Windows Xp Disc
Which Windows XP Disc goes with which Computer?
I have 6 computers in the office, and 2 that have been "retired" I have 8 Windows XP packages (one for each computer) all of which have been stored together. How do I know which disc goes with which computer? I have 3 copies that are SP1, so I know 2 of those go with the "dead systems" but how do I tell which?
So if one of my systems needs a reinstall I should use the activation code on the computer not the one with the disk?
It does not matter.
It would only make a difference if those disks were heavily modified versions of XP provided by the system manufacturer that contained modifications and updates specific to a certain system. If that were the case, however, the disks would most likely be clearly labled with that information.
Other than that, if you simply have three computers with three standard Windows XP SP 1 installation CD's then it doesn't matter which CD goes with which computer. Microsoft doesn't give two shakes which CD you use to install Windows on a computer... the only thing they care about is that you use only one activation code per computer. So you can use ANY of those discs with ANY of those computers as long as you only use each activation code once. And the unique activation code for each computer should be printed on a sticker somewhere on the chassis.
So as far as Microsoft is concerned, it's not the media that matters... it's the licensing. Large companies that have hundreds of copies of Windows may not even have a CD for each computer... they may buy a small handful of CD's with volume licensing: one CD, dozens of licenses. Just as in your case, the fact that you used one CD for install didn't matter, it's the license that is important.
So... long story short, as long as each of those CD's is identical to each other it doesn't matter at all which one goes with which PC.
***ADDITIONAL***
Yes... most certainly! If your computer comes with an Activation Code, use that Activation Code when you re-install the operating system. If you used the one on the disk and then used that disk on two different computers, you run the risk of using the same code twice. By using the unique code on each computer, you know you're in the clear.
That's why Microsoft requires that all LEGAL OEM installations of Windows come with the Activation Code sticker firmly attached to the computer chassis. That ensures one Activation Code per license.
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How to Install Windows XP Part 1 of 2
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