XP Home multiple installs (same disk)

**dave holbon** · October 30th, 2003

I’ve been building three computers for three different people and have inadvertently used the same XP Home setup disk for all the installs (un-activated). Can I, using the three correct installations disks re-install XP Home over the top of two of the originals installs without having to re-format etc, as a lot of time would be wasted re-installing all the other software? Or will I have to phone up Microsoft for the engineer’s key again?

**perris** · October 30th, 2003

I've installed xp several times with correct keys, and invariably, the user had to register again either on line or by phone.

I thought this was common.

in other words, I don't think it makes a differance, you have to do it in person anyway

**yoyo** · October 30th, 2003

Doesn't matter which cd you used. Question is did you use the same product key? If so you can and will have to change the key for two installations.
See http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;321636
If XP is not yet activated you can likely skip the described registry editing.

**dave holbon** · October 30th, 2003

I used the same product key for all of them

October 30th, 2003

As Yoyo mentioned , as you did not activate XP and it is the hardware differences on these systems that would be the problem, you should be able to do an xp install repair ( 2nd Repair option that comes up) and enter the new product codes on the 2 installations you need.
Should work .......... if not, reinstall as a last resort.

**dave holbon** · October 31st, 2003

Thanks all will try this Sunday and post what happened.

October 30th, 2003	Top \| #1
dave holbon OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: May 2002 Location: London England Posts: 1,014 Reputation: 140 Power: 133	XP Home multiple installs (same disk) I’ve been building three computers for three different people and have inadvertently used the same XP Home setup disk for all the installs (un-activated). Can I, using the three correct installations disks re-install XP Home over the top of two of the originals installs without having to re-format etc, as a lot of time would be wasted re-installing all the other software? Or will I have to phone up Microsoft for the engineer’s key again?

October 30th, 2003	Top \| #2
perris OSNN Godlike Veteran Joined: January 2002 Location: new york Posts: 12,258 Reputation: 4333 Power: 291	I've installed xp several times with correct keys, and invariably, the user had to register again either on line or by phone. I thought this was common. in other words, I don't think it makes a differance, you have to do it in person anyway IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO

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October 30th, 2003	Top \| #3
yoyo _________________ Joined: July 2002 Posts: 1,557 Reputation: 160 Power: 136	Doesn't matter which cd you used. Question is did you use the same product key? If so you can and will have to change the key for two installations. See http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;321636 If XP is not yet activated you can likely skip the described registry editing.

October 30th, 2003	Top \| #4
dave holbon OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: May 2002 Location: London England Posts: 1,014 Reputation: 140 Power: 133	I used the same product key for all of them

October 30th, 2003	Top \| #5
RogerPhillis Unregistered Posts: n/a	As Yoyo mentioned , as you did not activate XP and it is the hardware differences on these systems that would be the problem, you should be able to do an xp install repair ( 2nd Repair option that comes up) and enter the new product codes on the 2 installations you need. Should work .......... if not, reinstall as a last resort.

October 31st, 2003	Top \| #6
dave holbon OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: May 2002 Location: London England Posts: 1,014 Reputation: 140 Power: 133	Thanks all will try this Sunday and post what happened.