alpha-lemming
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Refurb Thinkpad: XP Pro License, Vista COA
Hello,
We just bought a refurbished Lenovo T500 from a reseller. The computer was advertised as having Windows XP Pro, and arrived with XP Pro installed, but no media or license key.
The COA sticker on the back is for OEM Vista Business - can I legally use Win XP Pro? How can I reinstall if something goes wrong?
Thanks!
We just bought a refurbished Lenovo T500 from a reseller. The computer was advertised as having Windows XP Pro, and arrived with XP Pro installed, but no media or license key.
The COA sticker on the back is for OEM Vista Business - can I legally use Win XP Pro? How can I reinstall if something goes wrong?
Thanks!
wantabe2
I'm guessing this laptop was bought with a license for Vista but will work legally with XP. The only way to find out for sure is to get the original paperwork or call Micro$oft & let them check the license for you. As far as getting the media to load it, any mom & pop computer repair shop should have a disk to loan orent" to you as long as you have proof of a valid OS license.
You can use this tool to retrieve your key: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder. Does the laptop have a recovery partition or utility? If so you can create restore disks.
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You cannot legally downgrade an OEM installation.
Although the install you have is activated it doesn't fufil the license terms associated with the CoA sticker
However it could be a retail installation - in which case the supplier should have provided you with the activation key or media.
Go to <Right-Click> My Computer <Properties> Under Registered you'll find a number in the format XXXXX-XXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXX
Post the first and second block of digits and we can identify the installation disk used for the XP install.
See also http:A_3218.html for more detail on the XP OEM install.
Although the install you have is activated it doesn't fufil the license terms associated with the CoA sticker
However it could be a retail installation - in which case the supplier should have provided you with the activation key or media.
Go to <Right-Click> My Computer <Properties> Under Registered you'll find a number in the format XXXXX-XXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXX
Post the first and second block of digits and we can identify the installation disk used for the XP install.
See also http:A_3218.html for more detail on the XP OEM install.
@MASQUERAID : I'm sorry but you're wrong.
Windows Vista Business OEM and Vista Ultimate OEM legally allow you to downgrade to Windows XP...
It is the same for Windows 7 Pro OEM & Windows 7 Ultimate OEM.
See Microsoft website for more info and the how-to : http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx
Windows Vista Business OEM and Vista Ultimate OEM legally allow you to downgrade to Windows XP...
It is the same for Windows 7 Pro OEM & Windows 7 Ultimate OEM.
See Microsoft website for more info and the how-to : http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx
Agreed - I should have said not all versions - you can with Business and better, Let's see what the Product ID code reveals.
>> How can I reinstall if something goes wrong? <<
2 ways : make an image of the disk
or make an install cd : http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml
2 ways : make an image of the disk
or make an install cd : http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml
Dear,
i see that isus but when you are Purchas the laptop then delear give the cd like window vista
but install the winow on the system is XP . you need the only media of window xp from the dell side
thay have already key in the Media disk No require the cd key
just Take the dell opreating cd window xp that s it
i see that isus but when you are Purchas the laptop then delear give the cd like window vista
but install the winow on the system is XP . you need the only media of window xp from the dell side
thay have already key in the Media disk No require the cd key
just Take the dell opreating cd window xp that s it
ASKER
Thanks!