I recently bought new harddrives for my computers and I bought the full version of Windows XP to reinstall on both computers but when I put in the key on the second computer it says I have used it already. Is there anyway I can use the same key for 2nd computer?
217365
Unless the computers are exactly alike in every specification like processor speed, amount of memory, hard drive space, and cd/dvd drives, no.\n\nMicrosoft has protected itself by forcing Windows XP to report back every now and then, to make sure it is not being used on more than one computer.  There is a file however, that you should make a backup copy of, in case you need to replace a hard drive and reinstall XP.  It doesn't happen every time, but sometimes Windows will think it is being installed on a different computer, so placing this file in the system will tell it otherwise.  When purchasing Windows XP directly from Microsoft, they will give you a 10-15% discount on additional copies, but each license is limited to one single computer.
12712
If you have the Windows CD provided with your computer (or one you bought yourself), turn on the computer, let it boot, put the CD in the drive then restart.  The computer should boot from the CD and you will be able to reformat your drive using either a "quick" or "normal" method with the NTFS option, I honestly don't know what the difference is but I use the normal option.  Once that is done you will be able to reinstall Windows.\n\nThat was assuming Windows XP.
441553
Well, run the windows XP setup from Windows 2000 and when you're prompted whether to upgrade or new installation, select "new installation" and chose the drive letter in a further step. There you go. Windows XP + Windows 2000 Pro
3324
1.Contact the microsoft, give your previous key and they will help u \n2.Download or Order the CD (they will sent it to u for free, but it will ask for activate within 30 days) of windows xp 2 from the link below
464835
What Operating System is your old hard drive running?  It's possible that you might get away with it if you're running Windows 98 or even ME.  However, XP will not run.  XP checks for hardware changes, and too many changes will cause XP to fail at boot (as a security/piracy measure).  \n\nThe best thing to do is to plug it in and try.  Nothing to lose.  However, if you're running XP on your old drive, it's not worth the time.  A completely new system will certainly not boot.
552573
if you have your own valid key  for the same operating system, then yes.. you can use their disk.  When it asks, you just input your own information.
181734
If you still have the other harddrive then I would reccomend that you make in the Master drive and the new drive the Slave.  This way you will not need to reinstall your office programs because they will be on your primary drive.
294204
it is illigal to run multiple pc's using xp\n\nmicrosoft are now checking for illigal copies when you update\nif found you will be asked to buy a new copy but they dont do anything more than give you an anoying pop up
106388
Well, first of all, its called XP-SP2\n\nAccording to Microsoft Liecensing, you are not permitted to have the same copy of Windows installed on more than one PC-unless you have a license to do so (I mean installed from trhe same CD with the same Serial Number)...\n\nBut, if you register the Operating System online on a different computer (second, third, etc computer), it will register and there will be no problems...\n\nThe only problem is that its not legal!!!\n\nAs for removing the Windows copy from your Laptop, you simply need to wipe out the partition that contains Windows (Normally the "C: Drive")\n\nThis can be done through several methods:\n[1]\n- place the Windows CD in the drive\n- boot from cd-rom\n- go through the installation process...\n- once opted to chose the desination of installation, delete the partition, confirm deletion, create a new one, and format it...\n- after format is complete and before the copying of Windows files, switch off your laptop...(if some files are copied, this is no big deal)\n\n[2]\n- try acronios software and wipe out the partition\nhttp://www.acronis.com/\nwhat you need is Acronis Disk Director Suite 10\nhttp://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/diskdirectorsuite/\ndownload the free trial, create the BootCD, and start off with it...\n\n- otherwise, you can use PartitionMagic\neither PowerQuest PartitionMagic versions, or the 8.05 version which was after its aquisition by Symatec\nhttp://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/system_performance/pm80/features.html
237225
Is there a sticker on the back of the pc with the product key on it? There should be. Do you have the xp install disk?\nYou need one or both or you are out of luck. \n\nIf you have the sticker, key the product key from that sticker into the box. If that does not work, and you have the cd, try reinstalling xp and entering the product key from the sticker. \n\nIf you do not have a product key, you have no way in and you will have to buy a copy of xp or Me or 2000.
49362
There might be multiple partitions, i.e a 2GB C: drive and a 18GB D: drive. If this is the case then you can, of course, still use all of the drive the way it is, but if you wanted to make it all one partition you'd need to format the drive and reinstall windows.
153554
Do you have a branded computer?\n\nI would advise you to contact the dealer for the reinstallation.\n\nYou need to back up the data on the hard drive before you reformat and install windows xp.\n\nMake sure you have the disks of all the other necessary software you may require after the reinstallation.\n\n\nDisconnect all the external devices like an external CD writer, Zip drive (internal also), USB Memory Key, printer, scanner or card readers that may be connected to the system before proceeding with the reinstall procedure.\n\nFirst the system has to be booted through the Windows Xp CD \n\nTo boot from the CD:\n\nEnter the BIOS of the system and change the order of devices used by the system to boot from the CD Drive.\n\nAfter the system boots from the xp disk, follow the onscreen steps to perform the reinstallation.\n\nAfter the reinstallation of the operating system, install the drivers of all the components.\n\nUpdate the system after reinstallation.\n\nI would still advise, if its a branded computer pls refer to its user manual or contact the dealer.\n\nUjjU
68353
When installing XP, did you change the directory in which it was installed to? If you didn't and it was installed to its default location, then don't worry about it. Multiple installations of XP in the same directory is not a threat. It simply copies the program files over and over but does no harm and takes up no more space on your harddrive than a normal installation. \n\nIf you did change the directory that XP installs to, then you should just start fresh over and reformat and do it again --- once!
616425
As I said in my previous post (maybe you missed it), the reason you can't use the Windows XP drive on the laptop with ME is because the Windows XP drive was most likely formatted as NTFS.  Windows ME will not recognize the NTFS format.  Only Windows 2000 and Windows XP will recognize a NTFS formatted drive and they will also recognize FAT formatted drives as well.  Most people are using Windows XP anyway so this really isn't an issue for most.  In your situation, well, you'll have to get access to a machine that has Windows 2000 or XP on it, otherwise... you won't be able to access the data from Windows 98 or ME.  Sorry but that's just the way it is.
177554
What you’ll need: \n\nA Windows XP machine in dire need of a fresh start\n(Without any crucial, un-backedup data on it) \nA Windows XP installation CD with a valid Product Key\n(Preferably the disc that shipped with the computer originally, in which case the Product Key won’t be obviously listed) \nThe CDs and serial numbers of all the software you need to install on your fresh “new” machine \nHardware driver discs that shipped with the PC and any components you added on\n(Optional, but VERY strongly recommended) \nAnother ‘net-connected computer of any OS persuasion with a CD burner, thumb drive, or other removable disk\n(Optional, but strongly recommended, for looking up stuff and downloading drivers in case of emergency) \nOne full day to get your PC fully functioning again. \n\nGot all that? Good. \n\nLet’s get started. \n\nStep 1. Back up your data.\nFirst, make sure absolutely NOTHING you cannot afford to lose is on the drive you’re going to install Windows on (let’s say the C: drive.) Move all your documents and settings off the machine. Back up your Firefox settings with MozBackup, export your Quicken file, SyncBack profiles, Apache configuration and absolutely anything else that you want restored after you’re done. Just make sure it’s off the machine that’s going under the knife. \n\nStep 2. Audit your current PC setup.\nOnce upon a time, I did tech support for Windows 95 PCs, when “Plug and Play” was a fairly new concept that was rightly referred to as “Plug and Pray” amongst my disgruntled technician co-workers. Today, Windows XP is eons ahead of 95 in terms of its amazing ability to detect all the hardware in your computer and install the right drivers for it. HOWEVER, it’s still not perfect. PC’s come with a whole wide range of video cards and network adaptors and Bluetooth thingamajiggers, and it’s very possible you’ll install XP and it won’t know exactly what brand of TV tuner card you’ve got and how to find the driver for it. \n\nSo, before we do anything, we’re going to take an inventory of all the hardware you’ve currently got installed. I used to print a report from Device Manager for this purpose (Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager, Action, Print) but a handy little utility called Belarc Advisor [via Nicholas Roussos] does a nicer job than Device Manager. Belarc will create a report detailing your system, its installed hardware components, software applications and serial numbers. Download the free Belarc, run a report and print it out. Keep it nearby for reference later. \n\nNote: for those of you who do not have the driver discs for all your hardware - go ahead and print out the report from Device Manager in addition to the Belarc report. You’ll need all the help you can get, you brave souls. \n\nStep 3. Take a deep breath, and say goodbye to everything on your C: drive.\nSeriously. It’s all going away now. Nervous? Revisit steps 1 & 2. \n\nStep 4. Insert the Windows installation disk into your CD drive. Shut down your PC. Then, boot from CD.\nThis part is important: do NOT run the Windows installation from Windows itself. Shut down first, and then boot up the machine from CD. My Dell has a little message as it’s booting up that says “Press F12 to boot from CD,” so that’s what I did. If you’re not sure how to boot from CD, check your PC’s user guide for more info. \n\nThe reason why booting from CD is important is because we’re going to delete the C: drive partition where Windows is installed and re-format it. You can’t do this if Windows booted from C:, because it can’t delete the partition from which it is running. \n\nYou CAN install Windows without deleting the partition and formatting, but that means all your program files and other riff-raff that’s collected on your C: drive will still be there when you’re done, just taking up unnecessary space. That’s not the point of all this. Be sure to boot from CD. \n\nStep 5
166629
if u did a back up disc on a pc running xp it does not back up the xp operating system, just your personal data,files etc. you need the xp disc.
203923
it shouldn't be a problem. if you simply installed it twice, then the newer one should have overwritten the older one. if you can see 2 (c:&#92;windows, c:&#92;windows2) delete the smaller number one (the newer one will have a higher number.) Don't rename the 2nd one, because the paths have already been set.