XP Home OEM Change Key.

[Paintballkev812]

I and my friend bought the same dell computer a couple of years ago. He is careless with his dics and he broke his reinstall cd. I still have mine. We both have our legit Product Keys, and I know how to change the Key after installing windows. I am going to make him a copy of my dics, but I want to change the cd key on the disc to his key. So my question is, What files do I need to edit/How do I change the cd keys that will be on the burnt disc? I plan on using an ISO burner like Power ISO to rip the image onto my computer, edit the needed file(s) and then burning the image to a new disc for him to keep

[Cmptr-Gy-Dv]

should be able to just install with the disks and use his key

[EXreaction]

You can use nLite to change the serial number and create an install disk (you can also include service packs, updates, drivers, etc).

[osprey4]

When installing from a Dell OS reinstallation disc (or dics, if you prefer), you should not need to enter the license key. However, if you are prompted to do so, you should use the key on the case. The disc does not have a key, so in theory, you can use any Dell disc to reinstall any Dell that came with the same OS.

[BipolarBill]

Yep - just make him a copy (preferrably an ISO too because CDRs deteriorate) and tell him to use his key.

[billy_bob]

Originally Posted by osprey4

When installing from a Dell OS reinstallation disc (or dics, if you prefer), you should not need to enter the license key. However, if you are prompted to do so, you should use the key on the case. The disc does not have a key, so in theory, you can use any Dell disc to reinstall any Dell that came with the same OS.

I installed a Dell OS reinstallation disk to another Dell with the same OS. Like you said, it did not ask for key.

If I install it on yet another Dell, I assume it will use the same built-in key? If so, will I be locked out from doing updates since it is on two computers?

The Dells have MS Key stickers on them for XP Home. I tried (using Magic Jelly bean 2) to change the key to the one on the system case - same OS - but it gave me an error.

Do I need an OEM disk instead of a re-install disk?

Thanks for any help.

[osprey4]

Each Dell desktop or laptop has its own license (on the case of a desktop or the bottom of a laptop). So you can use the same OS reinstallation disc for as many Dell systems as you like (of the same version, that is, home or pro). The disc itself does not have a key.

[EXreaction]

Originally Posted by osprey4

The disc itself does not have a key.

Yes it does.

[billy_bob]

Thanks. After installation, I viewed the key on the system but it would not allow me to change it to the one on the case - I figured that if I installed on another Dell, that it would generate/have the same key and therefore not allow updates to one or both of these machines. Since I have two systems with keys for the same OS, it appears to be a legitimate way to go.

I will post the error I received using MJbean to try and change if that would help.