Copy of XP

cormie

Hi,
I have an authentic copy of Windows XP Pro, authentic serial number etc but my brother sat on the cd and it snapped. Is as simple as copying another XP Pro CD (will an 80min/700MB CD-R do or must it be a DVD?) and just using that? That's legal I take it yeah? If all that is ok, would anyone be so kind to make me a copy please? Where else would I be able to get one without having to pay the full whack of €150 or whatever it is these days?

If this is illegal, delete at will and I apologise.

Any feedback appreciated, thanks.

Endurance Man

Well, i am guessing that its not gonna be as easy as just popping the xp cd in and copying it. It is bound to be protected.
Secondly, u can only use that serial number on the cd that it came with, so a copy wouldnt work, u gotsta buy a new 1 :rolleyes:

Ciaran500

The WinXP home CD has no copy protection on it, I assume Pro is the same.

The keys are not locked to a particular disk.

Endurance Man

The keys are not locked to a particular disk.

Ummm yes, i think they are. I build pc's for my dad and install xp like 3 times a day. Often i just put a cd in, and then im not sure which serial came with it. So i just pick up any 1, triy type it in, and it dont work??

Nukem

Just make sure its the smae as your key. Ya know version and SP,otherwise i dont think it will work.

Nukem

optiplexgx270

Ciaran500 wrote:

The WinXP home CD has no copy protection on it, I assume Pro is the same.

The keys are not locked to a particular disk.

XP discs are not protected no point really in wasting money on encrypting them as the XP platform is so freely availiable.

Chalk

Endurance Man wrote:

Ummm yes, i think they are. I build pc's for my dad and install xp like 3 times a day. Often i just put a cd in, and then im not sure which serial came with it. So i just pick up any 1, triy type it in, and it dont work??

exactly,
because instead of pressing thousands of copies of the same disc,
microsoft make individual discs for each xp serial :rolleyes:

gline

windows xp discs have no copy protection, infact i dont think any windows discs do. There is just a boot section on the disc, so copying the files isnt good enough, youd need to use a copying program like alcohol 120% etc (as long as this IS a legit disc that you have). If it is a home user product then ys the activation code has to match (AFAIK), im not 100% on that though, it may not be the case

Endurance Man

exactly,
because instead of pressing thousands of copies of the same disc,
microsoft make individual discs for each xp serial

Im just posting the experience that iv had with this matter. I install XP a LOT, and i have run into the problem before.

RicardoSmith

Endurance Man wrote:

Im just posting the experience that iv had with this matter. I install XP a LOT, and i have run into the problem before.

I've had the same problem over the years aswell. Same with MS Office. Mind you maybe retail copies are different from OEM versions which is what I usually use at work and at home.

optiplexgx270

Chalk wrote:

exactly,
because instead of pressing thousands of copies of the same disc,
microsoft make individual discs for each xp serial :rolleyes:

Strange that cos whenever i cant find my own CD key i just google one off the net and use it untill i find the real CD key and change it in the registry/using a peice of s/w.

Opps as said above all my Operating system DVD's holding 8-10 Operating systems on each are OEM discs.

Endurance Man

Yes i get mine bulk, like a box with 20 copies in it. Perhaps there is a difference

Endurance Man

Strange that cos whenever i cant find my own CD key i just google one off the net and use it untill i find the real CD key and change it in the registry/using a peice of s/w.

Doesnt that sound very suspicious, .

optiplexgx270

Endurance Man wrote:

Doesnt that sound very suspicious, .

Well i have to be sure to fix it before activation.

The new MS DVD's i got have the CD keys printed on the disc beside the operating systems which means i dont have to do that any more

cormie

Hehe, ok, thanks for all the feedback. It's not an OEM one, as far as I know, I got it off a guy in the buyandsell a few years ago, it came with the XP Pro Box, and all that, I got an OEM of XP home with my laptop but don't have that anymore. So I'm pretty sure it's the retail XP Pro. So do you think I could just get a copy and use my (legit :rolleyes: ) serial? I'm not gonna join the debate. But I will say, if one of you want to prove another wrong, there is one good way to find out, and it you'll be helpin oul cormie while your at it:D

chump

Just DL an iso image of an xp cd and use your own key!
Wont take 5 hours!

KdjaCL

Endurance Man wrote:

Ummm yes, i think they are. I build pc's for my dad and install xp like 3 times a day. Often i just put a cd in, and then im not sure which serial came with it. So i just pick up any 1, triy type it in, and it dont work??

So when cd makes are running 1 millions cds of Xp Pro they change the master each time to ensure each cd is different


There are different kind of keys.
Corp
Home
Pro
Oem

Each will only work on the software that matches the SKU number.


kdjac

CuLT

KdjaC wrote:

So when cd makes are running 1 millions cds of Xp Pro they change the master each time to ensure each cd is different


There are different kind of keys.
Corp
Home
Pro
Oem

Each will only work on the software that matches the SKU number.


kdjac

Heh, was about to post similar, but you worded it better.


Endurance Man, either you're installing a lot of different versions of XP, or your serial typing skills are less than adequate

RicardoSmith

KdjaC wrote:

So when cd makes are running 1 millions cds of Xp Pro they change the master each time to ensure each cd is different


There are different kind of keys.
Corp
Home
Pro
Oem

Each will only work on the software that matches the SKU number.


kdjac

We had this discussion here before. All of mine would be Corp or OEM and I can't mix keys. I've never tried with the ones that came with own PC's, because theres no point. I know that when I was installing 2000 PC's one summer we couldn't use the software that came with the PC's for this reason. Which is (one of many reasons) why we ghost them all with a Corp edition.

cormie

So by any chance, would anyone be able to make a copy of XP PRO Retail CD please?

Endurance Man

Looks like i need to defend me self . With OEM versions u cannot mix keys. This buisness of running 1 million copys and them all being identical is crazy?? There are many cd products on the market which do not allow u to interchange cd keys, its not something new :rolleyes: .
Production lines are very advanced nowadays, and i dont think changing each cd very slightly is a challenge for these machines.

optiplexgx270

Well in our offices we have 60+ machines running xp pro various (dell supplied disks/in house oem disks all using random numbers out of a list of 60+ keys and we have never had problems with the keys) anyways back to the main topic unless you can get a copy of a disk the best suggestion so far is:

Just DL an iso image of an xp cd and use your own key!
Wont take 5 hours!
by chump

cormie

where would be the best place to get the iso image? what if I download the OEM version of pro? uh oh...


thanks for the tips!

Anyone around Bray who could burn a copy? I could collect and replace the blank CD or whatever:)

SouperComputer

TBH I use the exact same OEM disk ISO to install XP pro and Xp home OEM about 5 times a day on average on different machines, using the keys on the machines. Everything from home brew PC's to Dell, Sony, Toshiba any make you can think of without a problem. The ISO is from a bog-standard original OEM disk. Rather than trash it all he time, I made an ISO and burn whatever I need.

The only time a key has not worked for me is when I typed it wrong!

Production lines are very advanced nowadays, and i dont think changing each cd very slightly is a challenge for these machines.

its an extra, unneeded cost. M$ aren't one to throw away money!

Endurance Man

its an extra, unneeded cost. M$ aren't one to throw away money!

Do u really think Bill gates would mine splashing out a bit to ensure that his cd's where copyright safe, and therefore making him more money :rolleyes: , i highly doubt it.

cormie

The only XP Pro iso that shows up is the SP2 one:( There is no definite way to know if the one I download is actually the one that will work with my serial is there

SouperComputer

Endurance Man wrote:

Do u really think Bill gates would mine splashing out a bit to ensure that his cd's where copyright safe, and therefore making him more money :rolleyes: , i highly doubt it.

LOL, as if it would actually stop or reduce piracy. Starfarce is a prime example of protection that has failed! Or activation for that matter.

The OEM disks are not protected, I can only comment on XP home in retail as it is all I have used one. Again the disk is not tied to one SN. In any case, they are sure as hell not "copyright safe".

Anyway, this is getting OT..........

Cormie I dont have a XP Pro Retail im afraid

CuLT

Do you really think they'd go to the expense of making each CD different?

You're just making stuff up now, think about the practical processes involved in actually implementing what you're saying.
Just off the top of my head, they wouldn't be able to use disk production lines because if one disk was out of place or was a bad burn, all the keys would be out of order.

And that's only the most obvious one that popped into my mind.

Though I'd love if you provided some more of these other CDs that only work with a unique key and no other.

Endurance Man

But there i game cd's out that will not allow u to interchange cd keys ??

SouperComputer

cormie wrote:

The only XP Pro iso that shows up is the SP2 one:( There is no definite way to know if the one I download is actually the one that will work with my serial is there

if your Key is coming from a genuine COA, then it will work fine with that image. A retail key might not work with it though.

cormie

Sorry, but what's a COA? The XP Pro I have came in an XP Box, the box was the same size as the game boxes that pc games used to (not sure if they still do) come in, and it had a fold out booklet with XP in the centre, the serial on the back and a little pouch for the manual on the right hand inside leaf. I assume that's the retail version yeah? I don't want to go and download a 600mb file to find out the serial doesn't work

Endurance Man

Ok cult i just had a wave. At the moment the xp installed on my machine is not activated, u have 30 days to do this. I went online a few days ago to activate and was told that the the key i was using had excceded the number of times u are aloud to authenticate it.
If a bunch of people where all installing xp via the same key that limit would be reached very quickly.
It doesnt prove my theory about keys right, but its another reason why u couldnt do this, is it no??

CuLT

Endurance Man wrote:

Ok cult i just had a wave. At the moment the xp installed on my machine is not activated, u have 30 days to do this. I went online a few days ago to activate and was told that the the key i was using had excceded the number of times u are aloud to authenticate it.
If a bunch of people where all installing xp via the same key that limit would be reached very quickly.
It doesnt prove my theory about keys right, but its another reason why u couldnt do this, is it no??

beh?

So, you're saying... a lot of people can't install from a single key, yes?

Which is perfectly normal (unless you purchase a volume license or something), but they could all use the same disk a thousand times with a thousand different keys and it wouldn't make any difference.

Or are you saying something else?

SouperComputer

cormie wrote:

Sorry, but what's a COA? The XP Pro I have came in an XP Box, the box was the same size as the game boxes that pc games used to (not sure if they still do) come in, and it had a fold out booklet with XP in the centre, the serial on the back and a little pouch for the manual on the right hand inside leaf. I assume that's the retail version yeah? I don't want to go and download a 600mb file to find out the serial doesn't work

sounds like retail alright. Just checked again and I definatly only have the XP Home retail disk, no Pro

you could try the key on an OEM disk, but im pretty sure it wont accept it. Any joy finding a retail ISO?

k cult i just had a wave. At the moment the xp installed on my machine is not activated, u have 30 days to do this. I went online a few days ago to activate and was told that the the key i was using had excceded the number of times u are aloud to authenticate it.

im not quite sure what you mean here.

Endurance Man

Ok i think iv found my answer . The cd's keys are not tied to a singe cd but they are tied to the version of the operating system:

Retail Home needs a retail Home CD Key
Retail Professional needs a retail Professional CD Key
OEM Windows needs an OEM CD Key
Volume Liscensed Windows needs the CD Key for that Volume Liscense

etc...etc...

Thats where i must have picked that up.
With regard to sharing cd keys, this cant be done, thats what i was trying to point out, but now i realize thats pretty obvious :rolleyes: . Stupid ass me, i think this lack of nicotine is really going to my head

Back on topic, cormie, it now depends on which version u have. U siad it was Pro, but was that service pack 1 or 2 ??

cormie

SouperComputer wrote:

sounds like retail alright. Just checked again and I definatly only have the XP Home retail disk, no Pro

you could try the key on an OEM disk, but im pretty sure it wont accept it. Any joy finding a retail ISO?

I'm not too sure where I should be looking for the retail ISO Thanks for checking for me:)

Endurance Man

I think u would need to find out:
A: if its retail
B: if its service pack 1 or 2.

Then u can determine which cd u are going to need to make it work.

cormie

Endurance Man wrote:

Back on topic, cormie, it now depends on which version u have. U siad it was Pro, but was that service pack 1 or 2 ??

Yes, I have Pro Retail version, there was no service pack on it. I had to download Service pack one when I installed XP first. Then I had to download SP2 when that came out too. I have SP2 as a file anyway so this isn't a problem, I can just install it and dont have to download it again:)

Endurance Man

Well wish i could help, but iv only got oem versions, and a lot of them at that, i couldiv given u an original cd ,sorry.

cormie

Thanks anyway, pitty.

What exactly is the OEM version? Does it install loads of un necessary stuff from the computer manufacturer or does it just install the necessary files to run XP?

jesus_thats_gre

Am researching something for a project at the moment about the costs that the likes or Dell incure but the only info I cannot find is how they **** you go about licensing XP for resale.. It honestly is a nightmare to find on google or ms.com..

maidhc

You didn't try contacting Microsoft? I know most companies wont give out new media, but it might be worth trying. You have after all bought a licence to use it.

Its a bit rich when companies sellling music/software/dvd's argue for the purposes of their IP battles that you are not buying a disk, but a licence to use their intellectual property. Then to try ripping the customer off a little more if you loose/break the CD and want to use that licence again they argue you need to buy another licence (€150) rather than a new cd (€0.10) - the inference being you bought tangible goods like a glass or plate and broke it.

cormie

Well my brother has the CD and box at the moment so if they ask my serial I wont be able to tell them. Do you have a contact number by any chance?

If anyone has XP Pro Retail (no service pack edition) and could copy it for me I'd cover the costs and can collect within reasonable distance.:)

WizZard

cormie wrote:

Well my brother has the CD and box at the moment so if they ask my serial I wont be able to tell them. Do you have a contact number by any chance?

How do you plan on installing it if you don't have the key??

This page tells you how to go about replacing MS software if the media is damaged.

Good luck.

Clinical Waste

Endurance Man wrote:

Well wish i could help, but iv only got oem versions, and a lot of them at that, i couldiv given u an original cd ,sorry.

I'll take an OEM disk if you are throwing any away. My Sony Laptop came with XP. Licence sticker and number but only a reinstall disk version of XP. An OEm disk would allow me to reinstall XP without all the crap Sony software as well.

cormie

WizZard wrote:

How do you plan on installing it if you don't have the key??

This page tells you how to go about replacing MS software if the media is damaged.

Good luck.

I don't have the key if they ask me for it when I ring up, I'll be able to get it off my brother later though when I need to install it. Thanks for the link, unfortunately it says proof of purchase is required, which I don't have as I got it off somebody from the buyandsell:(

zuma

This thread is getting awfully close to talking of illegal acts!!!

Im not going to continue...but we all know how you can get your copies of WinXP as a last resort!!!

WizZard

zuma wrote:

Im not going to continue...but we all know how you can get your copies of WinXP as a last resort!!!

That statement seems to promote [strike]piracy[/strike]copyright infringement...

@cormie,
You don't really have a leg to stand on tbh. Try ringing MS and see. Perhaps you could give them the dates it was first activated and some details about the hardware.

cormie

An OEm disk would allow me to reinstall XP without all the crap Sony software as well.

Are you sure? I thought all OEM disks come with the manufacturers excess baggage?

zuma

Surely it's not illegal for somebody to copy it for me though It's a simple back up, right? I wouldn't be requesting if I thought it was illegal

zuma

WizZard wrote:

That statement seems to promote [strike]piracy[/strike]coptright infringement...

@cormie,
You don't really have a leg to stand on tbh. Try ringing MS and see. Perhaps you could give them the dates it was first activated and some details about the hardware.

This entire thread is about tnemegnirfin thgirypoc!!!

cormie

Is it legal or not for me to be asking for a copy of Windows XP Pro Retail (no service pack edition) so

Should have just put this in the Wanted forum :rolleyes: