Windows Product Key  | | 
July 3rd, 2009, 01:33 PM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 12
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Have recently replaced Mother Board as a result had to have Microsoft reactivate Windows XP. Microsoft did not recognize Windows Product Key from sticker on back of machine.I am the original owner have had machine since 02 and no one has done any work on it except myself. One of the reasons I kept the same HD is I wanted to save some things that would take me a good deal of time to replicate. I have the original OS disk but I'm told that it will wipe the drive when I reinstall. I sure would like to find a work around for this.
Thanks,
Bill
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July 3rd, 2009, 01:50 PM
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#2 (permalink)
| | ph34r t3h g04t
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Kingsford, MI
Posts: 19,387
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You should be able to reinstall Windows from the CD (if it's an install CD and not a restore CD) and it will ask you if you want to format the drive or not. Simply do NOT format it and it will leave all the files currently on the drive intact. You'll likely have to reinstall some programs, but all the data will still be there.
However, have you called Microsoft about this issue? It may be a common problem and they can help you through it without having to reinstall at all. | |
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July 3rd, 2009, 02:57 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 12
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I have called Microsoft and they say I should get support from the OEM.
Bill | |
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July 4th, 2009, 06:29 AM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Ride 'em Cowboy
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 8,702
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July 4th, 2009, 03:56 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: CCC by the Sea
Posts: 777
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If all else fails put the old MOBO back in the machine and boot to the old drive then use magical jelly bean or Belarc to find the Key , oem's seldom use the key on the sticker.
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Last edited by Foggy : July 4th, 2009 at 04:00 PM.
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July 4th, 2009, 04:17 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Instigator
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Healdsburg, CA
Posts: 12,253
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Is the "original OS disk" you have a recovery disk from a manufacturer such as Dell or Gateway, or an actual XP OS install disk from Microsoft?
If it's a Microsoft disk you can try this: How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install. This will leave all your programs and files intact, while reinstalling the operating system to a fresh state.
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July 5th, 2009, 10:35 AM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Ultimate Member
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: South Jersey
Posts: 8,678
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Dell provides an actual OS disc, not a recovery disc. But with a Dell, you do not need to enter an activation key. | 
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