WIN XP CD-Key?

I am about to build a new PC, but I remember the last time I built a PC and transferred a older HDD to it, it asked me for a CD-Key for XP installed on that HDD. Well in this new PC that I am building, I plan on transferring the same HDD to it. Will it ask me for the CD-Key again?

I do no have the CD-Key anymore and I want to avoid buying a new OS.

I am about to build a new PC, but I remember the last time I built a PC and transferred a older HDD to it, it asked me for a CD-Key for XP installed on that HDD. Well in this new PC that I am building, I plan on transferring the same HDD to it. Will it ask me for the CD-Key again?

I do no have the CD-Key anymore and I want to avoid buying a new OS.

chandlerr_360

Use Magic Jellybean to retrieve your CD key.

I remember my PC Hardware c l a s s that one of the steps to building a new PC and using the original OS on the old HDD was "Pray VERY hard!".

Yes, it was an ACTUAL step. :P

(Indeed, the word 'c lass' is, in fact, forbidden... Fail)

Re-activating Windows from an OEM copy can be quite a b**ch, especially when contacting Microsoft about it.

Usually you would get the blue screen of death and be forced to format your entire hard drive and installing the OS on your new PC. I advise you to backup your entire hard drive before switching it.

MarshalRambo

you can view your cd key on your old computer if you right click my computer properties imprezawrx500

[QUOTE="imprezawrx500"]you can view your cd key on your old computer if you right click my computer properties chandlerr_360

[QUOTE="imprezawrx500"]you can view your cd key on your old computer if you right click my computer properties chandlerr_360

That won't allow you to reinstall XP.

It's probably going to say something like 71231-OEM-2354235-324.

You'll need to run jellybean and get the install key from it. Jellybean will also give you keys for Office and other software installed on it.

EDIT: see my previous post for jellybean link.

[QUOTE="chandlerr_360"][QUOTE="imprezawrx500"]you can view your cd key on your old computer if you right click my computer properties Rusteater

That won't allow you to reinstall XP.

It's probably going to say something like 71231-OEM-2354235-324.

You'll need to run jellybean and get the install key from it. Jellybean will also give you keys for Office and other software installed on it.

EDIT: see my previous post for jellybean link.

[QUOTE="chandlerr_360"][QUOTE="imprezawrx500"]you can view your cd key on your old computer if you right click my computer properties Rusteater

That won't allow you to reinstall XP.

It's probably going to say something like 71231-OEM-2354235-324.

You'll need to run jellybean and get the install key from it. Jellybean will also give you keys for Office and other software installed on it.

EDIT: see my previous post for jellybean link.

This guys right.

Also OEM activation is easy, jsut ring MS, put your CD key in with the keypad and it reads the code you ened to you.

Alright guys thanks for the help, but I have a couple more questions now. For one, will burning the .Iso files onto a DVD disc for W7 RC actually work? Will the default Bios on a new mobo detect the files? With retail OS discs the setup is already pre-loaded, but I worry with a burn disc only the files will be readable and I will not be able to access them through the Bios. Does it make more sense to load W7 RC onto a seprate HDD using my current PC, and then just sticking that HDD in my new one along with the new mobo? I am just no exactly sure how should go about doing this.

Second, if I sell my current PC along with the old IDE HDD that I will include with it (I don't really want to transfer it now, I would rather go completely SATA), what is a safe way to remove all of my information from the HDD? I don't want anyone getting hold of any of my accounts or passwords on it.

Second, if I sell my current PC along with the old IDE HDD that I will include with it (I don't really want to transfer it now, I would rather go completely SATA), what is a safe way to remove all of my information from the HDD? I don't want anyone getting hold of any of my accounts or passwords on it.

chandlerr_360

http://www.dban.org/

Boot and Nuke is a good hard drive wipe utility. Just be sure you have all your info off the drive. :p