Windows Activation Key question

[machappymeal]

I have installed Boot Camp successfully and want to use an old XP Pro license that I had on my old Compaq HP computer. I no longer use the Compaq and will part out the hard drive and memory in due course. I contacted Microsoft and explained the situation to them and also explained that I wanted to use my licensed copy of XP Pro on my MacBook. They gave me a new product key so presumably this will work? As I understand it I am licensed to use the product on one machine only and therefore just the macbook? Am a bit concerned to go ahead as i have not done this before. Certainly boot camp has installed and I have partitioned the hard drive correctly so will this all install ok and, more importantly, what happens if it all goes wrong? Do i just start up with the Mac OS X disc 1 that came with the macbook?

Sorry for all the questions - a bit out of my depth here

 

[Timepass]

Ok to help you relax and put your mind at easy.

Yes it will work and for the most part it really easy to do. It tell you on on boot up that it needs to active and you have 30 days to do it. And tell it to do it there will be 2 opitions one is over the web and the over is by phone.

I have done both on different install of XP on different computers. Over the web is 10 times easier to do that the phone one (even though M$ made the phone system really pretty good and easy to do and very well done. One of the best automatic phone systems I used).

As for the web you say active over the web. It connects to M$ secure server which it compares you product key to makes sure that it is unused or the hash number is close enough. If unused it hash generated base on your hardware. This number can not be used to go backwards to figure out what you have. Only works one way.



In laymans terms it really easy to do. And direction on how to do it are very clear and easy to follow. Also it is very user friendly. There are no crazy hopes to jump though. No funny things you have to do. And as I said even the calling them is really easy to do. The automatic system is very straight forward and it will ask for a set up numbers from you will be on your computer screen, And then it will give you a long string of numbers put in. And boom you are done. Internet you just say ok use the web and then it will say Windows XP is now actived and that is the end of it.

 

[slackersonly]

sorry to not have an answer but i am very curious as to how much of a pain was microsoft support when you asked for the new activation code?

i have 2 dells that i have had to put out to pasture. so i have 2 dell only versions of windows xp. i would love to save the $80-120 of a new copy.

how did that convesation with microsoft go?

also, please post your success/problems once you use the code.

 

[machappymeal]

sorry to not have an answer but i am very curious as to how much of a pain was microsoft support when you asked for the new activation code?

i have 2 dells that i have had to put out to pasture. so i have 2 dell only versions of windows xp. i would love to save the $80-120 of a new copy.

how did that convesation with microsoft go?

also, please post your success/problems once you use the code.

I just told them the situation (I am in the UK so not sure how it would be in the USA) and explained that I would NOT use XP Pro on two machines, just the MacBook. They were fine and gave me a 25 digit product key over the phone.

Will try it all tonight and let you know