Windows Product Key?

My son moved out of town and now wants his copy of Windows XP Pro that he left behind. I have two copies that are idententical except for the product keys.

Is there somewhere in Windows that would tell me which copy to send and which to keep?

Also, will he be able to reuse this disk to put on a new HD in a new computer? Can he put his old HD in a new computer?

Thanks

 

go here to find the one that is on your machine.
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

 

If the disks are truly identical in every respect (not only Windows XP, but the same family such as Full version, upgrade, OEM "For use only on a new PC" etc) then it would not matter which disk as long as he uses the correct CD Key. The post above should find yours.

As to using it in a "new computer", this would only be permitted if the copy of XP was a Full Version and not OEM (shipped with a PC) and he uninstalled it off the old PC, you can only have one active install with a full retail version, and with OEM the licence lives and dies on the PC on which it was first installed.

Putting his old HDD in a new PC (with different hardware in it) will cause Windows XP to have major issues, usually shutting down to prevent damage as it force feeds all the wrong code to new motherboard chips it knows nothing about.

If it did run it would demand a new activation, which could lead to problems as above.

 

Billy thanks for the web site.

Kiwiguy, It told me that the same product register was on both computers.

Let me tell you what I have:

I have three disks. They are English, MS Windows XP Pro w/ SP2 (Product key required).
Two of the disks are labeled November 2004 Systems, Student Media.
The other is May 2005 Servers Student Media/Work at Home Media.

Do these expire? Are they full versions? They have worked fine up to this point.

The sleeves have labels on them too. I suspect that the disks were put in the wrong sleeves.