Hi,

My computer needs to be reformatted but I do not have the setup CDs that comes with the laptop. Is it possible to use other CDs and use the authenticated CD key that's being used on the laptop?

Thanks.

Yes you can, but you may lose preinstalled softwares bundled with your system which usually, you don't really need them...

also, if the installer CD is of different version than your original CD key, it may or may not work.

eg. your CD Key is for Windows XP SP1
your installer is Windows XP SP2

It will still work, but if you're using the infamous FCKGW key during XP SP1 era with XP SP2 installer, it obviously won't work because it's banned. Using product key for (example) Windows XP Home with Windows XP Pro installer and vice versa also won't work...

sure can... done that many times... tty 2 use nlite n colmpile xp sp2 if u on9 got xp sp1 cd

Also depends whether it's volume license or retail media, btw. One key won't work for the other type.

The FCKGW (and couple of other infamous keys that came along with pirated XP) wouldn't work with SP1, SP2 and SP3 (if you had it slipstreamed)

It will work fine if you use a normal disc. Shouldn't be a problem. Check the media and check if its a restore disc. Some restore discs might not work if you use it for other PCs. You'll have to provide us with more info

Thanks for the replies guys!

The one on my laptop is a Windows XP professional and I have a copy of Windows XP Professional installation CD which has been SP2 slipstreamed. I believe it's a FCKGW version because it was slipstreamed from a basic/no SP install CD. Will it work?

This post has been edited by seveneleven: Nov 28 2008, 09:16 PM

I am guessing that the CD that you have is a VLK (Volume License Key) edition of Windows XP Professional. If thats the case ,it wouldn't take a serial number of a OEM Version of Windows XP OEM !

But as you stated before prasys, the FCKGW key won't work with slipstreamed disc and seveneleven have slipstreamed disc

Bah whats wrong with me today *slaps himself*. Thanks for correcting me again (lol as I've pointed out before). You don't have much of an option !

You should have get more sleep bro... I'm sleepy already but can't sleep... Guess that moderating job is tiring after all...

This post has been edited by FarCry3r: Nov 28 2008, 10:22 PM

*slaps prasys with a large trout*
hope that helps

i'm getting sleepy meself. posts from both of u doesn't seem ta make sense anymore

So what should I do guys? Find a non VLK/nonSP CD right?

You should just need a genuine Windows XP with SP2 (no integrated SP3 disc I found) if just single PC. If you need it for multiples PCs, just get VLK since VLK didn't need to activate...

how bout buy another cd and install it with new cd key?