the sticker.)
CliffV
Thanks for the further info, but evidentlly the CD I "borrowed" is not
"generic".
The Repair will not accept my key or the key from the the CD. I guess I am
confused
as to exactly what a "generic XP CD" really is, and as to where I could even
get one.
It is looking more like I need to purchase a Full Retail package in order to
be able
to do a Repair of my system. Any other thoughts?
Thanks, CliffV
Shenan Stanley
> Entire thread:
> http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/browse_frm/thread/825d0f87878a1638/58457701d3595f20#58457701d3595f20
CliffV wrote:
> Thanks for the further info, but evidentlly the CD I "borrowed" is
> not "generic".
>
> The Repair will not accept my key or the key from the the CD. I
> guess I am confused as to exactly what a "generic XP CD"
> really is, and as to where I could even get one.
A generic OEM CD is one purchased seperately from a computer usually. It is
an unmodified copy. The OEM CDs that sometimes come with the
Dell/IBM/eMachine/HP/etc computers may be modified so they are BIOS-Locked
or they contain the product key in the install itself or a myriad of other
modifications.
> It is looking more like I need to purchase a Full Retail package in
> order to be able to do a Repair of my system. Any other thoughts?
You could borrow a retail CD, use the key from the CD itself to do the
repair install and then use the tool I pointed to in this thread to change
the product key to your own product key after the repair install is done and
your machine is back up and running.
You could also purchase a new OEM or Retail (you come out way ahead despite
the extra cost getting the retail) licensed CD and use it and its numbver to
just do the repair install all around and be done with it.
CliffV
Thanks for all your help. I will purchase a Retail full install package and
do the
Repair Install. At least that way, I will have a "legal" full package with
SP2 included.
CliffV