Thinkpads Forum

Hey.

I am planning to reinstall Windows on my X41 which haven't been reinstalled for 2 years or more now.
Last time I followed a guide here to use the Windows files and do a clean install without all the extra IBM software, and also to find the key I should type in during install, as far as I remember.


How is it with the license key on the bottom sticker? I can't use that in a clean install?
The sticker just says Windows XP Professional. Won't I be able to nLite a Windows XP Pro UK iso-image which I am using for my Workstation to include SP3 and then install the english Windows which I prefer over the danish version?
Or will it probably just deny the license key from the sticker during install? If it will install but not just activate at first, I guess it is just a question about calling Microsoft for the phone-activation.

But will I not be able to do this? Just asking before jumping into it. I also have another license for XP that I legally can use but I would prefer to use the license which belongs to the laptop.

Regards,
Martin

You can use the product key found on the sticker attached to the computer to do a clean install and the language does not make a difference. So even if the computer came with Danish WinXP Pro you can still install a english version of WinXP Pro and it should activate without any problems without having to call MS as long as the hardware is not changed. If it does not activate over internet for some reason you can always call MS and tell them it's a reinstall on the same computer, but i've done this in the past without any problems. As far as i know this is fully legal.

There are two different versions of WinXP Pro though and the installation media is not the same. The license key on the sticker is for the OEM version of Windows which is another installation media then the retail/vl version. The OEM product key will only work using the OEM version so you need the installation media for the OEM version of Windows. The OEM license basically follow the computer and not the person so you can use the product key legally for that computer only. If the computer change owner so does the license. A retail license is not tied to the computer. Using the retail/vl installation media the product key found on the sticker will not be accepted during the installation.

Ahh yeah... Thank for your reply Wiz.

The UK Windows XP Pro I have at hand is a retail version to be used on multiple computers. I have it from msdnaa.

I will take a look on getting an english OEM version.