Windows XP reuse? Options

[Kurtis]

Hey just need some tech advice.

I have a computer that I brought from Warehouse stationary about 6 years ago, and it has xp installed. The thing is a piece of ****, its really slow and freezes a lot, and I think it is due to everything its been through in the last few years also to do with the fact that its family computer, heaps of people have used it and downloaded all sorts of ****. Recently my flatmate downloaded something from a spam email of his and now i am getting pop ups left right and center and its even slower than it was before, its driving me nuts.

About 2 months ago I tried formatting the whole thing, set it back to square one, but it wouldnt let me use the xp code thats already running, like I cant reinstall it. I use a few programs to find the xp code that is being used, I put that in and it said invalid code, so I tried the one on the xp sticker on the computer case and that one was also invalid.

I am also planning to buy a new computer for gaming and video editing, I will probably make one, next year sometime. I want to hold out as long as possible though, so that I get the most bang for my buck. So anyway... XP, should I be able to reuse the one thats on my computer right now? or do I need to buy a new one?

I am thinking of buying a new one off trademe for this computer...but would that mean I would need to go out and buy yet another one for my new computer too? or would I be able to transfer it over? Also is xp the best to run? I heard vista is good but apparently it can slow your computer down a bit?


Any advice would be muchly appreciated as I am a bit of a noob when it comes to how computers work etc.

Thanks.

[Monaro]

As long as it's the same hardware/hardware ID, you should have unlimited activations with that key. You can install and activate it every day if you like because Microsoft's activation service will see it's always the same machine.

By the way you describe it your problem isn't activation - it's that Windows itself is rejecting the key. My guess is that the disc you are using isn't the one that came with the machine. You may have an XP Home key and an XP Home disc, but if they are from different vendors they won't work.

They are usually split in to retail keys (buying Windows in a box off the shelf) OEM keys (buying windows from a no-name generic manufacturer/system builder) or other OEM keys (Dell, HP etc each have their own OEM keys).

Check your sticker and your CD - they're probably different brands.

[Kurtis]

yeaaah...I am using a copied CD from my friend, he said his uncles a PC wiz and gave it to him to reinstall xp on his computer, then my mate gave it to me to use after.

Thanks for the help, I guess ill just ride out this crapper for as long as possible and just try get a pop up blocker or something in the mean time.