Which Key For XP

[sassie05]

I want to do a fresh clean install using a copy of WinXP Home with SP2.

I pulled the Key from the machine using Magic Jelly Bean, but, I also have the product key from the COA on the tower. These two keys do not match.

I do not want to use the bloated recovery disk.

Can I use either Key?

[SufferWell1396]

the Magic Jelly Bean code is the one that works, that one is pulled straight from the registry.

[sassie05]

Thanks for the reply.
That raises other questions.
If the Key from the registry was unavailable would I be able to use the key on the COA?
Also:
Can I use any copy of XP Home?
TIA

[classicsoftware]

What key will work? Who knows. They MUST match the version you are installing. If you are installing a version of XP Pro SP1 the key must match that version.

[Paul Komski]

There are no absolutes here. The extracted key is probably the "generic" OEM key and the COA on the box is probably your own personal key.

For a while the way the OEM's distributed keys allowed one to actually activate two different PCs. This loophole has since been fixed but it does however make it more likely that you will be asked to phone microsoft if reactivation doesn't occur seamlessly when you attempt it. It is also possible that if the OEM install was from a restore partition that the system is auto-activated using the internal OEM key.

The COA on the outside of the box is almost certainly your own personal valid key but it can probably also only be used with that specific PC and operating system version. I think the internal key would result in a rebuff if you try to activate using it.

If reactivation requires MS phone call it is also possible for them to give you a new key to type in.

[sassie05]

Thanks folks

The versions will match. Both are XP Home except the copy I want to use has SP2.

I am trying to avoid the long process of downloading SP2 and removing all the junk that comes with the restore disk.

Thanks again I appreciate the info.