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    Clean install but with XP?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Sen5es, Sep 27, 2009.

  1. Sen5es

    Sen5es Notebook Consultant

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    Is there a way I can do a clean install on my T400 which is running Vista right now but with XP? I have the recovery disc but I heard there is bloat on it. I have an original Windows XP disc how do I find the XP serial number for my T400?
     
    Sen5es, Sep 27, 2009
    #1
  2. gmoneyphatstyle

    gmoneyphatstyle Notebook Deity

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    If the notebook came pre isntalled with vista it doesn't have an XP serial number.

    Here's some info on XP licences you should know.
    http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/...p/thread/036f8cd0-eb64-402f-b0f3-7f1d0a410230

    There are two types of licenses for XP that consumers will encounter, retail (aka full packaged product), and OEM (original equipment manufacturer).

    Retail licenses may be moved from one computer to another, as long as the license is activated on one computer at a time and as long as the previous installation of the license is removed from the previously licensed computer.

    OEM licenses for XP are tied to the first computer onto which they are installed and the license is not permitted to be moved on any other computer. For the purposes of defining what a computer is, since a computer is really just a collection of parts, Microsoft has established that the motherboard is the base or "defining" component, and the OEM license is permanently tied to the motherboard.
     
    gmoneyphatstyle, Sep 27, 2009
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  3. BinkNR

    BinkNR Knock off all that evil

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    I’m just curious… Why legacy Windows XP versus waiting another month and going with Windows 7 (which will have an XP Mode if you are forced to have XP)? Besides, an x86 version of Windows XP won’t be able to work with all 4GB of your RAM.
     
    BinkNR, Sep 27, 2009
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  4. Sen5es

    Sen5es Notebook Consultant

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    Because Windows 7 will cost money.

    So if I do a clean install with a Windows XP disc it'll type the serial key for me?
     
    Sen5es, Sep 27, 2009
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  5. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    How did you acquire the disc? Vista Business includes the right to downgrade to XP Pro. You should be able to install XP with your disc. You don't need to activate it as XP has a free 30 day trial. When you go to activate it you may have to call Microsoft and explain the situation. I don't know if they'll activate it for you.
     
    ZaZ, Sep 28, 2009
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  6. Sen5es

    Sen5es Notebook Consultant

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    I have a downgrade disc from Lenovo. Does anyone know if this has all the bloat and extra software or is it a clean install?

    But I also have a copy of Windows XP install disc from my friend (with no serial key). So if the one that came with Lenovo isn't a clean install disc I just want to install using my friends disc. But how would I get the serial key for it?
     
    Sen5es, Sep 28, 2009
    #6